I was meeting with a wedding couple the other day who were in the very early phases of their wedding planning. We were discussing whether or not they would choose to sit with their wedding party at a head table, or as a couple, at a sweetheart table. The groom summarized his motivation for sitting alone with his new bride quite succinctly when he said, “I want to eat.”

There is certainly a healthy list of pros and cons about which set-up will have more meaning for you as a couple, but, I cannot argue with this groom’s excited palette. They had already met with their caterer and were both looking forward to the dinner they had selected. Apparently, this groom felt that the distraction of entertaining an entire wedding party would prevent him from “getting it while it’s hot” and he probably isn’t wrong. To his credit, after a short pause, he turned to his fiancé and sweetly added, “I want to enjoy some part of the evening just with you.”

Perfectly stated. Well done, sir.

If you choose to sit a sweetheart table there is something that I suggest you keep in mind. Everyone in the reception is going to take a moment or two during the meal to look at you, the newlyweds, reading your happy expressions, watching your interactions and admiring your perfectly planned ensemble. This small table suddenly becomes a major focal point for your wedding and it’s going to need some décor.

Simple decor elements for your sweetheart table

There are several ways you can approach “dressing” your sweetheart table. Most wedding couples use the bride’s bouquet as a central element. A wedding bouquet is the most important floral design of the day, so it makes sense that we put it in a highly visible location. Like us, your florist will have several vase styles that you can choose from that will match your décor, or you can use a simple glass cylinder. We will put an inch or two of water in the bottom to help keep the flowers fit and healthy throughout the evening. If neither of you are carrying a bouquet, we can design a floral element that sits low, in front of your place settings.

If you want to keep things simple or if budget is a consideration, we can add votives and/or loose greenery to the table. Your selected vase will be set in place during set-up so that when you finally sit down, you’ll know exactly what to do with your flowers.

Sweetheart tables can make a statement

There is another gear for sweetheart tables. In fact, you can really make a big splash with a design style that ties all of your flowers and decor together. Greenery-only or floral garland can frame the front of the table and even cascade down the sides of your table onto the floor. Candles or lanterns nestled among the greens add a little ambience. We can also design a low, lush floral piece that cascades over the edge of your table for a romantic, garden style that creates a timeless image of your first hours together as a couple.

There are also several ways that we can raise the sweetheart table decor above you as the wedding couple for an even more dramatic look. The hanging design at the top of the page was secured with ropes from the beams above at Shadowcreek. Our team can also use tall stands or pillars to add a raised fixture that does not have to be attached to a beam or the ceiling. If you think you would like to do something a little more dramatic, then let’s talk through some of your options. You may be surprised to find that with a little creativity, we can put the final touch on your wedding decor and create a special space for the two of you to relax, share a moment and eat some amazing food.