Back to Carden blog

Contact us

Wedding Traditions: Top Table

Are you in the midst of wedding planning or perhaps you’re a well-organised Maid of Honour doing the research for the Bride-to-be?

As we look forward to the beauty of Spring and Summer weddings here in Cheshire, we wanted to delve into the traditions and superstitions that have surrounded weddings for hundreds of years.

Our first topic – The Top Table

Wedding Traditions: Top Table

 

Shane Webber Photography

 

A familiar feature in most weddings, the long table at the head of the room, designed as a way for guests to see the wedding party enjoying themselves and vice versa.

Traditionally, the order of wedding guests goes Maid of Honour, Father of the Groom, Mother of the Bride, Groom, Bride, Father of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Best Man.

And although it’s still a very common sight in British weddings, Brides and Grooms are thinking of ways to turn the tradition on its head!

So if you are looking for a few suggestions that break with tradition, here is our wedding top tips list:

  1. An increase in a more modern family set up means that a traditional top table isn’t the answer for many couples. Which is why a U-shape is proving more and more popular, especially with younger generations. Adapting the table to mix both friends and family is a great way to keep the tradition alive with a more relaxed vibe.
  2. ‘Sweetheart’ tables mean that all eyes are on you. Consisting of one table and two chairs, there’s no need to worry about a seating hierarchy and that the wedding focuses on the main attraction – the newly wedded couple!
  3. Like the idea of a sweetheart table but worried about feeling a little lonely up there? Ask your Maid of Honour and Best Man to join you for a less ostentatious version of the top table
  4. All this sound like too much hassle? Why not cut the top table completely from your seating plan! Many modern couples are finding that they enjoy being amongst their guests whether that be in a central table or along a large row table.

Whether your wedding is a fully traditional day or you are putting your own spin on your big day, we hope we’ve given you some food for thought!

Discover more inspiration and find out more about we can help you create the wedding of your dreams at our wedding open evening Tuesday 2nd April 5pm – 8pm.


@cardenpark

Keep up to date

Harvest season has arrived at Carden Park 🍇🥂

Our homegrown grapes are being carefully gathered from the vineyard, ready to be crafted into our very own Carden Estate Reserve Sparkling Wine for guests to enjoy here at the hotel

Carden Park Estate // Vineyard Harvest // Home grown Wine // From Vine To Glass // English Wine

47 1
Open post by cardenpark with ID 18101745470011859
Harvest season has arrived at Carden Park 🍇🥂 Our homegrown grapes are being carefully gathered from the vineyard, ready to be crafted into our very own Carden Estate Reserve Sparkling Wine for guests to enjoy here at the hotel Carden Park Estate // Vineyard Harvest // Home grown Wine // From Vine To Glass // English Wine

⛳ Make More of Your 2027 Golf Break!

Book your group golf break before 31st October 2026 and enjoy fantastic rewards!
🏌️ 1 FREE place for every 12 golfers
🥂 10% off drinks across the resort
🏨 12+ golfers? The organiser gets a complimentary overnight stay & breakfast for two.*

Get your group together and start planning! ⛳
*Terms & conditions apply.

Golf courses in Cheshire // Chester golf resort // Golf breaks // Golf season 2027 // Golfer

52 1
Open post by cardenpark with ID 17974790168933606
⛳ Make More of Your 2027 Golf Break! Book your group golf break before 31st October 2026 and enjoy fantastic rewards! 🏌️ 1 FREE place for every 12 golfers 🥂 10% off drinks across the resort 🏨 12+ golfers? The organiser gets a complimentary overnight stay & breakfast for two.* Get your group together and start planning! ⛳ *Terms & conditions apply. Golf courses in Cheshire // Chester golf resort // Golf breaks // Golf season 2027 // Golfer

Meet our Estates Manager, Peter Pattenden, as he gives us the full story behind our new football pitch ⚽️

Please note, both of our football pitches here are for professional teams only

Sports training // Football teams // Sports retreats // Fooball training // Sports training near Wrexham // Carden Park Hotel // Luxury hotel in Cheshire

174 5
Open post by cardenpark with ID 17905776882553221
Meet our Estates Manager, Peter Pattenden, as he gives us the full story behind our new football pitch ⚽️ Please note, both of our football pitches here are for professional teams only Sports training // Football teams // Sports retreats // Fooball training // Sports training near Wrexham // Carden Park Hotel // Luxury hotel in Cheshire

🍂 A little autumn adventure awaits… 🎯✨

Half term is the perfect excuse to escape, slow down and make some special family memories 🎯🍁

Family break away // School holidays // Outdoor Pursuits at Carden Park Hotel // Where to stay in Cheshire // October half term

49 0
Open post by cardenpark with ID 18075553094719345
🍂 A little autumn adventure awaits… 🎯✨ Half term is the perfect excuse to escape, slow down and make some special family memories 🎯🍁 Family break away // School holidays // Outdoor Pursuits at Carden Park Hotel // Where to stay in Cheshire // October half term

✨ Midweek Meltaway ✨

Escape, unwind and indulge with a full day spa experience

🫧 10am–5pm
🫧 Healthy spa lunch
🫧 Full Spa Garden & Thermal access

Available Tuesdays–Thursdays from £139pp

Your midweek escape starts here 🤍

Link to book in our bio ⬆️

The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Luxury spas in Cheshire // Relax // Self-care // Spa days

88 6
Open post by cardenpark with ID 18474124672113757
✨ Midweek Meltaway ✨ Escape, unwind and indulge with a full day spa experience 🫧 10am–5pm 🫧 Healthy spa lunch 🫧 Full Spa Garden & Thermal access Available Tuesdays–Thursdays from £139pp Your midweek escape starts here 🤍 Link to book in our bio ⬆️ The Spa at Carden Park Hotel // Luxury spas in Cheshire // Relax // Self-care // Spa days

The distant sound of sleigh bells can be heard 🔔 it can only mean one thing... there`s only 100 days until Christmas 🎅

We`re bringing you all the magic you need this festive season:
🎄 Festive twilight spa experiences
🎄 Cosy Christmas breaks
🎄 Sparkling party nights with private party options available
🎄 Christmas shopping breaks
🎄 Delicious festive dining
🎄 New Year`s soirées

Who else is feeling ready for Christmas?

Christmas parties // Festive // 100 days until Christmas // Winter breaks // Christmas breaks // Where to stay in Cheshire // Travel in the UK // Winter spa days // Spa breaks

363 15
Open post by cardenpark with ID 18016366799927330
The distant sound of sleigh bells can be heard 🔔 it can only mean one thing... there's only 100 days until Christmas 🎅 We're bringing you all the magic you need this festive season: 🎄 Festive twilight spa experiences 🎄 Cosy Christmas breaks 🎄 Sparkling party nights with private party options available 🎄 Christmas shopping breaks 🎄 Delicious festive dining 🎄 New Year's soirées Who else is feeling ready for Christmas? Christmas parties // Festive // 100 days until Christmas // Winter breaks // Christmas breaks // Where to stay in Cheshire // Travel in the UK // Winter spa days // Spa breaks

We’d love to hear from you

Stay in touch

and receive the latest news, events and much more.

Thank You

"*" indicates required fields

Before we add you to our newsletter, please tell us a little more about what news you’d like to hear from us.

Send me news about

If you don’t make a selection, you will automatically be added to all communications

Topics
The legal bit
Privacy Policy*
Newsletter consent*