Can you explain the difference between all the types of seating arrangements?

And what's the most popular seating arrangements at the moment?

Rebecca C

Question Asked: 16/08/2022

Wedding Date: 20/04/2025

Most Helpful Response

Rippon Lea Estate

(54) · Melbourne

Posted: 31/08/2022

Hi Katrina,

I am delighted to confirm there are various floor plan and seating options available at Rippon Lea Estate for your special day. 

The Pool Terrace is set with a mix of cafte style furniture and marble top cocktail style tables, for the most memorible welcome for guests around the pool and infront of the iconic water fountain, while canapes and arrival drinks are served. 

For seated weddings, we can offer round tables or long tables for up to 170 guests inside The Ballroom. 

If there is less than 140 guests, a dancefloor can be located inside The Elegant Ballroom and if there is more than 140 guests dancefloor area based in the pool terrace, which is draped in fairy lights above and makes for the most magical first dance backdrop. 

For smaller guest numbers The Ballroom has two levels which means with the assistance of your producer creating a tailored floor plan, you can host a perfect intimate wedding for 50 guests and above. 

For Cocktail Weddings, we include high cocktail tables and outdoor furniture that couples can utilise to create the perfect indoor/outdoor wedding space for up to 300 guests. 

Please just get in touch with Showtime Event Group if you wish to recieve any floor plans or additional information. 

Answered by: 7 Experts

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Quamby Estate

(9) · Launceston

Posted: 19/08/2022

We recommend seating arrangements depending on which of the many beautiful spaces you select within our venue.

For intimate weddings in our Homestead Dining Room (former ballroom) we recommend a long banquet style down the length of the room, this suits the grand style of the room and the long shape. For receptions in our Sir Richard Dry glass Pavilion, which has a much larger capacity we find round tables are most popular. Round tables allow for larger centerpeices / table decoration. Most couples choose to have a seperate rectangular bridal table; however, having no bridal table with the couple and bridal party intergrated into guests seating is now growing in popularity. We are always happy to discuss floorplans and seating arrangements with you, as every couple is different.

Swallowfield Vineyards

(36) · Melbourne

Posted: 17/08/2022

Hi Katrina, currently the big trend we are seeing for 22/23 is for banquet style tables. (think Harry potter style.) This is where everyone sits at the same long table. There are usually 2 or 3 depending on the amount of people you wish to accomodate. They definately take the headache out of seating plans, and they look stunning styled in one continuous line. We can provide the tressles and chairs for up to 100 people.

Because Swallowfield Vineyards is a fully customisable venue, the other table options are up to you. You can bring in rounded tables, create a U shaped seating arrangements, lawn rugs and pillows with grazing boards, lounge chairs or stools and wine barrels. It is only limited by your imagination.

Ding Dang Doo Ranch

(16) · Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains

Posted: 17/08/2022

Hi Katrina,

Our venue looks the best with a long table! Long tables are still very much on trend and we have a great rustic setting, and are seen to be more social. However we can also provide you with:

  1. Banquet is when people sit the entire way around a round table. 
  2. Cabaret is when a gap is left at the front of the table, so that no-one has their back to the front (used mainly in a corporate environment). 
  3. U-shape is long tables forming a horseshoe shape 

Hope this helps, 

Kind Regards,

Carla

Burnham Estate

(33) · Southern Highlands

Posted: 17/08/2022

Hi Katrina!

We have a range of different seating options for our reception venue including:

Seated weddings - for more formal style events with alternate serve or share platter options

  • Floor plans ranging from 20 guests up to 150 guests on round or banquet style seating in a range of configurations in the room
  • Round tables can seat up to 130 guests
  • Banquet style tables can seat up to 150 guests

Cocktail weddings - for a more informal style with cocktail style menu served

  • Set with wine barrel bar tables with stools, some seated tables and outdoor furnishings.
  • You are welcome to provide additional lounge seating and we can recomend local suppliers for these if needed

Each wedding is different with a mix of people attending so every day is different in our venue to suit the vision and dynamics of the couple and their guests. 

Let us know if you need anything else!

The Coast Chapel, Little Bay

(14) · Little Bay, Sydney

Posted: 17/08/2022

The Coast Chapel accommodate up to 80 people inside the chapel (as we have 16 pews altogether). We can put extra chairs (up to 15) in the covered foyer area. The foyer area can see the inside of the chapel and there is a a speaker in the foyer area. 

Sfera's Park Suites and Convention Centre

(126) · South Australia

Posted: 17/08/2022

Banquet is when people sit the entire way around a round table. 

Cabaret is when a gap is left at the front of the table, so that no-one has their back to the front (used mainly in a corporate environment). 

U-shape is long tables forming a horseshoe shape (great for intimate weddings). 

Other seating decision is choosing between round or long tables generally.  Long tables are still very much on trend, and are seen to be more social.

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