42 Stunning Banquet Tables for Your Reception

Banquets have a long and rich history of serving as celebratory gatherings, and the intimate, festive vibe they embrace has been carried on through weddings. Banquet-style seating can feel regal or rustic, and the long, sprawling tables make great foundations for seamless décor. Though round tables have their benefits—they're a reception classic and make grouping guests easy—rectangular arrangements invite a more familial feel, while looking exceptionally romantic. Smaller weddings can embrace the style to keep everyone together, while larger weddings can optimize space with rows set up throughout the venue. And even if you're not fully committed to banquet-style seating, a long head table is a big-day favorite at wedding receptions. For long-table inspiration, look no further than these arrangements from real weddings.

At this beautiful outdoor vineyard wedding, attendees dined side-by-side in the fresh summer air. "Dinner was family-style," recalls the groom, who "wanted it to feel like a meal at home—comfortable and inviting, where guests passed plates to one another."

Charming Reception Table

Southern charm graced this pretty wedding, all the way down to the welcoming reception. A long wooden table sat beneath the tent, with complementary chairs and woodsy smilax vine strung above.

Summery Reception Table

Ikat table runners and cheery floral arrangements made this bright setup especially inviting.

Reception Farm Table

Mingling was made easy at this backyard wedding, where guests were seated beneath pretty lights, eucalyptus, and an antler chandelier.

Handmade Reception Table

The bride's dad, a former cabinet maker, built the farm tables at this reception. Deep red candlesticks and simple floral arrangements gave them a homey feel.

Garden Reception Table

This elegant garden wedding featured blush tablecloths (from La Tavola Fine Linen Rental) and tulle overlays custom-made for the newlyweds.

Wintry Reception Tables

Gray tablecloths and white chairs made the long tables at this cold-weather wedding seasonally appropriate.

Pink Reception Table

Pink flowers and gold and black accents adorned long white tables at this playful rose-garden reception. Not pictured are a set of round tables, too, which were dressed in sparkly linens to complete the couple's light-hearted vision.

Casual Reception Tables

The bride and her friends DIYed the blue-dyed shibori placemats at this reception, while centerpieces were sprawled out on wooden slabs that ran the length of the tables.

Fun Reception Tables

This modern and whimsical wedding went banquet-style with the ultimate party setup. Tassels, fringe, and big, bold balloons kept things fun, flirty, and festive.

Fresh Reception Table

The tropical vibe at this island wedding was integrated into the reception tables, where refreshing local greenery and cream-colored linens kept the tablescapes light and airy.

Dainty Reception Table

Lace and peachy pastels softened up the rustic weathered tables at this wedding.

Modern Reception Table

The small guest list at this destination wedding was seated at one long table with mod orange, blue, and marble accents.

Colorful Reception Table

The wedding reception décor was filled with whimsy at the long table where this celebration's bridal party sat.

Ballet-Inspired Reception Tables

These banquet-style rows were dolled up with a frilly covering of custom tutu-esque linens.

Family-Style Reception Table

Guests at this wedding dined amidst breathtaking views and the crisp white linens and simple table arrangements made sure nothing detracted from the venue scenery.

Floral Reception Table

Overflowing greenery and vintage brass candleholders transformed this wooden head table into a dreamy foliage-filled escape.

Warm Reception Table

Hurricane vessels provided a candlelit glow that beautifully accentuated this inviting arrangement.

Destination Reception Table

Local details made this destination reception table memorable, including the papel picado (Mexican paper cut) flags strung overhead.

Garland Reception Tables

This black tie wedding pulled off banquet seating with elegant tablecloths and eucalyptus runners in lieu of flowers.

Resort Reception Table

Rustic details accented this single, long reception table, which wrapped around the venue room to accommodate all guests.

Lush Reception Table

Regal seats sat waiting to serve at this dark-wood table with a cascading foliage runner. Cynthia Manchester of Oleander shared that the goal was to keep things "elegant and refined but also warm and inviting."

Indoor Reception Tables

The wooden tables at this reception offered edible centerpieces for guests to snack on, including plenty of fresh produce and appetizers for the main course.

Tent Reception Table

Clear ghost chairs added an unexpected element to these otherwise-familiar farm tables.

Bright Reception Table

Orange and white floral centerpieces popped against pink and blue pastels on this unique and long tablescape.

Pastel Reception Table

The blue tabletop and orange-backed chairs looked gorgeous next to this reception venue's pink flair.

Hotel Reception Tables

Industrial details contrasted the floating flowers hovering over the two long tables at this hotel wedding.

Cream Reception Tables

The cream-colored tables and chairs at this reception offered a clean backdrop for length-wise greenery.

Red-Accented Reception Table

Family-style dining was made complete with bottles of this couple's hot sauce wedding favors joining the spread.

Rustic Reception Tables

Folding chairs kept things casual at this fun and inviting fall wedding.

Estate Reception Tables

"We kept going back to this old-world elegance," said this bride of her reception décor. "We wanted it to feel like you were at a coastal estate, regardless of place or time."

Glamorous Reception Table

Purple and gold seating plus green and blue mismatched goblets made this curving reception table—a common European table arrangement—both glitzy and eclectic.

White Reception Table

This lengthy table was set up on the venue terrace, giving guests a taste of the lovely weather outside.

Jewel-Tone Reception Table

The colorful glass bottles on this dreamy tablescape were matched perfectly to the flowers hanging above on a beautiful installation.

Thanksgiving Reception Table

This reception setup was modeled after the groom's family's Thanksgiving tradition of bringing carpets and the dining table outdoors and eating al fresco on the holiday. The wooden table was rented from Hammade Furniture and sat atop oriental rugs.

Reception Head Table

This long head table was reserved for the wedding party and immediate family members and had greenery overhead and orchid "curtains" beside it.

Seaside Reception Table

Beautiful tables were decorated in white and pushed together for a seamless U-shaped seating arrangement at this wedding. The head table's ghost chairs had a special addition—sheepskins set out for the bridal party.

Wedding Party Reception Table

This rustic farm table seated the wedding party, and featured pink and peach flowers in a garland runner centerpiece.

Seasonal Reception Table

In-season blooms, pretty table numbers, and purple and gold accents made this banquet-style table warm and welcoming.

White and Red Reception Tables

Rows of white tables were set with red napkins at this tent reception, with soft draping by Planned Perfectly hanging between them.

Barn Reception Tables

"It was important to us that everyone at the wedding—our close friends and family—felt like part of one big family during the reception, so we had barn tables arranged in long rows so everyone could meet and get to know each other and enjoy dinner together," shared this bride of her long and simple table arrangements.

Dreamy Reception Table

Gauzy blue-gray fabric was set atop this family-style table and the chairs that sat at it. The drapey, dyed accents gave the intimate scene an ethereal touch.