Wedding Seating Plans: Top Table Or No Top Table?

The top table is usually the starting point for most wedding seating plans. Traditionally, the top table has a rigid setup, with the happy couple in the middle, surrounded by certain members of their families and wedding party. However, this approach has diversified in modern times, and there is no need to stick to a prescriptive formula.

The top table is usually the starting point for most seating plans

Wedding seating etiquette dictates that the happy couple should be front and centre, with certain members of their families and wedding party by their sides on a top table. But, as we all know, weddings aren't a one-size-fits-all situation. If you're keen to follow etiquette rules, there is plenty of advice available. Equally, if you're not into tradition and prefer to do things differently, there are many unique top table ideas to consider.

For example, the US-style head table can be a useful alternative when parents have split up and are possibly with new partners. In many cases, it is helpful to abandon the restrictions that tend to come with top table plans. Ultimately, the top table can be arranged in any way you choose.

The top table usually consists of the couple's immediate family

The top table is usually the starting point for most seating plans. Traditionally, a wedding top table has a rigid setup, going from left to right: maid of honour, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother, best man. However, this approach has diversified in modern times, and there's no need to stick to a prescriptive formula. The top table can be arranged in any way you choose. Wedding seating etiquette dictates that the happy couple should be front and centre, with certain members of their families and wedding party by their sides on a top table. If you're keen to follow etiquette rules, you may want to stick to tradition. However, if you're not into tradition and prefer to do things differently, there are plenty of alternative top table layouts you can use, including the US-style head table. Some layouts can be particularly useful when parents have split up and are possibly with a new partner.

Wedding seating etiquette dictates that the happy couple should be front and centre

Traditionally, a wedding top table has a rigid setup, with the maid of honour, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother, and best man. However, families often don't fit this mould, and the thought of looking out over the room can be a turn-off for some. There's no need to stick to a prescriptive formula, and you can arrange the top table in any way you choose. For example, if your parents are divorced and have new partners, you might not want to seat them next to each other.

If you're keen to follow etiquette rules, there are ideas to help you plan your seating plan by the book. But if you're not into tradition and prefer to do things differently, there are also unique top table ideas to consider. Your top table should always be considered in the broader context of your overall seating plan.

The traditional wedding top table setup goes: maid of honour, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother, best man

The top table is usually the starting point for most wedding seating plans. Traditionally, the wedding top table has a rigid setup: maid of honour, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother, best man. However, families often don't fit this mould, and the thought of looking out over the room can be a turn-off for some. Wedding seating etiquette dictates that the happy couple should be front and centre, with certain members of their families and wedding party by their sides on a top table. But weddings aren't a one-size-fits-all situation, and there's no need to stick to a prescriptive formula.

If you want to stick to tradition, you can follow the setup above. However, there are plenty of alternative top table layouts you can use, including the US-style head table. Some layouts can be particularly useful when parents have split up and are possibly with a new partner. If you think the top table arrangement is going to make or break your wedding reception, there is no harm in asking your planner, venue, or your VIP guests where they would prefer to be seated.

You don't have to stick to tradition, there are plenty of alternative top table layouts

Wedding seating etiquette traditionally dictates that the happy couple should be front and centre, with certain members of their families and wedding party by their sides on a top table. However, there is no need to stick to a prescriptive formula. If you're not into tradition and prefer to do things differently, there are plenty of alternative top table layouts you can use, including the US-style head table.

The top table is usually the starting point for most seating plans, but it can be arranged in any way you choose. It's worth considering carefully whether you want your guests to be mingling freely without assigned seats, or getting to know their neighbouring guests during a sit-down dinner.

Some layouts can be particularly useful when parents have split up and are possibly with a new partner. In many cases, it is helpful to abandon the restrictions that tend to come with top table plans. For example, you don't have to put your divorced parents next to each other, especially if they have new partners.

If you think the top table arrangement is going to make or break your wedding reception, there is no harm in asking your planner, venue, or your VIP guests where they would prefer to be seated.

Frequently asked questions