Who sits at the head table at a wedding?

Question

I have 4 bridemaids/ushers and a flower girl/ring bearer plus me and my future husband. That makes 12. Do the parents also sit at the table?

Also, during the entrance at the reception, I know they usually announce the grandparents but my grandmother is 90 and because she can't walk very much, she won't be walking down, I'd like to announce her in some way but not sure how to get the attention on her for a second. I feel bad because my fiancee's grandmother is going to walk and I want mine to get some recognition too.

Answer 1

Typically, the head table is you and your husband and then the wedding party. The ushers do not usually sit at the head table, since most people want to keep the table even (same number of men and women). I have seen this done sometimes to include the flower girl and ring bearer too, but really there are no set rules. If they are especially young, you may want to seat them with their parents.

As far as parents go, most weddings have a main family table which will include parents, grandparents, and any special family members that are not in the wedding party. Usually, this table is right in front of the head table.

For your grand entrance, check with your reception site or DJ/band to see if they have special lighting that they can use to illuminate your seated grandmother during the role call. That way she is highlighted without having to make the walk. Or you can have her stand when they announce her.

Congrats!

Answer 2

First of all YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! It's YOUR wedding!! All the old rules are more of traditional guidelines these days instead of laws.

You can have anyone you want at the head table. I had just my husband and myself. Most people put the bridal party at the head table. The flower girl and ring bearer can sit with their parents.

The bride and grooms parents usually sit at a different table with their family members.

What you could do with your grandmother is either announce her and have her stand at her seat or remaing seated and have the person announcing everyone walk over to her. What I would suggest though, is to not announce either grandmother. The grandparents should be seated already when the formal entrance is starting. Usually the announcing stops with the parents of the bride and groom.

Answer 3

I've never seen grandparents introduced. I liked the idea of the MC making special recognition of them before hand though. I dont feel it would be fair to have one walk in and one not, that just doesnt seem right to me and might make your grandmother feel akward.

At the head table it should be your wedding party minus the flower girl/ring bearers, no parents either. The parents are usually given each their own tables where you put the grandparents, and any other important family figures.
At the last wedding I was in, we had our spouses sitting at the head table as well, but that was because most of the bridesmaids and groomsmen were married to eachother, so there would only be 2 spouses sitting at the wedding party spouse table. So my husband and one of the groomsmen's wife sat with us. But it made it better because we all sat boy girl boy girl, instead of the normal girls on one side boys on the other.

Answer 4

Make a toast to your grandparents so they can all be recognized. Or have a point during your ceremony where you present a gift to each of the grandmothers.

"Head tables" are actually falling out of favor because they distance the wedding party from the rest of the guests and contribute to a feeling of "we are the wedding, you are the audience." Also it always upsets the wedding party when their significant others cannot fit at the head table, because they spend the reception away from their spouses or dates.

You might consider a different type of head table, like perhaps bride, groom, maid of honor and best man AND their dates. Other wedding party members can "host" their own tables among the guests.

No, the parents usually do not sit at the head table.

Answer 5

Since it's your wedding, anyone you want at the head table would be the right choice. Traditionally, I believe it's the bridesmaids and groomsmen, although sometimes it's difficult to keep smaller children there without a parent. I've never seen the ushers and/or parents at the head table, but that's not to say it can't be done if that's what you want.

I'm assuming our grandmother will be in a wheelchair, so couldn't you have one of your ushers "escort" her? She would be announced like everyone else. If your grandfather is living, they could be announced just like normal, and he cold walk alongside her wheelchair. Don't worry-your grandmother will be beaming with pride!

Congratulations.

Answer 6

At the head table...it is bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. I didn't have my ushers/parents/flower girl sitting there. As for you Grandma take a moment after everyone has entered and have the D.J. announce her then when she is already seated...just give a little "shout out" to her. My Grandmother just recently turned 90, we are so lucky! Congrats!

Answer 7

Only the wedding party sits at the table with the bride and groom. every one else are sat at other tables. Oh yeah, No one sits at the head of the table. The bride and groom are seated in the middle next to each other. When your grandmother is announced, couldn't she already be seated and then just stand when she is mentioned?

Answer 8

Bride@Groom
The Best man sits beside the groom on left side.
Maid of honor sits on right side of Bride
Ushers and bridesmaids make up the rest of the table.
Parents do not usually ( never yet seen it ) sit at the head table, nor do the flower girl(s).

Answer 9

For the head table: adult wedding party members generally sit there - children and parents if there is room. Parents are often seated right in front og the head table instead. For your grandma - instead of having them introduced walking in, have the MC introduce the grandparents in his welcoming speech by pointing them out and welcoming them especially.

Answer 10

About the Grandmas
Have them both at their respective tables. Have the DJ announce them, they stand if you have a spotlight etc.

About the head table
Are you sure they still do that
In my area they do a "sweetheart" table for the two of you, and everyone else sits at what ever table you put them at. Kids next to their parents of course