Figuring out your seating chart... things to consider

above image by Matthew Lomanno Photography

There is a standard language that vendors in the wedding and special event industry use when discussing table layouts and ordering specialty linens for those tables. I thought it would be a good idea to share some insider secrets so you can understand what you need to order, how many people you should place at each table, which size tables fit how many guests, etc etc.

Let's start with dining tables. MOST venues will have 60" round tables in-house for your use. Some will also have 72" rounds, but 60" is definitely the standard, at least on the East Coast..... Here is a list of the round table sizes you might need to use/rent for your wedding:

All of these tables are the standard 30" height:

72" round
60" round
48" round
36" round
30" round
24" round

Some tables also come in a higher, 42" height and are perfect for your cocktail hour:

36" round
30" round
24" round

Each table size has a linen that will fit perfectly to the ground. The math is pretty easy to figure out, here's how it works:

Take the diameter of your table and add the height of the table twice to the diameter. For example:
For a 60" round table of standard height 30", you would take 60 and add to it 2x the standard height of 30" so 60. 60+60 = 120 so a 60" round table needs a 120" round linen to go all the way to the ground. Here's the list of the rest of the table linens needed for your round tables:



above image by Melissa Koren Photography

Standard height tables:

72" round table = 132" round linen
60" round table = 120" round linen
48" round table = 108" round linen
36" round table = 96" round linen
30" round table = 90" round linen
24" round table = 84" round linen

Cocktail height tables (42" high):

36" round table = 120" round linen
30" round table = 114" round linen
24" round table = 108" round linen

Now, most venues do NOT have all of these sizes and some rental companies don't offer every individual size needed for these tables. If you're working with custom linens, you name the size and they'll cut the fabric according. The two most uncommon sizes in the above list are the 114" round and the 84" round. Most venues and rental companies will suggest a 120" round linen to replace the 114" and you can tie a ribbon around the linen to shorten it a bit off the ground. Use a 90" round instead of an 84" round and let the fabric puddle around the bottom or tie it up as well.

Some venues don't offer floor length round linens at all. Instead they will place to square linens, usually 84" square to cover the top of your tables and then to have the points of the squares almost touch the floor. If you don't mind seeing the underneath of your tables- including their metal legs, then you won't mind this option. There is actually a very practical reason why many venues do not offer floor length round linens. It is very difficult to wash, iron, and store round linens and most venues work with a general linen company who deals with venues, hospitals restaurants etc. They don't have the space or capabilities for specialty sizes and shapes. Most rental companies have their own in-house laundering system which is why they can offer so many different styles, sizes, and shapes. Just a little extra information for you :)

Now, there are also some rectangular and square shaped tables that you might want to use for your wedding and here are the most standard sizes:

All of these tables are the standard 30" height:



above image by Melissa Koren Photography

8' banquet- 30" wide and 96" long table
6' banquet- 30" wide and 72" long table
4' banquet- 30" wide and 48" long table
60" square
36" square

Two of these tables can sometimes come in the cocktail height of 42" and are great for bars:

8' banquet
6' banquet

For floor length linens, the math is the same process but you have to think of both the length and width of the table:

Take the length of your table top and add the height twice. That's one of your measurements... take the width and add the height twice. An 8' banquet is 96" long, so take 96 and add the standard 30" height twice, 96+30+30=156". The width of an 8' banquet is 30", so take 30 and add the standard 30" height twice, 30+30+30=90". A floor length linen for an 8' banquet is 90" x 156". Here are the rest of your linen sizes:

Standard height tables:

8' banquet = 90" x 156"
6' banquet = 90" x 132"
4' banquet = 90" x 108"
60" square = 120" square*** make sure you ask for a square linen, not a round.. it won't fit to the floor at the four corners of the table if you ask for a 120" round linen for this table size and shape
36" square = 96" square** same applies as the above comment.



above image by Matthew Lomanno Photography

Now that you know what size linens fit each table to the ground, let's discuss how many guests should be seated at each table. Everyone has a differing opinion on this subject, sometimes due to the size of your venue's space. They will put more people at a table to fit more guests into the space. The type of chair you have will also affect how many people can sit comfortably at each table. Let's start with the round tables since they're the most popular:

72" round tables: 10 guests sit very comfortably at this table. 9 would also work and 11 would also work and no one would be too tightly packed.... people do seat 12 guests at a 72" round and although it's possible when using a chivari chair, it is VERY tight and cramped. A standard cloth banquet chair is even wider then a chivari chair so it would be even tighter with 12 people sitting on those types of chairs.

60" round tables: 8 guests is great, 7 is great, 9 is great.... 10, same story as above....



above image by Melissa Koren Photography

48" round tables: 5-7 guests- great for cocktail hour

36" round tables: 3-5 guests- great for cocktail hour

30" round tables- 2-4 guests- great for cocktail hour


The 42" high tables are really used for bars so guests wouldn't be seated at those two sized tables... FYI.

And for the rectangular and square tables:

8' banquets: 8 guests, 4 on each side**

6' banquets: 6 guests, 3 on each side**

4' banquets: 4 guests, 2 on each side**

**A 30" wide table will only allow for seating on each side with very little, if any, room for flower arrangements. This standard width is great for a casual rehearsal dinner or wedding where flowers aren't really the focal point of your reception tables.
If you want to seat your guests at rectangular tables and you want to have large flower arrangements I would suggest using the standard 30" wide table and adding an 18" wide table of the same length to create a 48" wide table. This will allow for plenty of space for your flowers and your guests seating. The issue that comes up is your linen rentals. You can get standard linens for the 30" wide tables, but some venues and rental companies don't have floor length linens for the 18" wide tables. In addition to dealing with finding linens to cover your two tables, you now have a seam down the entire length of your table, and it's not centered down the middle of the table at all. I would suggest getting a runner that is wide enough to cover the seam, so a 14" or wider runner would cover your seams and make your table look complete.



above image by Matthew Lomanno Photography

60" square table: 8 guests exactly. It won't look right having some sides with two guests and some with one guest so you have to be pretty exact with your seating on these tables.

36" square table: 2 people is usually the best option here.... this sized table is used for a sweetheart table

I think that pretty much covers everything you need to know about tables and their coordinating linen sizes. Hopefully this will give you the information you need for planning your seating charts!