CREATING YOUR WEDDING FLOOR PLAN
When you think of making a statement with your wedding decor, table layout may not be at the top of your mind. Getting creative with your floor plan, table shapes and sizes has HUGE potential to up the atmosphere of your reception from “eh” to luxury vibes.
So, let’s go beyond seating all of your guests at 60-inch round tables and put on our creative caps!
Besides allowing dimension in varying centerpieces, your floor plan assist in maximizing your space, and choosing your personal company during dinner. Keep reading for floor plan ideas and a free download with floor plan diagrams to get you thinking!
PLANNING your TABLE LAYOUT
When creating your reception floor plan there are a few things that will influence your decision:
Guest count
Are you hosting a micro wedding of 30 guests or are you planning to invite an extended group of 120? Do you have a large family and plan to invite 300?
Venue space
Indoors or outdoors? Tented wedding? Is your space segmented like a historic manor, or is it wide open like a luxury barn? Are there columns or other obstructions? Does your venue have any restrictions or codes to follow for floor plans?
Location
Where is your dance floor or where would you like it? Where will cocktail hour be held? Will you have to flip the space between cocktail hour and the reception?
Company and guests
Who do you and your spouse want to sit closest to during dinner? Family, bridal party, just a few VIPs?
Rental Company
Have you hired your rental company? And do they offer the types of tables you want?
The Most Important Seats
The two most important seats on wedding day are yours! Think about who you want to be surrounded by on wedding day. You can choose to sit with your bridal party, join your family and friends at a harvest table, have a sweetheart table separate from the rest, or have your sweetheart table close to your VIPs.
The Sweetheart table
For a moment alone with your new life partner, a sweetheart table is for you! A smaller, usually four or six foot table these can be placed at the front, side or middle of the space.
You have the option to be completely separated from other tables and make a statement with some large floor floral arrangements. A second option is to place your sweetheart table against or in very close proximity to your VIP tables. Giving you time with your spouse, as well as your most important people. Both of these options are illustrated in the download.
Ditch the Head Table for a Harvest Table
Also known as a King’s table, this is one of my favorite options. This large table seats the couple, their bridal party with their significant others and/or immediate family. This gives a special seat to the most important people in your life. A harvest table also makes conversation between multiple guests easy, unlike a traditional head table where everyone faces front.
This table can be positioned in the middle of your floor plan or on display at the front of the room. How your space best allows, you can place it horizontal or vertical, or a U shape. Take a look in the free download for some inspiration!
floor plan styles
Banquet Style
I have a soft spot for long elegant long banquet style tables (especially when they’re farm tables!) They do a beautiful job of elongating your space, and can accommodate the most beautiful centerpieces and runners.
These can be set in sets of two or three 8-foot rectangles to create extra long tables to seat up to 24 or more guests each. Other options include spaced 8-foots to fill a larger space, set in a U shape, or a large square surrounding your dance floor. If you are hosting a micro wedding you can create a long singular banquet table canopied by cafe lights. For a visual, check out the diagrams below.
Download these Reception layout diagrams for floor plan inpso!
Mix of Round and Rectangle or Square
Create some interest in your space by mixing round and square tables throughout. Add a harvest table down the middle of the mix and set it apart with some statement centerpieces. This way you are guaranteed to be surrounded by all of your loved ones.
When mixing round and rectangular tables you can alternate table shapes and sizes. Think about creating long banquet tables complimented by groups of rounds or alternate square tables with rounds. I include some multi-table-shape floor plan diagrams in my free download along with some inspiration photos.
Show me some floor plan diagrams!
In conclusion, you can get creative with your wedding floor plan! It’s a great way to add a personalized touch to your big day. Your floor plan has potential to inspire a luxury atmosphere at your reception and maximize your venue space. If you have a unique layout you’d like to try - go for it! Chat with your wedding planner to craft a beautiful wedding celebration.