Long table weddings have become increasingly popular, especially for outdoor, rustic, winery, and barn settings. Instead of small isolated circles, guests sit along shared banquet tables that encourage conversation across the full length and give the venue a dramatic, communal feel. This plan covers 80 guests across 8 long tables of 10, with a sweetheart table for the couple and florals running the full length of each table. The key challenge with long tables is that guests can only comfortably talk to the 2–3 people directly beside or opposite them — so group mixing is more critical than with rounds.
80
Total Guests
9
Tables
10
Per Table
80
Total Capacity
Each table shows capacity, assigned guests, zone, and placement notes.
Sweetheart Table
Head of RoomBride & Groom
Elevated, facing all tables, flower arch backdrop
Table A — Oak
Front LeftBride's family
Bride's parents, siblings, close family
Table B — Elm
Front RightGroom's family
Groom's parents, siblings, close family
Table C — Willow
Mid LeftBridesmaids · Groomsmen · Partners
Bridal party + partners
Table D — Birch
Mid RightBest friends (Bride) · Best friends (Groom)
Mixed close friends — both sides
Table E — Cedar
Mid CentreBride's colleagues · Groom's colleagues
Work colleagues — mixed
Table F — Maple
Rear LeftCousins (Bride) · Cousins (Groom)
Extended family — mixed sides
Table G — Ash
Rear RightSports friends · Travel friends · Neighbourhood friends
Social / hobby friends
Table H — Hazel
Near BarYounger cousins · University friends
Younger crowd — near dance floor
Long tables work best in venues with high ceilings and good acoustics — sound bounces differently than with rounds. Visit the venue at a similar event before committing to the layout.
Florals running the length of long tables are a strong visual but must be low enough (under 30cm) or high enough (over 60cm on tall vases) that guests can see and talk across the table.
Seat guests you want to mix together on the same table — unlike rounds, guests can't easily converse with the table next to them. Mixed seating is more intentional here.
Name tables (flowers, trees, wines, places) rather than numbering them — long table layouts tend to have a more intimate, romantic feel and names reinforce that.
Service is more complex with long tables. Platters for shared/family-style service work well. Plated service requires caterers to work down both sides simultaneously — discuss choreography with your catering manager.
Leave at least 45cm per place setting and 60–70cm of depth per side. A standard long table (2.4m × 0.75m) comfortably seats 10 — don't try to seat 12.
Candles and low florals on long tables create warmth but are a fire risk. Use LED candles or ensure proper spacing from any fabric décor.
With long tables, guests at the far end from the sweetheart table may feel removed from the action — position the table ends toward the centre aisle so everyone is angled toward the couple.
A standard hire trestle table is 1.8m or 2.4m long. For 10 guests, two 1.8m tables pushed end-to-end (3.6m total) is the minimum — 4.8m is more comfortable. For a dramatic look, hire 6m or 8m stretch tables from specialist event hire companies.
Long table (banquet) style creates a more communal, convivial atmosphere — guests share the full length of the table and platters are often passed family-style. Traditional rounds create more intimate clusters of 8–10 people. Long tables photograph beautifully from overhead but require more careful seating assignment because guests can only easily talk to those directly next to or opposite them.
Yes — a hybrid approach is common. Use long tables for the main dining and round tables for overflow, or use rounds for older guests (easier to get in and out of) and longs for younger groups. Just ensure your table plan clearly marks which is which and that your venue layout accommodates both shapes.
Leave the central aisle between the two rows of long tables clear and widen it to at least 4–5m. After dinner, tables can be pushed back slightly to expand the dance floor. Alternatively, position the long tables perpendicular to the head wall with the dance floor at the far end opposite the sweetheart table.
A 120-guest wedding reception with 15 round tables, a dedicated bridal table, and a central dance floor — the classic layout done right.
View Layout →Corporate & Business100 guests at 10 long banquet tables of 10 — a festive, communal layout that groups teams together and creates a big shared-table atmosphere.
View Layout →Galas & Awards150 guests across 15 round tables of 10, with VIP and sponsor tables positioned closest to the stage and a clear sightline hierarchy.
View Layout →Stop managing seating in spreadsheets. Run Sheets gives you a live table planner — drag and drop guests, set table shapes, export a seating chart, and share it with your venue in seconds.