Top Table Query

Personally if your parents are refusing to sit near each other, I don't understand how they can possibly dictate what table they sit at.

How close is your OH to his grandparents? Could you just have the grandparents up there? Maybe explain the situation to his parents?

It's a difficult situation.

We have my parents, his parents and the two best men so eight on ours. I have 5 bridesmaids so they have their own table with their partners.

Yes we are going to put the bridesmaids together as I couldn't fit them on and they would want to sit with there partners. Its my mum being a pain my dad will sit any where bless him. My OH knows how close I am to my nan and grandad as do my parents so my mums ok with them being on the top table but she wants my dad sat on my OH's side!! I have put my foot down and told her thats how it is but now wondering if its going to be a bit awkward for them and crowded x

Have you spoken to your venue? 12 is only 2 more than an average table.

The only problem is how to sit them so that you and your OH are still in the middle IYSWIM? Are there any of the couples that would be happy to sit on either side of the two of you?

So far there will be my folks, OH's folks, his brother who is his best man, my BM - which could have the potential to become 2 BMs and of course us 2... So yah.. 8 or 9

If I was in your position and my parents were adamant that they didn't want to sit at the same table but both insisted on sitting at the top table with their partners - I wouldn't have either of them because, they shouldn't be dictating to you where they sit and I doubt I'd be close enough to their partners to let them share that special part of the day with me xx

Hi,

We have the dovrced parent issue too! I think we are going to have a top table of 12 (15 if the parents new partners get grumpy about not being there, but that will be under duress). I decided that as one of my BMs is my sister and want her there, but then I also want the BM that has been around and helped most... so ended up with loads on there - but its my choice not anyone elses!!

We're in a similar situation. Ive just got my mum but my brother is giving me away and OHs Dad is our problem tho (kicked off good time at our engagement party, it would appear 12years divorced and despite him getting remarried he just can't move on ? ) ANYWAY!

We're sitting my mum next to OH then his dad next to her. His mum next to me and my brother next to her. That's in my head anyway not confirmed it with MrApples but could you do something like that?

Could you not sit to two mums next to you two and the dads on opposite sides (so your OH sits next to his mum who sits next to your dad)

My head is chocca thinking about it!!!

Glad its not just me!! I just felt sorry for my dad. I know hes not been an angel but he is my dad at the end of the day and I would rather have him up there than the step parents. My OH says hes quite happy to tell the lot of them whats what but i'm hoping thats a last resort. If 12's not to many though im sure I can juggle them about a bit. Thanks for your help ? xx

Oh thats a great idea. Im sure they will all be happy with that as well. Thankyou!! xx

9 on ours

me, H2B, mum, MIL2B, my 3 kids (BM's), Best Man and my brother who is giving me away

I got in a pickle with it too because I was worried about my SIL and their 3 kids sitting on another table as SIL will only know my mum and obviously my brother but there has to be a line and friends have reassured me it probably won't be an issue and it's only for the speeches/meal anyway

8 on ours, due to the width of the room, so me, oh, my mum, his mum, my 2 kids (daughter is 1 of my 4 adult bridesmaids) and best woman. The other 3 adult bridesmaids will sit right next to top table (U shape layout) with their partners and flower girls and pageboys will sit bit further away from top table with their parents.

Someone is bound not to be happy at this arrangement but I'm past caring!

There will be 10 on our top table still got ages to do it, just need OH to tell me who his best man will be as he STILL has not deceided!

Similar situation, so were not having any of them on the top table! There will be our 3 bridesmaids, myself and OH, the best man and my 2 children (who are giving me away)

We will be having 10 on our top table.. Us, both sets of parents, BM and MOH and thier partners ..

We are in the same situation..so we're having my parents & my family members on one table, H2B mum & that side of the family on another & his dad & step family on another. On our top table we've got the best man, another close friend & 3 bridesmaids (2 with partners). That was we're not offending people and no one feels uncomfortable sitting next to anyone

xx

We are not having a top table as such, it ll just be me, h2b, our 5 late teen kids and we re sitting on a round table. i just feel that way we ll all be able to chat to each other rather than only the person next to you.

my mum & dad will be sitting with my 2 sisters and their families,as my mum does nt like my dads family and vice versa.

oh mum ll be sitting with her sister and friend, dad ll be with his wife (of 40 years), they divorced over 40 years ago but have nt seen each other in that time so couldbe akward!

plus we are only having about 50 guests, so did nt want 1/2 on the top table...lol

We did not have the normal top table, we had a round table in the middle with 8 of us.

The two of us plus my mum and dad, Mr C's mum and dad (all of who are divorced, their partners sat on other tables), the chief bridesmaid and the best man.

Its only for a few hours during dinner.

I have a bit of dysfunctional set-up with step parents and my Mr Black lost both of his parents a while back so we have decided to sit on a table for two.... we were concerned initially about doing this as hadn’t heard of this before but apparently it has a name, 'Sweetheart table' so can't be that uncommon!