Photos: Azzura Photography
Just as important as where you're going to hold your wedding reception is how you'll arrange the room's layout. What seating you choose has almost as much influence on your party's vibe as the food you serve, flower arrangements, centerpieces, reception lighting, and type of venue. So which type of tables should you use in your ballroom, barn, or outdoor tent? Dallas event planner Tara Wilson gives us the lowdown on your wedding reception table options—pick one, or mix things up.
Round Tables
"There's a sense of intimacy here," she says. "You can see everyone, so you feel as if you can talk to all eight or ten people—even though you can really only speak to the two guests on either side of you."
Rectangular Tables
"It's gotten very popular. You feel more like you're at a dinner party or a restaurant and less like you're at a banquet."
Square Tables
"If you fill a reception hall with rectangles and rounds, adding a few squares can break things up visually."
Cocktail Tables
"High-top tables for two or four are great for the perimeter of the dance floor. They're not quite as comfortable as the other options, so they encourage guests to get up and mingle instead of lingering at their tables."
—Sophie Brickman
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