Different types of top table

As a marquee hire company you need to offer your customers choice. One particular decision is what type of top table to use. Not only do you need to offer different options but you also need to be able to discuss the pros and cons of each:

Traditional long table:

Usually made up of 3 6ft trestles with seating on one side and positioned on one side of the marquee.

Gives a traditional/formal feel to the seating layout
Easy for speeches
Easy for you to set up
Good for photographs with a marquee wall behind
Can be difficult to talk to best man/bridesmaid on the ends
Difficult to change the seating arrangements from gridge, groom, parents, best man and bridesmaid(s)
People on the table are facing guests backs if the remaining seating is round tables
Space required in marquee: 3x6m

Round table:

Usually a 5ft, 5ft6in or 6ft round table in the middle of all the other round tables

Gives a very informal feel to the layout
Very social with other guests in all directions
Easy to change seating arrangements if circumstances require it (for eg no need to have parents/in-laws on the same table)
Not ideal for photographs
Not ideal for speeches (often having to walk to one side to make them)
Space required in marquee: 3x3m

Oval Table

Usually constructed of several trestle tables with a ‘D’ shape table at each end and positioned at one side of the marquee. Seating is usually in a horse-shoe on 3 sides leaving the front clear

more sociable option than a traditional top table (people at the ends are now facing towards the bride & groom) can be formal or informal
leaving the front clear makes for good photographs
Surface can be uneven with so many tables next to each other on uneven ground
Space required in marquee: 3x6m

Remember a popular option is to have the top table on the dance floor. This means that all guests are positioned around the top table and when it is lifted away after the meal everyone is then automatically positioned around the dance floor. It’s best to use the top table for this as the idea is that everyone on it will spend the rest of the evening socialising.

Thanks for reading

Spencer