Top Table Dilemma!!

shinytrousers · 8 July 2012 at 8:21AM

I wouldn't mind at all to be honest. When I was maid of honour a couple of years ago, all the bridesmaids and ushers were sat together on a table closest to the top table - this worked fine and we didn't actually spend that much time in our seats anyway.

Personally my top table can only fit parents, brother and sister on as my parents have divorced and remarried - there are only so many seats you can squeeze around a table!

Just explain your dilema beforehand, I'm sure everyone will understand.

daisiegg · 8 July 2012 at 8:59AM

I think it's normal to just have maid of honour and best man on top table. Our other two bridesmaids will be sitting with their partners which I think they'll prefer anyway!

YoungBaker · 8 July 2012 at 11:20AM

Definitely just MOH - I have been to a few weddings lately and they have all only had the MOH and best man. Then maybe a table up the front with all ushers/bridesmaids/important guests etc.

nuatha · 8 July 2012 at 11:30AM

lmckerchar wrote: »

Hi everyone,

We have fallen in love with our dream venue where the traditional top table is set on a podium.
However it only seats 8 and we have 9 in our bridal party. I'm having 2 bridesmaids one of whom is maid of honour.
Is it acceptable to only have the maid of honour at the top table and to seat my other bridesmaid with her family, plus one and the flower girl? Don't want to feel guilty on the day and personally I wouldn't mind if it was me but I'm worried she will be offended.
Any advice?

Thanks x

You could ask her if she'd prefer to be seated with her plus one, family and flower girl rather than at the top table.

lmckerchar · 8 July 2012 at 12:00PM

Thanks everyone!
She is my cousin and will be sat with the rest of her family as well as the flower girl (other cousin) and her family. They will be at the table next to the top table.

I'll speak to her anyway but feel a lot better knowing that the traditional seating is only for maid of honour anyway!

Thank x:)

mrsbunntobe · 8 July 2012 at 1:04PM

We are just keeping ours dead simple, Bride, Groom & Parents as our MOH has a baby and Best Man is OH's brother so don't think he'd fancy sitting and getting drunk with his parents

lisajane8482 · 8 July 2012 at 5:25PM

I always thought the tradition was the top table seated bride, groom, both parents, best man and maid of honour and that was it.

Silaqui · 8 July 2012 at 5:40PM

I don't get the problem here - if you had 6 bridesmaids you wouldn't have them all at the top table would you? Just the MOH and Best Man was what I thought?

split_second · 8 July 2012 at 6:53PM

the top table seating plan you should have is what works for you, tradition is great in theory but doesnt work for everyone. last wedding i was at there were i think 10 of us on the top table, the one before i think chief bridesmaid was at top table and the other wasnt, chief bridesmaid was groom's sister and other was bride's sister

minerva_windsong · 8 July 2012 at 8:18PM

I would just explain the situation to your bridesmaid - if she's a good friend she'll understand. If it was me I'd be quite glad to not have the pressure! Unless you know she wouldn't be happy about not being on the top table and then swap her with the maid of honour, or don't have either of them on the top table but on a table nearby instead.