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UK Bride Member Request 4 Oct 2017

Between my h2b and I we have 4 sets of parents. We are very fortunate that...

Between my h2b and I we have 4 sets of parents. We are very fortunate that everyone gets on well. Our problem is the top table. It is getting bigger and bigger. Do you think it is ok to have the top table as just us two? Has anyone else done this? Also seems like a really good way for us to just relax.

89 Comments
Lucy Lewis
Lucy Lewis 4 Oct 2017

Hi it is becoming more common just to have the Bride&Groom on the top table. It is called the sweetheart table :)

Katie Halstead
Katie Halstead 4 Oct 2017

I'm having the same quandary! Let me know what you decide!

Rachael Louise
Rachael Louise 5 Oct 2017

Got the same problem I'm thinking about scrapping the top table and just having a main table

Niki Roberts
Niki Roberts 5 Oct 2017

We're having a sweetheart table, I don't like it when the bride and groom leave the table and the middle is empty. I also didn't want my mom sitting there without someone to talk to as my dad passed away a few years ago.

Ellen Blossom
Ellen Blossom 5 Oct 2017

I'm thinking of just family on our table. As much as I'd love our MOH and best man I'd rather keep it small and simple. As others suggested you could have a sweetheart table, where it's just you and your H2B. Hope you find your answers!! Xx

Vicki Allen
Vicki Allen 5 Oct 2017

I went to our venue last week to see it all set up and the bride and groom had their own table.

Naomi Chappel
Naomi Chappel 5 Oct 2017

I think it is a lovely idea and definitely a way to relax x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We didn't have any parents at the top table. It was myself, husband, best man, my uncle (who gave me away) and my three bridesmaids.

Paige Warwick
Paige Warwick 5 Oct 2017

if i had family and that on mine, it would be awkward so i’ll probably just have me and my hubby to be xxxx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We just had the 2 of us for the same reason It was actually really lovely and we got to chat through out the meal and catch up ️

Laura Stewart
Laura Stewart 5 Oct 2017

It's your day, the pair of you can have your own table

We have the same issue that I have lots of parents. We've decided on no top table and we are spreading everyone out on all tables xx

Gemma Wilson
Gemma Wilson 5 Oct 2017

We have decided to just have us 2 on the 'top table' I dont think we'll get any other time for jut us and so I think its a great way to be on our own for just a bit at least

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Me an my W2B are just doing bridal party so both sets of bridesmaids an joint best man. We have 3 sets of parents (I have 2) so they all get there own table with family members.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I've got no parents on the top table, I have 3 bridesmaid, best women, witness and my son who is giving me away

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Yes it's called a sweetheart table and more and more couples are doing this now x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

My husband I did this, it's called a sweetheart table! To be honest I'd recommend it to anyone, it was so intimate and meant that we actually had time to ourselves for a little bit and could eat in peace haha but our guests still came over to chat between courses :) I've even seen sweetheart tables where couples leave an empty chair or two on the other side as an invitation to guests to come over. I'll post some pictures so you can see how it worked for us

Our parents were happy with it too, it meant we had a table with my mam, her partner and my siblings with my dad on (who all get on really well so were happy either way), and a table for my husbands mam, her new husband with all their friends and a table for his dad, his parter and their family/friends.

Like I said though, I'd recommend it to people who don't really NEED to not have a top table. It was really lovely.

A member uploaded image

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Yes absolutely. It's called a sweetheart table. I went to a wedding where they did this and this is what we want to do

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

My top table was bride, groom, best man, page boy and bridesmaids with no parents due to the same reason xx

Anita O'Sullivan
Anita O'Sullivan 5 Oct 2017

We're having us 2 MOH/ Best Man and our 2 sons ... everyone else will be on other tables ..

Bryony Hamm
Bryony Hamm 5 Oct 2017

I decided to have just the bridal party, so us, bridesmaids and best men, not including their partners. That’s only 6 of us. But this is because my parents are divorced and don’t get on, and instead of cussing any tension I wanted to keep it simple. In the grand scheme of things it’s only for an hour or so then everyone can move about or do what they want!

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I’m having a parents table as they all get along, and then the top table will only have myself, groom, MoH and best man on. To complicated as I have two sets of parents to try and fit them all on, plus it would look uneven which I don’t like

Julianne Heffernan
Julie Heffernan 5 Oct 2017

Our top table will just have us with our bridesmaids and groomsmen. We have 3 sets of parents and they will be sitting on sepetate tables. X

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We are planning on a top table being just us 2! Have 3 sets of parents and feel it would be easier just us!

Lizzy Carter
Lizzy Carter 5 Oct 2017

We went to a venue that had a top table for just the couple, the chairs were like thrones. I also went to a wedding where the step parents didn't sit at the top table.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We have 4 sets of parents so we had all of them and us, so there were 9 in total but we had a very big room so fit in perfectly

Catherine Burt
Catherine Burt 5 Oct 2017

We're having a sweetheart table, everyone has commented that it's a nice idea. Let's the bridesmaids and best man sit with their partners for the meal, and will let you and hubby have time to talk as the rest of the day is mad 😊

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We didn't have a top table as such. We sat on a round table like everyone else where the top table would normally be. With us sat the best man and his wife and the bridesmaids and their partners. It was a lot more relaxed and we were able to converse better too

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Have a sweet heart table instead. Just yourself and hubby to be..a big top table is traditional but back then divorce and break ups weren't as common so it's not always as easy or suitable to do it the "right" way these day! Go for a small one and have a smashing day!! X

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Or a round top table maybe with you and your maid off honour that be twelve if I'm correct I've seen this done before

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Absolutely fine! Remember it's your day not there's so just what makes you happy! Good Luck!

Siobhan Knight-Potgieter
Siobhan Knight-Potgieter 5 Oct 2017

We did this and I wish we hadn't as whilst our guests where having lovely conversations we were sort of facing out, not looking at each other and felt almost 'on show'

X

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

wished I'd thought of that lol centre of attention was not my thing kept thinking omg leave me alone then I realised oh I'm the bride in this big dress ... haha x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Sweetheart is fine. Give each set of parents a table to host and spread the bridal party between them

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I went to a wedding where it was just bride and groom. Was lovely apart from when one went off to the loo and one was left on their own 🤣

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

besides you decide what goes x hope this helps x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We having a sweetheart table (just the 2 of us)

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Im just having bride and groom because of the same issues too much family!

Saskia Gerasch
Saskia Gerasch 5 Oct 2017

We are just doing bride and groom then maid of honour and best man

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I'm having a sweetheart table with just the two of us, then having longer tables near (but not too near!) ours so people will FEEL like they're on the 'top table' without there actually being one. You try that, or suggest that each set of parents hosts a table?

I think a table for just the two of you will give some time for you to actually see each other, as people often say they don't spend much time with their new spouse on the day! Good luck :)

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

My cousin had top table with just them and their bridesmaids and ushers then 4 'table 2s' one for each set of parents that were equal distance away from the top table as each ithrr

Rachael Pascoe
Rachael Pascoe 5 Oct 2017

Went to a wedding recently in Canada and they only have the bride and groom plus the best man and the maid of honour... worked really well!

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We're doing just the two of us at top table! Too many sets of parents & a big wedding party, think it will give us a space for ourselves & make our parents and wedding party feel like they can talk to everyone a bit more easily ️

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

My daughter is doing this.its this wkend..she has same problem.they have a son so he will be on the top table with them.they are having round tables for the rest of the guests...will look lovely.xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I am just having me, my h2b, our son and stepdaughter. Mother-in-Law died several years ago and don't want Father-In-Law to feel uncomfortable and no one else we would want to ask to sit next to him. So just keeping it simple.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Me and my husband to be are just having us two on our top table. Unfortunately both my partners parents have passed away and it just doesn’t feel right without having them there. Xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We aren't having a top table :) x

UK Bride Member 5 Oct 2017

Me and my h2b have 4 sets of parents but we also have 4 children so we are gonna have it so our kids are on the table with us and have a table with just the parents right next to us then siblings on another bridal party and the grooms men all be sitting with their familys then

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Bride n groom ,best man n matron of honour or bridesmaid

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We are doing a sweetheart table. Top tables are too complicated and quite unsociable if set up on a straight line.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We did, and it was great! Guests came to see us at the table.and its a nice moment to just sit back and watch everyone getting along amd having fun.

A member uploaded image

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Mel Cox

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I have seen the bride & Groom situated at top of 2 long oblong (tressel type tables) which held 30 people The bride & grooms table was horizontal and like a love chair style - it looked lovely...

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We had a similar situation, ended up going for us two, our maid of honour, best man and their dates. Explained to all the parents and they were fine with it :)

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We are having us, my sister (my bridesmaid) and my partners best woman and that’s it! Otherwise ours would be too big too with parents etc!!

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We were in a similar situation, so we decided to have my two bridesmaids and the best man only. It is a really hard decision to make though :(

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

i had us and our children

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I have the same 4 sets, all are happy for my mum and dad and his mum and dad to be at top table and step parents to be on the other tables. Everyone is happy with that in fact it was their idea which makes it easier

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Becoming a very popular thing! It’s called a sweetheart table. We are having our best man and maid of honour other halves with us on top table rather than them and parents as we also have 4 sets of parents x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I've been to a wedding where the top table was just the bride and groom. It looked well cute.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Some people do have what’s known as a sweetheart table just bride and groom. We are in same situation so we are having bridesmaids and groomsmen on the top table and parents hosting a table.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Me and my husband just had a table for the two of us! Xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Top table for just bride and groom is what we did for my daughter when she got married and it worked great. Everyone was happy.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

At our wedding this year our top table was me, my husband and our 3 kids, that's it. Gave us a little moment to talk to each other as well lol x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

My friend had kids and best men and maid of honour

Sharon Lockyer
Sharon Lockyer 5 Oct 2017

We are not having a top table. All the tables are round and will be placed in a circle with me and h2b on a smaller table on our own. We are trying to make it a relaxed event if that is possible lol

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We have 6 parents between us and so are having us and the parents on the top table, everyone else will be on normal tables. X

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Ours was husband my daughter and me. That's all we wanted too much drama otherwise

Emily Barnett
Emily Barnett 5 Oct 2017

I attended a wedding recently where the bride and groom had a sweetheart table and the divorced parents were sat on different tables with their new partners it worked better that way as nobody was left out

Sarah Jenkinson
Sarah Jenkinson 5 Oct 2017

I have seen other couples have just the two of them at the top table. At the end of the day it's whatever you & your partner decide as it's your day x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We had a collection of family and friends on ours and we had round tables. We're not formal enough to have a top table x
We put our parents with their family and friends on tables around us x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

We have 2 children and a very relaxed reception, our top table was just us and the kids, was lovely xxx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

I had me, my hubby, our 2 daughters, best man and maid of honour, for the same reason, my mum and Dad both re-married and didn’t want to cause any arguments x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 5 Oct 2017

Once the wedding meal.is over and the music starts i.shall as mog (when not dancing) be circulating with guests.
Weddings i have been to.mob.and bride and groom do tol

Celine Harland
Celine Harland 6 Oct 2017

We had just our wedding party hubby, myself, bridesmaids and groomsmen. Parents at two front tables facing us

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

I got married almost a month ago and my top table was just me and my now husband, to be honest..... I wouldn't of changed it for the world, not only did we get to see everyone, they got to see us and it also gave us precious moments together, we barely got chance to speak to each other at all on the day so I really appreciated this time together, what ever you do I'm sure it will be amazing and all I can say is enjoy it! It goes way to quickly x

Coral Butcher
Coral Butcher 6 Oct 2017

We had our own top table, we found it was difficult to split people up (as my MOH had her boyfriend and our best man bought his wife and kids etc) it was nice to have some time together, we had a spare chair close so people came up and chatted with us when waiting for the food. It was lovely and can work well x

A member uploaded image

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

We had a sweetheart table and it was lovely, we actually got to talk to each other and just chill, I would definitely recommend doing it if you like the idea of having alone time and simplicity x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

yes of course x

Ana Lopes Costa
Ana Lopes Costa 6 Oct 2017

Tasha preferring the sweetheart table idea..would make it easier to seat our families as well 😂

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

Go for the sweetheart table with just the two of you. Then have your guests on other tables x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

Me and my partner have decided on a sweetheart table of us and our daughter in the middle

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

We had a sweetheart table for a few reasons. People who would've been on the top table were on tables either side of ours. They were able to sit with their families/partners and we got a bit of time to chat and take it all in.

I read afterwards about someone who had 2 empty seats at their sweetheart table so people could come and sit and chat to them in between courses etc, which I think is a nice idea x

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

We had a similar issue with three sets of parents and our young children, ended up just having ourselves, best man, maid of honour and two young children. None of the parents were bothered. They just spread around with the other guests.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

We had our maid of honour and our best man and us and it was lovely!

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

I'm doing just the 2 of us and everyone else will be on table in front of us.

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 6 Oct 2017

im having both parents and moh and best man

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 7 Oct 2017

We had parents at the top table and step parents at a nearby table. Worked well for us

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 7 Oct 2017

We had parents at the top table and step parents nearby, however it's your day and only you 2 should decide xx

UKbride Administrator
UKbride Administrator 8 Oct 2017

We had bridal party on the top table and all 6 parents had a table together which was ace cos they get on really well, obviously wouldn't work if there was any animosity but it was perfect for us.

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