Sweetheart Table Sizes: What Fits Two (or Four) at a Wedding

A sweetheart table is the couple's own table at the reception, set apart from guests and facing the room. Couples love the quiet and the photos. The mistake is picking the wrong size. Too small and the table is crammed with flowers and glasses. Too big and it takes space from guest tables.

Size chart

How much room does a sweetheart table need

• Table edge: 24 inches per person at minimum.
• Behind the chairs: 4 to 6 feet so servers can pass.
• In front: a clear sightline for toasts and photos.
• Distance from guests: at least 6 feet to the nearest guest table.

Keep it near the dance floor and visible from every table. Avoid corners next to the kitchen door.

Styling ideas

• A garland or floral swag along the front.
• A backdrop of draped fabric or greenery.
• Candles on the table and a runner in the wedding color.
• A floor-length cloth with a skirt in the front only. See pleated skirting.

Chairs

Chairs at a sweetheart table are the one pair guests will remember. Many couples pick a different chair from the guests, such as a velvet chair or a throne chair. We cover more ideas in sweetheart table chair ideas.

Sweetheart table vs head table

Read head table setups for layouts that seat the whole party.

Chicago notes

If your venue is a stage-style ballroom, check whether the stage is available for the sweetheart table. If you are in a tent, plan for the ground to be level. See table rental for outdoor events.

Planning the spot, step by step

A sweetheart table feels special because of where it sits, not just how big it is. Walk your venue with a tape measure and answer these questions before you order.

• Is there a clear sightline? Every guest table should see you. Pillars, DJ gear and tall centerpieces on other tables can block the view.
• Is there power nearby? Fairy lights and candles are easy to run on batteries, but a string of lights needs an outlet.
• Is there room for photos? Photographers need a few feet in front and a clean backdrop behind. A wall of drapery or greenery makes cleaner photos than a busy room.
• Is there a path for servers? Servers need a route behind the table that does not cross the dance floor.

Mistakes that crowd the table

Sweetheart tables get crowded because couples treat them as display tables. A plate, a bread plate, a water glass, a wine glass and a champagne flute for each person already take most of a 30-inch-deep table. Add a bouquet, a candle and a menu and nothing is left. Keep the centerpiece small, or hang flowers on the front of the table instead of on top. If you want a lavish look, choose a 72-inch table and keep the middle only 8 to 10 inches wide.

What guests see

From the room, the table is a stage. The chairs, the cloth and the backdrop are what people photograph. Test the view from your guests' seats at your final walkthrough.

Plan your sweetheart table

Book a free 15-minute seating call to pick the table and chairs, or request a quote.