A guide to our wedding breakfast tables
Let’s get back to basics…
We get so so many questions on table plans, table decorations, decoration themes and everything else in between, that we thought it best to get it all in one place for you and get back to basics!
Our Alexandra Suite is the beautiful blank canvas of a room where, as the room we host your wedding breakfast in and also your evening reception, you will spend most of your wedding day. So what do you need to know to allow you to plan to perfection and put your stamp on it?
What can you expect us to cover?
Our table plan
Alexandra Suite room layout
What exactly is covered in our wedding package in this room
Capacity numbers and how guest numbers can affect your tables/ plans
Things our couples often forget or oversee when planning their decorations in our Alexandra Suite
Tips to make a ‘WOW’ impact
The room itself
Let’s face it, you came when you first booked your wedding and may have only seen it in the flesh once or twice since then at an open day. And although you’ve likely watched our videos and hopefully stalk us on Instagram, you can’t always visualise the actual size of the room properly.
The Important Details
It has an absolute maximum capacity of 100 guests (this includes the bride and groom)
The top table sits along the centre of the wall on the right looking out towards the conservatory and garden
We can fit up to 9 round tables around the top table
The conservatory is to the left of the room and is home to the bar for your guests and access to the gardens
For your evening reception we will leave about 4/5 round tables up and clear space in the middle for your dancefloor and DJ
Tables can fit up to 10 guests. If you are having charger plates, reduce this to 8 or 9 maximum.
What exactly is included?
One of the main things we pride ourselves on as a wedding venue is that our packages do not put all our wedding couples into the same box. We want all the weddings we host at Sparth House to be individual to the couple. And so with that in mind, in all our wedding packages we provide the basics needed for your wedding breakfast allowing you to build around it and work your style and theme into it.
When you book your wedding or get a quote from us you’ll have already seen this list but here is what is included in terms of styling and decoration in your package:
Floor length white table linen
White cotton napkins
Silver cutlery
Glassware for wine, water & toast
White crockery throughout meal
Limewash Chiavari chairs
Room capacity & table sizes
Our Alexandra Suite can hold up to 100 guests for your wedding breakfast (bride in groom included) and up to 200 in the evening!
We have two size of tables and we will allocate the right size depending on how many guests you’ve sat around that table. Tables can fit up to 10 and should have no less than 6 per table.
If you have charger plates, reduce the number of guests per table to a maximum of 8 or 9.
If you have 100 guests (or very close to that) you’ll need to put 10 guests on every table, including your top table.
Full capacity set up
Top table set for 6 guests
Talking of the top table, we always get asked how long is it?
Well it can be as long as you want, traditionally it is set for 8 people but you can honestly make it as big or as little as you like.
In terms of actual length though, we generally allocate 2ft per person so you can work out how much you need to decorate.
What do our couples often forget when styling the room?
Top table
The two most important people of the day are sat at the centre of the room yet believe it or not, the top table is often one of the most overlooked spaces when it comes to styling and dressing it. But candles, a bit of foliage and a pop of colour running down the middle can make a huge impact for minimal effort.
Another way to make the top table stand out, is to add a backdrop such as a flower wall or a neon sign. Or even to add a floral arch over the top table to really give it that height and drama.
Texture, colour & height
Varying the heights of your table decorations really adds another depth and dimensions to the styling and is a really simple way of creating an impact. This could even be as simple as knotting your napkins to add a bit more height to the place setting. Also different heights of candles is another easy way to add depth.
If your colour palette or theme is quite a neutral one then consider adding a pop of colour into your tables somewhere such as a coloured napkin, menu or seat pad for example.
TOP TIP: Don’t just fill your table centres with ‘stuff’ because you feel like you have to fill the space. Think carefully about what you’re putting on there and you’ll end up with a much more considered look that will make a greater impact that a cluttered one.
You can re-use your decorations
This is great if you’re trying to keep in budget, don’t forget your ceremony and wedding breakfast are happening in two different rooms and any candles or other decorations you use in your ceremony can be moved and utilisied in your wedding breakfast styling. This can really help cut costs if you’re savvy enough! Take these blossom trees for exmaple, perfect addition to the aisle, then moved to either side of the top table later on!
Table numbers & name cards
Table numbers & names are a must! However you do them, just make sure you do them. Your guests will need them to know where to sit and our waiting staff need to know where they’re taking the food too (if you want your guests to be fed anyway hehe!)
Why not speak to your wedding stationary supplier to see if they can make you one to keep in the theme of your other stationary. A simple frame with the table name or number printed in it is a really simple and effective way of doing clear table numbers.
Ways to really make an impact
Why not add our very own glass beaded charger plates to your set up? They’re a simple yet effective way to add interest and dimension to your tables.
Candles - lots of them. They are so versatile and create a great mood, they can easily add height & colour to your tables. Coloured stick candles are great for this and you can get cylinders that go over them so they’re not an open flame.
Coloured napkins are a great way to add a pop of colour to your settings - even in subtle colours like sage green or a pastel blue. You can hire napkins in from suppliers like Simply Bows Lancashire.
Something for the dancefloor space. If you’ve not got many tables at the bottom end because you’ve got fewer day guests then why not consider something for the dancefloor area to fill up some space. Whether it’s a neon sign on a back drop, flower wall or light up letters, they can all make an impact and a perfect photo spot for guests.
And there you have it…
Your guide to all the basics about planning and prepping for your wedding breakfast.
Now we’ve got the basics covered, keep your eyes out for some of our new themed set ups coming soon!
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