Personally, when it comes to dining and sharing meals my preference is to use round tables. How I think, when it comes to event planning, is much differently. Why?
Because the client isn't paying me to play it safe and boring - and round tables are "traditional" and kind of boring, round tables are not my first choice. Clients want to be blown away and not see themselves coming and going, and I don't blame them one bit.
"Traditional" (otherwise known as "timeless") will usually withstand the test of time, which usually stands on it's own. But oftentimes, to dress up something traditional is to usually to spend quite a bit of money (that you may not have or may not want to spend).
I've always said, If what you're willing to pay a professional planner to do is something that you, your aunts, uncles, and a few cousins, could do - then save yourself the money and don't bother to call a professional party (event) planner.
Because a party planner or event planners job is to give you something that you wouldn't normally have, because you wouldn't have thought of it. But let me explain why I personally do like round tables.
It's easier to talk with people at a round table. Why? Because people aren't seated far apart.
Standard banquets use rounds of 10. If you need more seats, do rounds of 12. If your main goal is to have the room look full and space isn't so much of an issue, use rounds of 8.
When it comes to standing at stand up or "cocktail tables", I view that space as space that is still an important issue. It's important that you allow enough room for your guests to feel like they're part of the action yet still maintain their personal space.
My suggestion is that you try to stay in the six- to 10-feet-per-person range. The ideal is that you use about seven- and-a-half feet per person, which will create a"comfortably crowded" room type of vibe.
Good luck with your dinner party! Let me know how everything goes.
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