Home Decor – Garden, Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom Decor

Table settings are one of the most overlooked aspects of a wedding, but it’s also one of the most critical–often as important as wedding color schemes and motifs. You can have everything going on the big day only to have it ruined by a poorly set table. Remember, your guests will be spending a good hour or two of their time seated at the table–and you don’t want to put them off with a haphazard setup. To a certain extent, weddings are about making good impressions, and there’s no better way to do that than with the perfect table setting.

 

So how do you set the table for your wedding? There are lots of things to consider: your theme, your colors, your guests, the overall mood of the party. But it’s really a lot simpler than it sounds. Once you’ve got a theme in mind, the rest of it just falls into place–it’s just a matter of following basic setting rules. Start planning the perfect wedding table setup with this simple guide.

 

Match your theme

Usually, by the time you get around to wedding table settings, you’ll already have chosen a theme–if not, this is the best time to choose one! The easiest way to set the table is to follow your theme: elegant settings and fine dinnerware for formal weddings, and lighter, quirkier setups for more casual events. You can also take your cue from your color scheme. Simply use your color as your dominant shade, and use deep, contrasting colors to set it off and add interest.

 

Your table setting is also a good way to tie your theme together, making it look more unified and streamlined. For example, if your theme is pink and green, you can create continuity by using the same colors on your table. Use pink and green table linens, and maybe create a centerpiece of pink flowers beautifully contrasted with deep green leaves. “Color continuity” brings out the best in your chosen theme and leads the viewer’s eye where you want it.

 

Choose a good centerpiece

Table centerpieces are often a source of attention and conversation at weddings. That’s why it pays to spend a bit more time choosing and designing your wedding centerpiece. It doesn’t have to be expensive or flashy; in fact, you can get away with using a cheap wedding table centerpiece as long as it’s well-designed and fits your wedding theme. Here are some good centerpiece ideas you can try:

 

Flowers: This is perhaps the most common centerpiece for weddings, and for good reason. Flower centerpieces are easy to work with: you can make them elegant and formal, casual and quirky, or soft and feminine. And since they come in virtually every color, you can make them suit any theme and motif. Consider using the same flowers as the bride’s bouquet, or using larger versions of her accent flowers.

 

Sculptures: Ice sculptures are gaining ground not just because they’re stylish, but because they’re getting cheaper. Once associated with big formal events, ice sculptures have found their way even into midrange budget weddings. Don’t be afraid to experiment with designs; veer away from common shapes like swans, doves and angels. The more unique your design is, the better!

 

Candles: If you want a more romantic mood, a candle table centerpiece is the way to go. Candles work best for evening or late afternoon weddings, as the dimness better brings out their light. On a tight budget? Try this quick DIY trick: half-fill a large clear bowl with water, throw in some petals, and add three to five small tea candles. Just pick the right color and size, and you’ve got the perfect romantic centerpiece!

 

Arrange your dinnerware

Traditionally, the rule when it comes to table setting is to put the plate at the center of each person’s space, and arrange the flatware vertically around it. Forks should go to the left and spoons and knives to the right, in the order that they will be used in the meal, from the outside going in. Glasses go above the plate from right to left, also in order of use. A typical wedding setup has, from left to right, a water glass, a red wine glass, a white wine glass, and a champagne flute. Dessert plates and cups are usually placed after the other stuff has been taken away.

 

You don’t have to follow these rules to heart, of course–they’re just a rough guide to moving things around. In fact, if you look at pictures of table settings, few of them conform fully to the vertical style, and many don’t even have all the items mentioned above. The secret is simply to put everything where they can easily be reached, so that your guests can eat comfortably. Once you’ve got it all in place, the only thing left is digging in and enjoying your big day!

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This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm and is filed under Landscaped. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.