Long Tables vs. Round Tables: Why Long Table Seating is Better for Singapore Weddings

When planning a wedding in Singapore, one of the most frustrating challenges is the seating arrangement. Many banquet venues offer round tables seating 10 guests per table, which sounds simple—until you start working on your seating chart. Suddenly, you’re juggling guest lists, figuring out who belongs where, and dealing with the awkward issue of empty seats or mismatched groups. This is where long table seating comes in as a game-changer. If you're debating between long tables and round tables, here’s why long tables are the better choice for your Singapore wedding.

1. Round Tables Require Exact Groups of 10 – A Seating Chart Nightmare One of the biggest hidden headaches of round table seating is the fixed table size. Most hotel and Chinese banquet venues in Singapore seat 10 guests per table. While that may seem straightforward, it often leads to: ❌ Empty seats – If you have a group of 8 or 9 people, you’re still paying for a full table of 10. That’s wasted money! ❌ Awkward guest placements – If you have a group of 12, you’ll either have to split them up or add random guests to "fill" a table. This can lead to uncomfortable seating arrangements where some guests feel out of place. ❌ Difficult last-minute changes – If a guest cancels at the last minute, it throws off the balance of the table, and you're still paying for their seat. With long tables, there’s no need to force groups into strict sets of 10. You can seat guests more flexibly—whether in groups of 6, 8, 12, or more—without the stress of filling up an exact number of seats. This makes seating chart planning far less stressful and more cost-effective. Perfect for: ✅ Couples who don’t want the stress of forced seating groups ✅ Weddings with guest counts that don’t fit neatly into tables of 10 ✅ Couples who want to seat friends and family more naturally

2. Encourages Better Interaction & Conversation Round tables often result in small, isolated conversations between guests sitting next to each other. Those at the same table may struggle to hear guests sitting directly across from them, making socialising difficult—especially in large ballrooms with loud music. Long tables, on the other hand, create a more communal and social atmosphere. Guests can easily: 💬 Chat naturally with people next to them and across the table 🥂 Interact with more people instead of being limited to a small circle 📸 Enjoy a seamless, connected setting for group photos This is especially great for weddings where you want guests to mingle rather than sticking to their assigned groups. Perfect for: ✅ Couples who want a lively, social atmosphere ✅ Smaller weddings where guests should mingle freely ✅ Venues with an open, communal layout

3. Maximises Space & Venue Layout Many Singapore wedding venues have limited space, and round tables can actually make a venue feel cramped. The gaps between round tables waste space, and waiters often have difficulty navigating the aisles between them. Long tables, however, make better use of space by: 📏 Allowing more guests to fit comfortably 🪑 Creating clean, structured seating arrangements 🚶‍♂️ Providing better walking paths for guests and servers For venues with rectangular or narrow layouts, such as The Clifford Pier, CHIJMES, or The Summerhouse, long tables work far better than round ones. Perfect for: ✅ Weddings with a large guest list in a smaller venue ✅ Venues with long, narrow spaces ✅ Couples who want a spacious, airy feel