Round tables (in Italian, tavoli tondi) are the most used at receptions. Everyone sees everyone, conversation flows and waiters serve the whole table in a circular route. They suit groups of friends, families, colleagues, and make the seating plan simple.
To work out seats, the most common method divides the table's circumference by about 60 cm per person: a 160 cm round thus seats 8 people. Banquets often use larger rounds. As a rough guide, with rounds of ten, you need about ten tables for every hundred guests, plus a spare. Between tables there must be room for waiters and trolleys, even with chairs pushed back.
What to ask
Ask the caterer or hire company for the available diameters, how many people they seat per table and a room plan with walkways. The choices are in the guides to table layout and mise en place.
