Cool or Creepy? You Decide
By TwistieIn the past week, I’ve seen a new trend talked up on two different wedding reality shows. On both Rich Bride, Poor Bride and Whose Wedding is it, Anyway? couples have been advised to get and have chosen to hire living tables.
What’s a living (or strolling) table? Well, it’s a person who dresses up in a costume and stands inside a hole in a table on casters decorated to match the costume. The table is then set with a selection of hors d’oeuvres, or desserts that guests can help themselves to as the table wanders through your reception or party.
Here’s what it looks like:
There’s also a head-only version that pops up and says sassy things to your guests:
I don’t know about you guys, but I find this concept a bit on the creepy side. I can’t help thinking it combines the worst aspects of costumed mascots and living statues or mimes…but then I’ve never liked any of those things. Your mileage may well vary.
And while I know it’s an honest job for people who need one – and some of them no doubt really enjoy the work – I can’t help being reminded of things like nobles using their servants as living chess pieces and feeling oddly uncomfortable with the whole thing.
Most of all, I can’t get past my personal prejudice that furniture should not move under its own power and food shouldn’t talk back.
So that’s my stand. Don’t want. Would really prefer not to see or deal with up close and personal. But I’m curious about how all of you feel. Do you think it’s cool and fun? Kinda creepy? No problem but no interest? You tell me.
December 14th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
I have to say the first one with the elegant lady is strangely compelling. The second, veggie table with the head only is a mite grotesque.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
JUst think, some people are scared of clowns. Imagine what this would do!
Anne
December 14th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
this is really creepy. i would definitely feel uncomfortable seeing this or having it at my own wedding. if i were a guest as a wedding with either example pictured i would not have any appetizers just to avoid these people.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
My husband agrees with you. He is totally creeped out. I think the ladies are pretty cool, now the head would totally creep me out.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I was all set to come down on the Creepy side of things until I realized that most of the Living Tables were drag queens. For some reason this makes it much less creepy and far more Fabulous.
If your wedding is the type of wedding that features drag queens, then I think a living table would be awesome.
December 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Creepy creepy creepy. It seems like one of those things that are just designed to jump out at you and yell “Gotcha!”
It seems like a very bad idea to startle someone dressed in a fancy outfit holding a small plate full of food and a dark beverage. I guess if you offered to throw in the dry cleaning bill for free.
December 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I can’t help being reminded of things like nobles using their servants as living chess pieces
Yes, exactly! Which is why I’d totally consider it if I ever had the reason and wherewithal to throw a Louis XIV-themed party. Which I think could be totally fantastic, especially if I could figure out a way to bring the Affair of the Poisons into it… ah heck, make it a Louis XIV-XIV party and take all the best parts of each. Then the party’s over when the Revolution starts, the tables revolt, and we’ll frame the exit door with a cardboard guillotine.
But for a wedding… not so much.
December 14th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
This is what I think:
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!
December 14th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Sidian, the site I happened to link is drag queens, and I’m all for supporting drag queens, but I do feel I must point out that there are dozens of websites devoted to selling this service and most of them are not populated with drag queens. But now I’m thinking that while I’m not interested in strolling tables, I could really go with the idea of platters being passed around by drag queens. It’s a fine distinction, but it works in my head.
Teleri B., I think I love you and I totally want to be invited to that party. It’s about the only one I could think of where these tables wouldn’t creep the hell out of me. Well, actually, they still would, but in a way that really fits the theme of the party, so I’m cool with it.
NtB, you and I are on the same page. Now let me give you some nice hot cocoa and a comfort object like a teddy bear or a nice soft pillow or a pair of Gucci loafers to make you feel better.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
::whimper:: I’m scared.
December 14th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think for a party event this would be kind of interesting and cool but for a wedding it’s a little ridiculous.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Eek! Not only creepy, but also another expensive waste. Who the heck is recommending these things to couples? The Tacky Fairy?!
December 15th, 2008 at 2:24 am
What happens when that lettuce head has to sneeze?
December 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
As someone with a tachycardic condition, I have to say that second one is a death waiting to happen. I’m managed with mild medication, but I still have rare episodes when startled. Bad idea.
December 15th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
un-bride, that was pretty much my thought on the subject.
Stephanie, probably the same thing that happens when the table gets a call from Nature!
Fabrisse, that’s an excellent safety consideration I’m ashamed to admit I hadn’t considered.
December 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
It’s creepy, but it’s even creepier if the people try to pop out and surprise you as you reach for some carrots. It’s not really fun to make it embarrassing for your guests to get food at your party.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Saw this on My Fair Weddings.. and it was probably the first wedding by David Tutera that had me a little confused. I usually LOVE the concepts he comes up with.. but in this particular wedding the bride simply mentioned that she wanted to feel like the queen, (don’t we all?) and then the ENTIRE wedding became this Marie Antoinette theme. I felt it was very sweet sixteenish.. but if the bride was happy, I guess I can’t judge.. I do think the live tables are a little freakish.. but we all have our likes and dislikes I guess.. I could think if a trillion other things to spend the money on!
December 16th, 2008 at 11:19 am
CREEP-Y!!
Although, TeleriB, that is the best party theme I’ve heard since, well, forever. (Except for the Caligula party a friend of mine keeps threatening to throw, except he’s afraid on getting arrested.)
December 16th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Speaking as a professional actress who has, yes, appeared at weddings (no bar mitzvahs yet, though), I’m voting “Tolerable” for the actor/actress who is wearing the table/panniers outfit and “No Frigging Way” for the head-popping-out version. The discomfort level for the head-popper has to be mind-boggling. Hard on the back, hard on the neck, hard on the knees, hard to hear, chance of cracking your head on something REALLY HIGH, chance of wearing salad dressing, right up there.
And the actor has to be witty and cheerful, despite all this AND the possibility of giving someone a heart attack.
Someone had to spend a LOT of time thinking up the worst. job. EVER. for an actor.
June 15th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
un-bride – Hey, don’t look at me. I had nothing to do with this one.