Bringing Memories to
Life
Sweetheart Table or Long Bridal Party Table? How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Reception Seating
Creating a Romantic and Memorable Seating Experience
Ah, the great wedding debate: should you have a sweetheart table, just for the bride and groom, or a long bridal party table where everyone shares in the celebration up front? This question recently came from a bride named Jessyka Renee White, who asked in one of the many wedding groups she follows:
“Okay, what is everyone’s opinion for reception seating? Do you have A) a sweetheart table for just the bride and groom, or B) a long bridal party table so everyone is together and the guests are seated nearby?”
It’s a fantastic question, and one that every couple faces while planning their reception. Let’s explore both options, with real-life experiences from brides who have graciously shared their thoughts, as well as a bit of insight from my perspective as a professional photographer who captures these magical moments.
My View: Love at First Sight with a Sweetheart Table
If you’ve followed my blog, you know that one of my guiding wedding taglines is: “always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Having attended multiple weddings, I’ve seen countless bridal party tables—and often wondered how I would handle balancing my side with my spouse’s side.
When my husband and I toured our third venue, we saw a wedding set up with a small, intimate table for the couple—a sweetheart table. It immediately captured my heart. The romantic energy of just the two of us, surrounded by our family and friends from a short distance, felt intimate and special. My husband, who is my best friend, agreed it would be a beautiful way to share our first meal as a married couple while still enjoying the energy of the room.
From a photography perspective, a sweetheart table allows for focused, romantic shots of the newlyweds, with soft background blurs of the guests. It’s a visual dream for photographers capturing the emotion of your first moments together as husband and wife.
Bride Spotlight: Hillary Morgan Weaver and the Long Bridal Party Table
On the other hand, some brides prefer a long bridal party table, including the entire wedding party. Hillary Morgan Weaver chose this option and never second-guessed it. She wanted her bridal party to feel celebrated, included, and part of every moment—from standing at the ceremony to enjoying the first dinner alongside the newlyweds.
Her venue had a long, rectangular space, which made a stage setup with a staggered seating arrangement ideal. Men and women alternated, creating visual balance and allowing everyone’s significant others to sit nearby. This approach provided a lively, connected atmosphere, giving guests the freedom to interact, dance, and enjoy their evening without feeling isolated.
For photography, long tables can create dramatic, wide-angle images of the bridal party, capturing both the décor and the joy of your friends and family. It’s a celebration of togetherness, and it ensures that everyone in the wedding party feels valued.
Sweetheart vs. Bridal Party: Making Your Choice
Choosing between a sweetheart table and a long bridal party table ultimately comes down to your priorities. Ask yourself these questions:
Do you want intimate moments captured with just the two of you, or shared joy with the entire bridal party?
What will feel most comfortable for your guests and the overall flow of the room?
How will the size and layout of your venue affect seating arrangements and photography angles?
Will you prioritize romantic, personal images, or celebratory, group-focused shots?
Table Talk: Photography Perspective
As a wedding photographer, I see both options offering unique advantages:
Sweetheart Table: Focused shots of the bride and groom, emotion, and detail-rich images of your décor. Perfect for intimate settings.
Long Bridal Party Table: Energy, connection, and storytelling. Captures interactions, laughter, and the shared experience of your closest friends.
Photography aside, your decision should reflect what will make you feel most loved, celebrated, and comfortable on your wedding day.
Seating Advice for Couples
Love at the Table: Your Seating Decision Guide
Sweetheart Table: Intimate, romantic, private moments. Perfect for photographers seeking soft, focused images of the couple.
Long Bridal Party Table: Inclusion, celebration, shared energy. Ideal for capturing wide shots of your loved ones enjoying the festivities.
Guest Comfort: Consider accessibility, visibility, and freedom for your guests to interact, eat, and dance.
Room Layout: Let the venue’s size, shape, and stage placement guide your decision for aesthetic balance.
Your Priorities: Romantic connection or shared celebration? Your table choice should reflect what you and your spouse value most.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose a sweetheart table or a long bridal party table, the most important factor is that it feels right for you as a couple. Asking yourself key questions, considering your venue, and thinking about your photography goals will help you make the decision with confidence. Both options create beautiful memories, perfect images, and joyous celebrations—allowing you and your loved ones to enjoy a wedding day filled with love, laughter, and picture-perfect moments.
And You Loved, Happily Ever After!
The Love + Laugh Lounge
Not sure what the Love + Laugh Lounge is, read why it's where your love story begins and will never end!