Let me say this right off the bat – I really do not like the concept of a wedding head table. Having the happy couple and the bridal party sit at their own special table front and center for everyone to observe is not my idea of special treatment. I don’t know, maybe it’s me, but I see a lot of downsides in doing this. My position is that a couple’s table (for the bride and groom only) is far better. Follow along with my logic below…
In my opinion one of the worst parts of having a head table at your wedding reception is that many times significant others must sit apart. In other words, the maid of honor might be at the head table whilst hubby is at one of the “regular” tables. For these couples, it truly must suck, especially when the left-out partner doesn’t know anyone at the wedding. Yes you obviously are not going to be confined to your chair all night, but wouldn’t it be better if couples could be together all night long irrespective of whether one of them is in the bridal party or not? This problem is 100% eliminated with a couple’s table.
The second reason to eliminate the wedding head table is that you will avoid the potential for flat out pettiness amongst family members who might feel slighted if they are not part of the head table “inner circle.” For example, the mother of the bride or a special grandmother might feel like they’re entitled to the “privilege” of sitting at the head table, but in reality this is just not what the tradition entails. But try telling that to half-senile 95-year old grandma. Avoid this potential problem by ditching the head table altogether.
The third reason to ditch the head table is that a couple’s table promotes more intimacy, and isn’t that something that you’d want the day of your wedding? A couple’s table offers the opportunity to spend a little QT with your new spouse, which is always a nice break from the organized chaos of the big day. Plus it will actually allow you a little time to enjoy some of what you’re been planning for the previous 6 months. It will also provide additional opportunities for cute pictures that would otherwise not be possible at a head table.
The bottom line is that I cannot come up with a good reason to have a wedding head table. The only reason I can think of is to put the bridal party on display under the proverbial spotlight, but this certainly does not benefit the happy couple. Yes your wedding guests might like having you on display, but that’s not what your wedding day is all about. It’s about sharing good times and great memories with people you care about. It’s NOT about having the guests gawk at the members of the bridal party as if they’re displays in a china cabinet. Bet hey, that’s just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. So I’d LOVE to hear your opinion on this! Drop me a comment below and let me know what YOU think! In the meantime, check out this great article discussing wedding head table alternatives.
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