7 tips for choosing wedding table names

If - like myself and Mrs R decided at our own wedding - that names rather than numbers will adorn the tables at your reception, you will most likely have started another list (of the many, many endless lists wedding preparations germinate) noting down some ideas. There’s nothing inherently wrong with numbers, of course, and I have seem some beautiful table numbers that would not have looked out of place in the Lindisfarne Gospels, so ornate were they. Number also have the benefit of not requiring having to give over even more time and thought to one of the more creative aspects of the wedding preparations - but then, this is the fun part of the process.

Here are seven tips to ensure your wedding table names impress your guests:

1. When thinking of ideas for your wedding table names, it goes without saying that the more personal, the better. Themes that touch you as a couple resonate stronger than simply choosing a selection of places or people to whom guests will struggle to find a link with you both.

2. Any subject can be made to work, so leave nothing off the table if it means something to you and your partner. It may seem prudent to steer clear of names that, for example, refer to your preferred menu of alcoholic beverages over a typical weekend, but even this done well can work or lead you to further ideas. For example, some cocktail names can add a certain retrospective elegance for a vintage wedding (think of less obvious ones such as Manhattan or Sidecar that will keep your guests intrigued) , whereas if you are a bit of a wine connoisseur your favourite wine regions may appeal (some regions sound almost magical, thinking of Sonoma, Russian River and Yarra).

3. When choosing place names as your wedding table names, be specific. Having countries that you may have both visited as a couple is a little vague; dig a little deeper and try to decide on specific cities or regions that bring back happy memories for you. A swathe of tables reading New York, Nice, Cuszco and Rome feels more a touch more personal than USA, France, Peru and Italy.

4. Choosing names of films, plays, books and music, either songs, composers or artists, is a useful way of bringing together your two separate interests. Not every couple is going to agree on their favourites, so choose roughly half and half and keep your guests guessing which tables were the preferences of the bride and which of the groom.

5. You could try going one step deeper in your literary, film and music preferences by choosing characters from books, film and music rather than the titles themselves. Add a little mystique to the proceedings by just using surnames or nicknames. For example the characters from Casablanca would produce the table names Laszlo, Blaine, Lund, Renault and, of course, Sam.

6. It sounds obvious, but try to keep your name choices in line with the theme and tone of your whole wedding reception. Table names reflecting your favourite Transformers robots are going to jar somewhat if you are planning a Fifties-themed wedding beautifully decked out with bunting and vintage knick-knacks. As will all other aspects of the reception, there is a psychological expectation of what to expect and makes your guests feel at ease.

7. Having said that, challenging your guests expectations can also prove a lot of fun. Working in line with your table plan, you could organise seating around the table names or vice versa. One wedding I attended with Mrs R had table names that reflected the areas of the country from which guests had travelled with those guests seated appropriately. Tailoring names in a way that interacts with your guests not only adds a elegant little touch to your reception, but shows that you have thought carefully about your guests.

Bon chance

Mr R

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