Round Tables vs. Long Tables: Which One Should You Choose for Your Wedding?
When planning your wedding reception, one surprisingly tricky decision is the table layout. Should you go for elegant round tables or keep it cozy with one (or several) long tables? It’s a common dilemma for modern couples, and each option brings a different vibe to your celebration.
Let’s break down the pros and cons of round tables vs. long tables to help you choose the style that best fits your wedding vision.
Team Round Table
Why Round Tables Might Be the Smarter Choice
Before falling in love with a certain table style, take a good look at your venue layout. Round tables are often easier to work with—especially in spaces with awkward shapes or limited room. If a long table layout feels too tight or doesn’t quite flow, round tables can be your best friend. Bonus: they often allow you to seat more guests in the same space.
Sharing your dinner space with the party later?
Round tables are much easier to move around. In destination weddings, like those dreamy celebrations in Tuscany, this flexibility is gold. You can shift a few tables aside to open up the dance floor without too much fuss.
Want to keep floral design costs down?
Here’s the reality: a round table for 10 only needs one strong centerpiece. But that same group at a long table (say, 3 meters) typically needs two or three floral pieces to keep things visually balanced, unless you're okay with some guests missing out on the blooms.
And let’s be honest—round tables can be seriously chic.
Add a luxurious tablecloth, and suddenly your setup leans into formal, elegant, and Black Tie energy. If you’re envisioning a classic reception or ballroom-style dinner, round tables might be exactly what your aesthetic needs.
Team Long Table
Why Long Tables Might Steal Your Heart
Let’s face it—there’s just something magical about everyone seated side by side, raising their glasses together. Long tables create that cozy, communal vibe that feels more like a family-style dinner than a formal affair. Plus, many long tables are made of beautiful rustic wood that doesn’t even need a tablecloth—less fuss, more style.
If you love lush, flower-filled tables, this layout is for you.
A round table for 10 gives you about 40cm of space for a centerpiece. But on a long 3-meter table? You’ve got the full length to work with. That means you can go all in with floral runners, candles, bud vases—the whole vibe. Long tables are made for tablescape lovers.
Want to get creative with your layout? Long tables are flexible.
Go for two parallel rows, a dramatic U or M shape, or mix and match configurations throughout your venue. Long tables give you freedom to shape the space exactly how you want it.
Combination
Can’t Decide? Mix and Match for the Best of Both Worlds
Still torn between round and long tables? Good news: you don’t have to choose. Combining both styles can create a dynamic, visually interesting layout that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
This works especially well for slightly larger weddings. For example, with around 70 to 80 guests, you can easily style four or five round tables alongside one impressive 6-meter-long table. It brings variety to the room and gives you the flexibility to play with different design elements.
Pro tip: Use the long table for your wedding party or immediate family, and let other guests enjoy the intimacy of round tables. It’s a layout that feels both curated and inclusive.