Top table where there are lack of parents and step parents

Have everyone you want there, and do a non-traditional layout. If you include your chief bridesmaid and best man or some siblings, it will be even easier to distribute and space everyone, without looking like anyone has taken anyone else's place.

You could have what i believe is called a `sweetheart` table with just the two of you, then distribute everyone else on tables with their own friends/family.

We did this and it worked really well. We had issues over my lack of dad, OHs lack of mum and various issues with family members. Much easier all round.

Do a "lovers" table or sit with friends and have parents and step parents host their own tables!

I don't remember exactly how I did it when I got married last time. I think it was:

cbm, son, step father, mother, me, exH, father, MIL, FIL, fathers gf, BM, BMs wife.

So not us exactly in the middle but it really didn't matter. I wouldn't leave the step father out.

I went with non-traditional top table too. Doesn't need to be boy-girl-boy layout either. I included my brother & his fiancé, as dad no longer alive & OH's parents didn't come!

If you can fit everyone on the top table, even non traditional layout, then do so, otherwise have your own table for the 2 of you.

Do you have to have a 'top table?

We knew from the off that we didn't - we wanted a relaxed reception where everyone was comfortable, so put all the 'oldies' on one table, the 'youths' on another, a couple of adults with children tables etc, then we were at the centre of them all with our youngest 3 children plus 2 sisters, BILs and their children. It was a great atmosphere, nobody felt 'superior' to anyone else and it was really easy to mingle....

Don't feel like you HAVE to stick to tradition unless you really want to xx

We won't be having a traditional top table because we have H2B's step-mother who is fairly insistent that she should be at it instead of his mother since she brought him up. Our thoughts are to have either a sweetheart table or a table with just us and our children. I now think MWAH's option of no top table at all sounds perfect for us. We can sit with our own children, Best Man and his partner and daughter and MOH who will be on her own.

Agree with everyone else, a table with just the 2 of you would be nice, but if you don't want that you're best to just placing everyone where they fit and get on best etc and don't stick to tradition, lots of people don't do it the traditional way anymore because of family issues so it isn't a must.

We had a table with us, my son, best man and his family. 7 of us.

The next table was huge (they weren't round tables so we could do this) and had all family on, his and mine. Then smaller tables from there for friends.

My daughter had a similar dilema. All four parents had new partners (one of them same sex) and not all exes got on, so on my suggestion, she only had the bridesmaids and two bestmen on the top table.... problem solved.

Every family is different and in many cases, trying to stick to tradition is like fitting a square peg into a round hole!!!!!

I have a something of a similar issue,
Groom - parents still together
Bride (that me :p) - parents divorced and hate eachother plus, my dad wants to kill my step dad and my mum is hated my step mum.

I decided that it will be: top table - bride groom, bridesmaids and best man plus ushers. My parents can look after there own little tables. My top table would of been HUGE otherwise.