Should the bride and groom sit with the bride's family or the groom's?

Question

Ideally, we would sit with both families, but both families are too large to combine at one table. Each table holds 8 to 10 people. I don't like the option of a sweetheart table or long head table that faces the room.

Family members are:

*Bride and groom

*My parents (groom's parents are deceased)

*My brother, his wife, 3 kids (8 year-old + 2 teens)

*Groom's brother, wife, 2 kids (p*****n and teen)

*Groom's sister, wife, 1 kid (10 years old)

*Groom's sister's best friend who was widowed less than a year ago, and sticks to groom's sister like glue.

Some options would be:

*Sit with groom's family as they're from the opposite coast and we hardly ever see them.

*Sit with parents and all siblings + spouses, and have a kids' table for their children. (No room for groom's sister's best friend at adult family table though and she might be pissed.)

*Sit with groom's side for meal and bride's side for dessert (or vica versa).

What do you think of these options? Or perhaps you can think of a new option.

Answer 1

I assume you mean the head table -

Head table - Bride/Groom/attendants

Table one - His side adults

Table Two - Your side

Table three - Kids table.

And to tie it all together, have their tables be a mini replica of your head table.... (for instance, if your table had 6 candles, they would have 3)

Answer 2

At a wedding reception the bride and groom have their own table and they either sit there alone or they sit with the members of their bridal party.  They do not sit with either set of parents to symbolize that they are now starting their own independent family so they are not seated with their parents but with each other and their peer group

Answer 3

I think it would be nice to mix up the adults so both of your families get to know each other. Seat the kids at a separate table close by.

During to reception you will need to "make the rounds" so you probably  won't be sitting down for long. Why not sit with the kids? Or seat your self and a couple tables and rotate through the night?  

Answer 4

As to not offend anyone, you should either sit with your bridal party or at a special table for the two of you. Keep in mind that you won't be sitting much at all.  You will be mingling, dancing, be taking photos etc. It is really just a place to grab a quick bite or drink, sit for the toast, place for your flowers etc.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both.

Answer 5

have a head table and have the bride and groom, the bridesmaids and their counter parts (one walking with them) and tha tis all head tablethat will cause no trouble with who to sit with and have a table set up for your parents and his parents and whom they want nearest to them period that will be ok then.

Answer 6

Generally the etiquette is to sit with the bridal party, extending the invitation to the parents only.  However, since the groom's parents are dead and there is no bridal party, it might be best to have you, the groom, your parents, and have the groom's brother and sister (not including their spouses) assume the places of their parents as they are the closest IMMEDIATE family.  It may seem slightly rude, but the weddings I have attended where this has been done (siblings standing in for deceased/hospitalized/unavailable parents) have always gone smoothly.  Most people tend to understand this is a special occasion for family, and have the most immediate family only at the head table tends to help cut down confusion.

Answer 7

These are your basic options.

You sit in the center of a head table, with your families on either side of it. The head table can be as long as you want to make it.

You sit at the head table with your parents on either side of you.

You sit at a separate table in the center of the hall, and your family sits at separate tables around you.

What you do not do is sit with one family and leave the others out - no matter how far the groom's family has travelled or how seldom you see them.  

Answer 8

Have all the preteens watch the little kids at a separate table. So the grooms' sisters' friend gets a little mad...it's not her day. The day belongs to the bride & groom. No one else. Set all bad feelings aside.

Answer 9

I'd sit with the adults from both sides and have a separate table for the kids. It's your wedding and u don't have to do or have anything you dont want. It's stupid to do something because its tradition when it doesnt apply to you. In the end you'll probably not spend very long at the table any way.

all the best.  

Answer 10

At my wedding, the bridal party was at the head table with my husband and I in the middle. (long table)  Our parents had tables that were the closest to us. (round tables).  

Answer 11

Usually the Bride and Groom sit with the Wedding Party...when arranging the rest of the family and sitting arrangements you usually try to keep the brides parents to the side of the room that the Bride is sitting and the same with the Grooms parents (But close enough to be able to talk with each other - like at tables beside each other)...as for the rest you usually want to kind of intermingle everyone together so they can meet and talk with each other...

Answer 12

I like the idea of doing dinner with the family you don't see often and dessert with the other side. Talk to them first so they understand why you are doing it that way. I am sure they will be flattered that you would rather sit with family than have a sweetheart table.  You should be up and moving around a bit tanking everyone for coming, so its not like you will be ignoring them by moving around for the meals.

Answer 13

it is the bride's and groom's special day.  the families should be sitting with them, starting with the parents (or substitutes) on both sides. and order of relevance from there.  You cannot please everyone,

Answer 14

Depending on the size of the bridal party, could you all sit at a round table that is by the other tables?  It would avoid the long head table and choosing a family.

Answer 15

I know this does not fully answer the question but possibly make a childrens table and have parents and siblings ( both sides) sit with you

Answer 16

Have a Head Table that sits

Grooms Mother

Grooms Father

Bride

Groom

Brides Mother

Brides Father

If you don't want a header table just make it a normal table in a prominent position. Then on the tables either side (honor tables) have the siblings and their families.

Answer 17

I would either sit alone with just your husband, or sit with both your parents and his parents, and just have 6 people at that table.  

Answer 18

, Have a table made for. Bride, Groom , Maid or Matron of honor and Best Man. That way the table won't look crowded. And no one will feel hurt or left out, And you should have a special table. You don't have to be facing everyone, have it set up in the middle of the family's tables. And the rest of your guest will be able to see the Bride and Groom better.      No Bridal Party. than who was your witnesses? Have them sit with you at a seperate table.  Another choice just sit with your parents. If the Grooms parents are gone.

Answer 19

have a small table just for the bride and groom.  

Answer 20

Just sit with the parents or just the bride and groom at one table you can't make everyone happy.

Answer 21

have a "head table"

the entire bridal party sit therre.

then have tables for the families

:D