Non-traditional top table seating plan

It's really common to do this now, so I wouldn't worry about not following tradition. If that's what you want to do, go for it

As for reactions, no one bats an eyelid and most people probably wont even notice

Thank you - I thought it must be increasingly common. I am pretty sure everyone will have a much better time because of it (I think for parents who get on with the other parents, then it's great...and wish this was the case...but sadly it's not!).

I did this - my mam made a comment about it not being the traditional way but I just said I thought it would work better.

Me too! I had my son, my dad and Mum who are divorced sat next to each other then OH's brother his wife and Best man on the top table. It just made the table seating easier and I needed 2 familiar people to care for my Son. Don't worry about tradition do what suits you.

I didn't realise they weren't supposed to sit together.?

Ours is very unconventional. My mum & dad, me & new hubby & then his two daughters. His mum isn't on the top table at all & his biological father isn't coing as he's on hols.

I think that nowadays, anything goes. xx

I didn't even realise the parents were supposed to sit next to the in-laws!

We'll definitely have a non-traditional plan as OH only has one parent.

I don't think it should be an issue, much better for everyone to feel comfortable.

Hi Kells, we are doing this too, we are having an oval top table with us, my parents sat next to me, OHs mum and step dad sat next to him and OHs dad and stepmum sat next to them. Nobody seems bothered and actually prefers this from the reactions I would say The only person who I think doesnt agree is the best man as he made a comment about feeling a bit daft standing at another table making his speech, I just told him to shut up! lol x

We had an oval table. Our original seating plan around the table was Boy, me, my Dad, my Mum, my brother, a female family friend, the best man, CBM, Boy's BIL, Boy's sister (BM), Boy's Dad, Boy's Mum, then back to Boy again....On the day, Boy's parents couldn't come so he was sitting next to his sister in the end.

We'll have a round top table in the middle of the room.

It's going to go:

Bride

Groom

MOG

FOG

Best Man (OH's brother)

OH's bro's wife

MOB

FOB

Do what you want hun, I am! xx

Firstly, its your wedding so you do what you want!

We are having a non -traditional top table. I didnt like the idea of us all sitting in a line for 2-3 hours, and only being able to talk to the people either side of us, plus everyone else in the room staring at us! I want to be able to talk to my husband(!), my parents and his parents while we are having dinner. So we are having a round table in the middle of the room, with me & OH, his parents, my parents and my bro & his girlfriend.

Also, OH's dad is not well, and if he is having a bad day, can find it difficult even picking up cutlery and eating, so we didnt want him to be sat on the end of a table between my mum and a random bridesmaid, so we are having our parents sitting next to each other, plus being on a round table means he doesnt have to worry about being gawped at!

That's exactly what we did. our parents sat by us, its what we wanted

We had round tables and sat with us were out b.maids, best mand and ushers and their partners. each of our mums hosted a table each and we split the imediate family between those 2 tables!

Can't remember there any issues with it!

Thanks for all your replies - it's really good to know that my wedding heresy won't be frowned upon by everyone! I don't want to upset my grandparents, but I guess it doesn't directly affect them as they're not even sitting on the top table; I guess they're just traditionalists at heart!

We are having a long top table but won't be having it set up traditionally. I want my parents sat next to each other. OH's parents divorced years ago so having his dad and step mum next to each other then need to find somewhere to put his mum!

With divorced parents who have new partners, we are having each set of parents "host" their own tables of family and friends, and then me and OH will be on a round table in the centre with bridesmaids, best man and friends.

I think some traditions are strange and unnecessary, I say do whatever makes it a better day.

I did this, there wasn't any reactions as it's quite common nowadays and I don't think people really expect you to stick to the traditional format any more.

Ours is definitely non traditional as my OH does not have his Mum or Dad around and he is not close to his grandparents but he is very close to my family, so ours is going to be:

CBM

FOB

Me!

OH

MOB

Best Man

I hope it's going to work!

We are doing a long table in the centre of the room, with our top table at the top, looking at our table the two table will come together like a T shape. The top table will have bridesmaid, myself, Groom, best man, then the long table will start with most important people, parents, partners of bridesmaid and best man... the left side will be grooms family and right mine...

We are not following tradition either. On our top table we are having us, my mum, stepdad, my little brother, Oh's mum, our 3 kids, and the best man!

We're also having an oval table and will be sitting with BM's. best man and flowergirl.

My Mum and stepdad will be hosting a table as will my Dad.

Such a good idea - I might have to do the same, would be so much simpler and help with rest of the seating

I did this. Just thought they would prefer sitting next to their OH

We had round tables. We sat friends and family groups together. As both of us have divorced parents we decided not to sit with our parents. On our 'top table' we both choice our 2 best friends and we sat with them and their partners.

I was inspired by this thread to have us on a round table in the middle of everyone but the OH wants a proper top table ?

I like the idea of having a "sweetheart" table, just me and OH. Our family is such a mish mash and would be very difficult to get it anywhere near "traditional". I thought this would be a nice quiet time of us to take in everything and spend some time together on our special day. Lots of brides have said they barely saw OH due to making the rounds and enjoying themselves, thought this would be quite nice. However like all the other ladies have said you do as you wish as its your day and both sets of parents would probably be grateful. x x