Take a seat

Whether you’ve already booked your wedding venue or are still exploring options, it’s worth taking time to imagine how your reception will look and feel. Your choice of layout shapes how guests interact, how the space photographs, and the kind of styling that will suit best.

Image by Iain Irwin

At Magheramorne Estate, our elegant Ballroom is designed for flexibility and can be styled in countless ways to suit your guest numbers and personal tastes. Below, we share some inspiration and practical advice to help you decide which arrangement best complements your day, debating the merits of round versus long table dining and a variety of top table styles.

Round tables

Round tables are often the hallmark of a traditional wedding reception; elegant, balanced and timeless. They naturally create smaller pockets of conversation and lend themselves perfectly to plated dining or formal service. While many couples assume round tables are the most social choice, the distance between guests opposite each other can make it trickier to chat across the table once the music and laughter begin. Still, round tables remain a favourite for couples seeking a classic, graceful aesthetic.

Images by Gillian Higgins

From a styling perspective, round tables are wonderfully versatile. They provide a natural focal point for floral displays, whether you prefer a single sculptural arrangement or clusters of seasonal blooms surrounded by flickering tealights. Their symmetry makes them ideal for statement centrepieces, whether tall, low, or a mix of both.

At Magheramorne, our 6ft round tables comfortably seat ten guests, with smaller options available if you’d like to vary the layout.

Long tables

Long, banquet-style tables are a modern favourite and bring an entirely different energy to the room. Guests sit closer together and the room takes on a communal feel. When the Ballroom is filled with candlelight, rows of sparkling glassware and elegant place settings stretching the length of the space, the effect is both dramatic and intimate.

Images by Agape Stories

From a practical point of view, long tables allow you to seat more guests comfortably within a rectangular room. They’re ideal if you’re planning shared platters or family-style dining, as serving and sharing feels effortless. Long tables also photograph beautifully with the leading lines, the symmetry, and the glow of taper candles down the centre.

Styling long tables opens up countless creative possibilities. Consider relaxed greenery, bud vases, or soft runners punctuated by flickering lights. The simplicity of the layout means you can achieve a sophisticated look without the need for multiple centrepieces.

Top of the tables

It is worth taking time to consider the location and style of your “top table”.

When viewing our 360 tour, you will see the two possible options for placement of a long or oval table – the “garden” wall or the “woodland” wall. Your choice here will depend on the number of guests and your chosen layout.

A long top table works beautifully with either round or long table layouts, giving you and your wedding party a commanding view of the room and the chance to enjoy every moment together.

Images by Simple Tapestry

An oval table is a modern take on this with a softer aesthetic. The curved space gives you the same view of the room, but with better connection to the rest of your bridal party.

Images by Simple Tapestry

Perhaps you crave a moment of intimacy and privacy for your first meal together? A sweetheart table for two can feel wonderfully personal and give you time together to connect.

For brides and grooms who want to immerse themselves in the buzz of the crowd and forgo the traditional top table, there is the option to be simply seated at a round table in the centre of your guests. When it is time for speeches, speakers can take the mic at the front of the room where they can be easily seen.

Room to celebrate

Whichever layout you choose, your table plan should reflect your personality, your menu and the atmosphere you want to create. Some couples love the sense of tradition that round tables bring, while others prefer the energy and connection of long banquet dining. At Magheramorne, your dedicated event planner will work closely with you to map out your ideal plan, taking into account your guest count, service style, and the flow of the day. We’ll ensure your layout feels effortless, elegant, and perfectly suited to the celebration you’ve imagined.

Image by Emma Kenny

Next steps

If you would like to see how the Ballroom can be styled for your own wedding, we would love to welcome you for a private viewing. Our team can show you sample layouts, share photographs from past celebrations, and help you picture exactly how your day could unfold. Contact us to arrange an appointment.

Not able to make it to the estate? Our 360 tour can help you get a sense of the Ballroom space, and allows you to view it round and long table style.

 We can’t wait to help you create a day that’s beautifully, unmistakably yours.

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