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Sweetheart of a deal
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If you hear something called a "sweetheart of a deal" run in the other direction. Run, that is unless you are talking to your linen provider about your wedding. In this case, you might just want to sit and listen to this deal.
Alone together
A sweetheart table is a small table set just for the bride and groom. It should be strategically positioned so the bride and groom have a good view of the dance floor and where they can easily be approached by their guests. Frequently the table is decorated similarly to the guest tables but with added embellishments to the table and chairs. A custom floral arrangement may be created. The table may even be on a platform or stage.
Sweetheart tables come in a variety of sizes and shapes. A small square table is provided for the couple at the Junior League. The Houstonian Hotel offers a 60” half round sweetheart table. Other venues have small rectangles or small rounds. Regardless of shape, the table should be set to accommodate just the bride and groom. It gives them the opportunity to make memories together.
All in the family
In the case of challenging family relations, brides often benefit by introducing a sweetheart table to the reception. Aunt Sally isn’t talking to Uncle Ned. Your grandmother is quite vocal about your new brother in law’s penchant for body piercings. Cousin Frieda is none too happy her ex is showing up with "that woman." How do you ensure family discord doesn’t get in the way of the purpose of the gathering? The solution might just be to seat family members at separate tables where they will be most comfortable. Multiple family tables do pose a dilemma for the bride and groom, however. With whom shall they sit when wherever they sit would cause someone to feel slighted? The sweetheart table is the answer.
Won’t break the bank
For a bride and groom on a very tight budget a sweetheart table can add a dash of excitement to the reception decor. If the couple opts to go with the linens provided by their venue, the bride may be disappointed. The plain-Jane look of the reception is anything but the fairy tale wedding she’s dreamt about for years. A simple, cost-effective solution would be to add a small table for the bride and groom. On that one table go all out with the linens, flowers, flatware, crystal. You can even rent two special chairs. Even the most extravagant bride would have a hard time breaking the bank on one sweetheart table.
Houston in step with national trend
I recently conducted a poll on LinkedIn. I asked industry professionals across the U.S. this question: What percent of weddings in your market make use of a sweetheart table? The feedback I received was very supportive of the sweetheart table. Of people who classified themselves as managers and who knew about sweetheart tables, 80% said the sweetheart table was used in quite a few to a lot of their weddings. Of VP level respondents familiar with the term, 100% said the same thing.
Many individuals were gracious enough to comment about the poll. Among them, a wedding planner from Savannah wrote, “90% of our brides want a sweetheart table. I recommend it because it gives them a place to escape to.” An event consultant from Dallas told me: “Almost every wedding I plan has a sweetheart table. The issue is that couples are moving away from the head table and they don't want to make the difficult choice of where to sit among immediate family and the wedding party.” A florist in Miami summed it up when she said “Sweetheart tables have been "in" for years in our area. Head tables are "out"...too often bridal party members have a significant other who is not in the party...no one wants to sit apart during a romantic celebration.” In Houston, The Linen House sees the trend toward sweetheart tables gaining momentum for the same reasons as the wedding consultants in Georgia, Florida and Dallas.
3 Reasons brides are including sweetheart tables in their wedding reception design:
- To spend quality time as a couple
- To solve sticky family seating arrangements
- To economize on reception costs
Regardless of seating preferences, family dynamics or budgets, many couples find the sweetheart table a great addition to their reception. That sweetheart table? It is a sweetheart of a deal.
Photos courtesy of The Linen House, (c) 2009.
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