So it’s time to get started on your table plan, but who should sit on the top table? The answer really depends on whether you want to stick with tradition or not.  Below are a few pointers to help you decide.

Bride and Groom in the centre, then both sets of parents and then Maid of Honour and Best Man. Making a top table of 8.

If you already have kids you might like to include them on the top table, either having just Bride and Groom and children or depending on space and numbers including all parties in the traditional set up and having the children as well.

If you are faced with the dilemma of having divorced parents who don’t want to sit together the easiest way to deal with this is to mix the parents up, e.g Mother of Bride sits with Father of the Groom etc.

This can be tricky, especially if you have a step parent who has been a signififcant part of your life for a good period of time and you want to include them, but at the same time, you don’t want to upset any biological parents present. So there are a number of ways to deal with this:

1. Include both biological and step parents on the top table if there is room
2. Explain to the step parent that you would love them to be on the top table however there just isn’t room and then make sure and mention them in your speech, ensuring they feel included and valued.
3. Keep the top table just for Bride, Groom, Best Man and Maid of Honour.

This is becoming increasingly more popular. This is a top table designed just for the Bride and Groom. This is a lovely and intimate idea allowing some ‘just you’ time before the evening entertainment starts and the party gets underway. Usually the Bride and Groom spend much of the evening reception socialising with guests and have very little time together, so this is a great idea that allows you to sit back, take it all in and create some shared memories.