Reception Table Idea

There are many different ways you can set up the tables in your reception hall. In order to decide what setup works best for you, think about the size of the room, the number of guests that have been invited, the type of food being served, and the activities that will go on throughout the evening.

Round Dinner Tables

If you are serving a sit down dinner, or a buffet dinner where guests will sit down to eat, a round table would work well for you. With round tables, groups of guests can talk comfortably in a dinner environment, because these tables usually seat eight to 10 people comfortably. Round dinner tables are also a good reception table idea if you are having a large wedding, because you can seat a lot of people at various tables and still encourage conversation.

Small Cocktail Tables

If you are having a reception with appetizers and cocktails, small top tables might work the best. The tables will be ideal for guests to set down drinks and appetizers throughout the reception, while still allowing room for the guests to mingle and move comfortably throughout the night. This is also a good idea if you are having a lot of guests, and also if you have planned for a lot of dancing and other activities that require a lot of room. Small cocktail tables are inconvenient if you have a lot of children at the wedding, or people with handicaps that are unable to stand or reach the table.

Banquet Tables

Depending on the style and layout of the room, you may choose to use a banquet style setup for your reception table. A common banquet table layout makes a large "U" with the bridal party at the short end, or bottom, of the U and the guests seated along either side. This type of table may be ideal if your reception is in a narrow space, or if you only have access to square or rectangular tables. This seating arrangement also works well if you have a lot of couples or singles, or a lot of people who don't know each other, because each guest really only needs to talk to the people on either side of them.