Event Seating Style: Kings Table Helpful Tips

Post updated August 2025

In the past few years, the use of Kings Tables (or long tables or rectangle tables) style of seating at weddings and events has become increasingly popular. Some advantages of using kings tables are:

• You are seated closer to other guests than if at a round table.
• Kings tables can be as large as you want them to be.
• Kings tables fit better if you have a long and narrow reception venue.

They work for wedding and event styles of every kind, from formal to casual. Some tips if you are planning on using kings tables at your event:

• Do choose assigned seating for your guests with place cards. Sometimes it’s not easy to tell where one table ends and another table begins.
• Ensure that your table is a minimum of 36 inches deep for a place setting on each side and enough space for a narrow centerpiece.
• Consider the width of your chairs and your placesetting, especially if you are using a charger plate/baseplate, to determine how many guests you can fit at a table.
• If you plan on seating guests at the ends of the table, you should remove one seat from each side to accommodate the place settings for those guests sitting on the ends.

An example of a long and narrow room. The Drawing Room at Meridian House in Washington DC. Photo: Kiyah C Photography

Another long and narrow room at Rockwood Manor, Potomac, Maryland. Photo: Carrie Holbo Photography

Rectangular tables mixed with square tables at a tented wedding at Strong Mansion in Maryland. Photo: Mary Kate McKenna Photography

A long table for a head table at an at-home wedding in Great Falls, Virginia. Photo: Kate Haus Photography

A more casual rectangle table for guest seating in the barn of Riverside on the Potomac in Leesburg, VA. Photo: Zoeica Images.

These are just some idea from our vault for you to consider when planning your event or wedding. We share more event and wedding planning tips in this blog. Enjoy, Vicky