28 Ideas for Sitting Pretty at Your Head Table
Mark your special seating with creative décor, including installations, centerpieces, and table runners.
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Photography: Heather Payne
Sweetheart tables seat just the happy couple, while head tables seat the newlyweds and their VIPs. This may include the wedding party, family members, children of any parents included, and—if there's room—dates. While the specifics will differ based on your personal situation, one thing remains the same when it comes to sweetheart and head tables: If you choose to have special seating, you'll want the space to stand out.
To make their designated table a focal point, brides and grooms turn to different strategies based on their reception venue and the design of their event. Some choose to sit in unique chairs, some opt to give their table an incredible backdrop, and some decorate their furniture with flowers and other accents. Whether you want to spruce up your sweetheart or head table with centerpieces, overhead installments, pretty signage, or something else entirely, we're here to provide you with great inspiration. Couples have used everything from rugs and runners to candles and garlands to separate themselves from the rest of their guests, and we've got the photo evidence to prove it.
Ahead is a roundup of creative ideas for making your sweetheart or head table pop. There are décor options for every kind of wedding, including formal fêtes, casual celebrations, indoor affairs, and outdoor parties. We've found examples for bohemian, romantic, whimsical, and elegant weddings, among others. We've also included options in various color schemes, meaning there's truly something for everyone. Click through and get inspired before planning your own sweetheart or head table.
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Photography: Christie Graham Photography2 of 29
Trailing Greenery
Romantic greenery fell from the ceiling behind this head table. The leaves were placed in front of a white curtain.
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Photography: Stacey Hedman3 of 29
Chandeliers
Chandeliers were hung above this head table for an elegant look.
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Photography: Christie Graham Photography4 of 29
Hanging Shapes
Gorgeous, dreamy shapes were strung from the ceiling to mark the head table at this reception.
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Photography: Leila Brewster Photography5 of 29
Pops of Color
Big blooms and a verdant garland sat atop a bright pink runner on this head table.
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Photography: Brooke Beasley Photography6 of 29
Mixed Lighting
Mix unique lights for a stunning, glowing effect, as seen at this wedding.
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Photography: Kathleen Geiberger Art7 of 29
Destination Details
This wedding was held in Hawaii, so leis on the bride and groom's chairs were fitting.
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Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography8 of 29
A Loveseat
Newlyweds can sit comfortably on a sofa or loveseat, like this wedding's bride and groom chose to do.
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Photography: A.J. Dunlap Photography9 of 29
Overhead Greenery
Petal & Oak crafted this amazing installation, featuring overflowing greenery in a hanging wooden box.
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Photography: Ace & Whim10 of 29
Boho Touches
At this celebration, Dang Fine Rentals put a custom wooden structure behind the sweetheart table. Laser-cut lyrics by Happily Ever Etched also decorated the area.
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Photography: Stoffer Photography11 of 29
Hanging Tea Lights
Unique glass orbs were hung above this head table. Each one held a tea light.
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Photography: Julie Kay Kelly12 of 29
A Lush Garland
A cascading garland in classic colors makes for a gorgeous centerpiece on a head table.
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Photography: Jillian Rose Photography13 of 29
String Lights
At this wedding, string lights were hung vertically behind the head table.
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Photography: Krista A. Jones Photography14 of 29
Labeled Chairs
Calligraphed wooden boards were placed on the backs of this couple's chairs, which were also decorated with leaves.
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Photography: Sposto Photography15 of 29
Overhead Flowers
Flower boxes hung above this head table, giving it an enchanted, woodsy feel.
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Photography: Rustic White Photography16 of 29
Tall Centerpieces
Towering structures held sprawling blooms in white, pink, and yellow on this flower-filled head table.
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Photography: Nikki Nicole Photography17 of 29
Special Seating
These new spouses sat on a special bench to face their guests from their sweetheart table.
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Photography: Katie Parra Photography18 of 29
A Unique Table
Clutch Events planned this head table, which was a wooden, one-of-a-kind piece. En Fleur designed the accompanying garland.
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Photography: Shewanders19 of 29
Paper Cranes
"In keeping with Japanese tradition, my family and friends made 1,000 origami cranes for good luck," this bride shared. "At my bachelorette party, each girl made a gold crane, so those ones represent my closest pals," she added. The decorations looked lovely behind the head table at her wedding.
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Photography: Melissa Oholendt20 of 29
Big Lights
Hanging installations weren't the only markers of this head table. The couple's initials looked over the seating from the reception venue's wall.
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Photography: Jessica Antola21 of 29
A Lace Runner
The head table at this wedding—a rustic, farmhouse piece—was topped with a delicate lace runner. The detail was a surprise gift for the bride.
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Photography: Lyndsay Undseth Photography22 of 29
Name Tags
Put your name on your special seating with customized wooden labels.
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Photography: onelove photography23 of 29
Different Chairs
At this wedding, the bride and groom's chairs differed from the rest of the seats at the head table. The area was decorated with a fun tablecloth, a macramé runner, and a garland.
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Photography: Lisa Ziesing for Abby Jiu Photography24 of 29
A Scroll Runner
This bride asked calligrapher Spurlé Gul Studios to pen her favorite poem on each end of her head table's runner. The romantic look was further decorated with flowers from Sweet Root Village.
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Photography: Kristen Kilpatrick25 of 29
A Floral Installation
R. Jack Balthazar placed a homey rug beneath this beautiful head table. Garland-laced brass-and-leather chandeliers hung above the seating area, while flowers, foliage, candles, and fruit made up the centerpieces.
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Photography: Bowtie and Belle26 of 29
Weighted Balloons
Surround your head table with weighted balloons to make it stand out.
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Photography: Rachel Solomon27 of 29
Chair Flowers
At this wedding, the newlyweds' chairs were decorated with gorgeous flowers. Bloom + Blueprint planned and provided the florals.
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Photography: onelove photography28 of 29
Marquee Letters
This adorable sweetheart table had the couple's initials placed at its base.
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Photography: Betsi Ewing Studio29 of 29
Cascading Vines
Vines trailed from above behind this wedding's head table. Blooms were also attached.
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