Reception layout ideas, drawn to scale

1. Classic rounds

Suits: most weddings, plated dinners, rooms that need a dance floor in the middle. Pros: everyone can talk across the table; easy to group friends; flexible. Cons: more centrepieces and table numbers; half the guests have their backs to the head table during speeches — angle chairs or seat speech-watchers on the far side.

2. Long feasting tables

Suits: barns, marquees, family-style service, narrow rooms. Pros: seats more people in the same space; a convivial, banquet feel; looks spectacular dressed with runners and candles. Cons: you mostly talk to your neighbours; harder to keep households at the ends together; guests climbing out of the middle.

3. U-shape

Suits: 30–70 guests, speeches-heavy receptions, British top-table weddings. Pros: everyone faces the middle and can see the couple; the dance floor is framed. Cons: limited capacity; the corners are awkward seats; service happens from outside the U.

4. Mixed rounds and long tables

Suits: couples who want the family together at one long table and friends at rounds. Pros: visually interesting; fits awkward rooms. Cons: needs more planning with the venue for linen and service.

5. Cocktail-style

Suits: food stations, evening receptions, short or informal celebrations. Pros: lots of mingling; needs less floor space per guest. Cons: provide seats for at least half the guests — and for every older guest — or people end up on their feet for hours.

Try it with your room

Ask your venue for room dimensions and the tables they own, then try layouts in the planner: “Set up room” creates a to-scale starting point, and you can drag, rotate and swap table shapes until it matches.