Pros and Cons of a Sweetheart Table

It’s an iconic image: a wedding reception filled with happy people, the newly married couple sitting at the helm, looking upon them with glee. We are so accustomed to traditions that highlight the couple in a wedding (and oftentimes rightfully so!) that we sometimes don’t question whether such traditions work or us.

If you are working on your wedding’s seating plan, there are surely lots of considerations that you’re currently weighing– who would want to be near who? Who definitely won’t want to be near who? Which single friends can we set up? However, you may not even be thinking about where you’ll sit.

Keep reading for all of the pros and cons of sitting at a sweetheart table.

What is a Sweetheart Table? 

A sweetheart table is pretty simply just a small table set up at a prominent point in the reception venue for the newly married couple to sit at alone. It has two chairs and two place settings, making it only the two lovebirds at the table. It is also usually set up so that the couple are facing all of their guests, easily able to chat and watch the party.

This is commonplace in many weddings, however, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a hotly debated wedding choice. Some people feel that a sweetheart table is long out of fashion, and that other seating arrangements are more appropriate. However, there are many pros and cons to be weighed.

 

Sweetheart Table versus Head Table

Instead of the mega-exclusivity of the sweetheart table, some couples have opted to instead go for a head table, which would have the couple, plus some key members of the wedding party, like parents, the maid of honor, or the best man. This is quite like a sweetheart table, but is a bit larger to accommodate for others.

This may be more appealing to people who want to honor close family members, like parents, who may have even paid for the wedding and therefore may want to be highlighted. It also is good if you expect to have a very exciting conversation at the wedding– the sweethearts might be exhausted, but the entire family is surely rowdier!

If you do opt for a head table, plan on how to decorate it with these ideas!

 

Do I Want a Sweetheart Table at my Wedding?

If you’re considering a sweetheart table at your wedding, you probably are on the fence and are trying to weigh the pros and cons. While there are a lot of things to keep in mind with seating charts, where you and your spouse sit should be the least of your worries. Thankfully, you can keep reading for a few considerations to keep in mind.

It also partially depends on how you are decorating your wedding tables. Can your table decor translate into a smaller table? What sort of decor would you like on it? If you have something a little special in mind, then the sweetheart table might be a good choice!

 

Pro: Intimate Time with Your New Spouse

The biggest and most obvious pro of a sweetheart table is that you get to spend special time with your brand new spouse, giggling about the magic of the wedding so far and making honeymoon plans! For many couples, there’s a concern that the hustle and bustle of the wedding day will take away from the day’s meaning, which is to honor their love.

The sweetheart table is the perfect opportunity to quell these fears. By spending dinner and dessert with your new spouse, you’re setting the tone for a lifetime of dinners together on the most special day of your lives.

 

Con: Less Time with Guests

The obvious flip side to that pro is a con, which is that you obviously get to spend less time with everyone who came all the way out to celebrate you if you’re spending large chunks of the night just with your partner. This may be awkward or concerning for you, especially if a lot of your guests are traveling for the big day.

This is definitely a legitimate concern, because you obviously would actually be spending less time with guests. While for some, this may be a relief, for others it’s a loss, so that is a con to keep in mind.

 

Pro: Approachability Factor

That being said, the sweetheart table may make it easier for guests to approach you, which is definitely a pro! Since the table would be in a very visible place for the rest of your guests, it will be easy for them to approach you and start a conversation about how fabulous the wedding is!

While you’ll still certainly still have to get up on those heels and make the rounds, having a place where guests who want to chat know to find you is a good thing for you and your wedding. It creates a central spot where anyone who would like to speak to you can find you.

 

Con: Too Special on Your Special Day?

On the other hand, you don’t want to come off as elitist, making all of your guests come to you instead of opening the floor up to them. By placing you and your new spouse in a “special seat”, guests may feel alienated or awkward.

While this is definitely a con to be mindful of, it also is really dependent on your demeanor. As long as you avoid being a bridezilla, this may be an unlikely worry.

The best way to avoid coming off as strange or isolated at a sweetheart table is to be warm and welcoming to all wedding-goers, and to get on the dance floor once the food is done!

 

Pro: Lets Your Guests Get to Know One Another

Further, seating yourself at the sweetheart table allows you to get creative with your seating charts and to let your guests mingle amongst themselves, building relationships between loved ones who have not met before now. 

This is a great opportunity for you and your spouse to observe who is connecting, and to keep the peace in the unfortunate circumstances that some guests aren’t getting along!

 

More About Your Wedding

Here at Yeah Weddings, we’re here to help with every part of the wedding planning process. From wedding guest book ideas to decorating your wedding on a budget, keep reading for everything you need to plan the perfect day.