23 Beautiful Banquet-Style Tables For Your Wedding Reception

Aside from the ceremony, the second most important part of the wedding is the reception meal where, for one special night, all of your friends, family, and loved ones will sit together in your honor, making it a truly magical night of revisiting cherished memories and creating new ones. For those hosting a large wedding, there's no easier way to make your celebration feel warm and intimate than with long, banquet-style reception tables. What are some other benefits of long tables? We're glad you asked...

1. Not only are they beautiful and romantic, but they're perfect for facilitating conversation among your guests—especially for people who are meeting for the first time or haven't seen each other in a long time. You want to make sure you're not sequestering people to smaller tables when they don't get to see each other very often. Weddings are supposed to be a time of celebrating you, the couple, but also a coming together for the celebration.
2. They're easily customizable, serving as blank canvases and giving you myriad style possibilities to suit you and your partner's tastes for a night in good company.
3. They make for some amazing photos. Surely you've seen the long, winding table reception photos all over Pinterest—imagine doing one super long table? Talk about Insta-worthy.
4. There are more options for centerpieces. If you have smaller, round tables you can't execute a runner, and you won't have the same impact with candles—even if you place a lot on a small table, it looks much more impressive to have tons and tons sweeping down a long table.

Whether you're hosting backyard nuptials or a classic ballroom ceremony, a long reception table can make your guests feel right at home. Rustic wooden tables are perfect for family-style seating, where guests can pass along various dishes and choose their own portions and plates.

Add a dash of whimsy with lush greenery garlands or floral centerpieces that adorn the length of the table, dotted with mismatched plates and silverware for a garden party vibe. If you're hosting a more elegant bash, drape your tables with neutral colors like ivory or slate for a clean, airy look and pair with gilded accents and dark wooden chairs. For lighting, consider using hanging café lights to brighten up the night's toasts or opt for romantic candelabras to create a truly magical setting.

With any of these long reception table ideas, your guests will feel like a special part of your big day. Click through our slideshow to see how you can design your own.