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Where parents sit at the reception, with one parents' table or two, who joins them, how close to the couple, and how to handle divorced, remarried or absent parents.
Parents traditionally host their own tables closest to the couple's sweetheart or head table, joined by grandparents, their own siblings and sometimes the officiant. Couples choose between one shared parents' table, when the families know and like each other, and two tables, one for each side, when they don't or when either family is large. If parents are divorced, give each their own table at the same distance from you.
One shared parents' table or two separate tables: Who sits there, Both sets of parents, often with grandparents, Each set of parents hosts their own side; Works when, Families know each other and get along, Families don't know each other, are large, or parents are divorced; The feel, Families mixing, a symbolic start, Each side comfortable with its own people; The risk, A long, polite dinner if the families barely know each other, Can feel like two camps if placed far apart.
Grandparents, usually at their own children's table. Parents' siblings and their partners, if there's room. The officiant and their partner, traditionally, especially at a religious wedding. Parents' closest friends, when the family table would otherwise be small.
Place the parents' tables nearest your table, where parents can see you and be seen during the speeches and first dance. If there are two, keep them the same distance from you. Being close to the couple reads as importance, much more than which side of the room a table is on.
Divorced and on good terms: they can share a table, if both want to. Divorced and not on good terms: two tables, the same distance from yours, not facing each other. The detail is in where divorced parents sit at a wedding. Remarried parents: a stepparent sits with their spouse. See where stepparents sit. A parent who has died: some couples reserve a seat or place a photo or flower at the parents' table. Talk to the surviving parent first. A parent who isn't attending: grandparents or another close family member host that table.
Not traditionally; the head table is for the wedding party. Some couples with a small wedding party seat parents at the head table instead, or skip a head table and share one long table with both families. Head table or sweetheart table? covers the options.
They can, if the families know each other and get along. Otherwise each set of parents hosts its own table, both close to the couple.
The tables closest to the couple's sweetheart or head table, usually hosting grandparents and close family.
Usually, yes. Grandparents traditionally sit at their own children's table, close to the couple and away from the speakers.
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