Table Layouts
Surprise, surprise, tables play an important part in the planning of any event. It can be tricky to know exactly how many tables you will need to seat your guests comfortably, especially when you are organizing in advance. I am always being asked ‘how many guests do your tables seat, how many tables will I need for ‘x’ amount of guests’. It is definitely something that you want to take the time to think about properly – too many tables and you will lose the sense of intimacy, but not enough tables and you may have some floating guests without a seat!
Source: So, to give you the short answer, our trestle tables (6’ x 2’6”) are ideal as they are wide enough for feasting but still intimate enough that your guests don’t have to yell across the table! They seat six guests each, so two each side and then one either end or in a line you can allow three down the side.
Alternatively you may prefer round tables. 5’ rounds seat eight comfortably and 5’6” rounds seat ten. However this can change depending on your floor plan style, place settings and other variables, so make sure you take the following points into consideration to help create a comfortable seating plan with the perfect amount of tables! As a rule of thumb a 5’6” round table requires 100 square feet.
Source: DECIDE ON YOUR FLOOR PLAN
This is the first job. Lines of trestles for the banquet effect or individual rounds. If it is a wedding you may want a top table and normally two or three need to be allocated for this depending on how big your bridal party is. Are you happy with people sitting at the heads of tables, or would you prefer using the sides only? If you have made a decision on the style of floor plan you will be using then this will make everything much clearer and easier.
THINK ABOUT THE VENUE SPACE
Before making a final decision consider the venue space and speak to either the venue event planner or your marquee contractor. If they know their stuff they should know the answers to all your queries and the good ones will have a room layout for you to look at, like The Great Barn Devon.
Venues come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. A good tip is to grab the measurements of the space and then pencil in the measurements of the tables. Ask your venue for images of previous events so you can see what works well. Don’t forget to allow an appropriate amount of space in between the tables for catering purposes. Which brings us neatly onto the table settings. If you over clutter the tables there is less room. So if you want all the glasses, the cutlery for all courses, the room for wine, bottles of water, table centerpieces, bread, butter, condiments, favours and elbows, don’t forget to allow room for it.
