When you’re creating the perfect celebration, part of making it memorable is making sure your guests are comfortable. Stuffing too many people around a small table leaves little elbow room to enjoy dinner and socializing. In order to plan well, you must first ask: how many people can sit comfortably at an 8 or a 6 foot table, or whatever size you will be using. This article will help you decide how to make dinner seating work seamlessly and ensure a perfect day!
10 People – If you need to fit 10 per table, that would be 4 on each side and 1 on each end.
8 People – You can fit 8 per table comfortably putting 4 on each side, or 3 on each side and 1 on each end.
Children – Smaller children take up less space and you may get 5 to 6 on each side.
The customary allowance is two-feet of space per person minimum. This allows room for glassware and elbows of course!
Once you determine the answer to the people per table question, you will be able to determine how many tables you will need. Here is the formula:
*Take your guest list and your wedding party and divide by how many you want to put at each table. For example, if 8 people are going to sit at the table:
150 guests + 16 Wedding Party = 166
150 Guests / 8 = 19 Tables
16 Wedding Party = 4 Tables to line up and make a Head Table
So the total is:
23 tables total if you use a Head Table for your Wedding Party
21 tables without a Head Table for your Wedding Party
The head table will be 4 of the 8 ft tables placed side by side with the wedding party sitting on one side facing the guests, four at each table. See sample image below:
You will of course need a few extra tables for things like:
Cake
Gifts
Guest Book
Depending on the type of look you are trying to achieve, you will need 1 table cloth per table. Here are some of the sizes:
Casual Mid-Length – 60” x 120” Rectangle
Formal Floor-length - 90” x 156” Rectangle
Centerpieces can be a little trickier. You will want to leave space for table settings, favors, and your guests:
2 Centerpieces – If your center piece design is a bit large, go with 2 centerpieces.
3 Centerpieces – If you can get away with smaller centerpieces, you can have 3 on each table.
More centerpieces along the center of the table if there are several linear pieces such as green vines.
How many people can sit at an 8 ft table? Eight is more comfortable than ten because your guests will have more space, but there are more things to consider:
Accessorize! Keep centerpieces small and fewer in number and use accessories like strings of ornamental pearls, flower petals, and votive candles.
Simplify glassware. Keep wine glasses off the table until dinner. Have the wait staff bring them out when it’s time to pour dinner wine. Any cocktail or drink glasses can be removed before dinner as well. Champagne flutes can be brought out at toasting time.
Ditch place cards and favors. Unless your wedding is a very formal one, ditch the place cards and favors for more table space. You can place wedding favors on or near your cake table.
