Louis Chairs for the Head Table: How to Seat the Wedding Party

A head table needs a different chair from the guest tables, because everyone is looking at it for hours. It is where the couple, the wedding party and sometimes the parents sit, and it is the focal point of every photo. A Louis chair solves that in one move: it is taller, wider and more upholstered than the rest of the room, so the table reads as the center. This guide shows how to plan the table, count the seats and decide how much is enough.

The chair

Our Louis medallion chair follows the French Louis XVI tradition: an oval upholstered back with carved trim and a padded seat. The finishes are white and gold, and grey and silver. The cushion is included. It does not stack and is meant for indoor use.

Why it works at a head table:

• Presence. It is visually heavier than a Chiavari or ghost chair, so the table stands out.
• Comfort. The upholstery is a real benefit during toasts and long dinners.
• Formality. It suits ballrooms, hotels and historic halls.

How to count

A head table is simple math, but people still get it wrong. Count:

1. The couple (2).
2. The wedding party (maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen).
3. Any partners of the wedding party, if they sit at the table.
4. Parents, if you seat them with you (they often sit at a nearby family table instead).

A one-sided head table needs about 30 inches per person, so a table for 10 is about 20 feet long, which means multiple banquet tables placed end to end. Ask whether your venue can supply or if you need to rent them. Our sweetheart table chair ideas covers the smaller option.

These are planning numbers. Your venue's table sizes and room shape decide the final layout.

Styling the front of the table

Because a head table is seen from the front, the table skirt and the chair do all the work.

• Floor-length linen with a pleated or ruched skirt hides legs and cables. See the tablecloth size chart.
• A long floral garland along the front, low enough that guests can see the couple.
• Candles in a row, with a fire-safe holder.

On the chair, less is more: the carved trim is the decoration. Avoid wide sashes that cover the oval. A small sign on the couple's chairs is fine; see Mr and Mrs chair signs.

Mixing with the room

A common plan is Louis at the head table, a gold infinity chair or Chiavari-style chair at guest tables. The head table then looks upgraded, but the room still feels like one set. If you want another approach, see mixing chair styles at one reception.

Room fit for Chicago ballrooms

The Louis chair is wider than a typical banquet chair. In a room with fixed head table risers or a small stage, measure the width of the stage before you order. A standard stage may not leave enough space behind seated guests. Ask your venue for the stage width, the riser height and whether the head table must sit on the floor.

Plan your head table

Book a free 15-minute seating call and we will size your table, or request a quote with your head table count.