How To Style Your Wedding Tables: Tips & Inspiration

We won’t say that this element of wedding decor is “often overlooked” because it really isn’t. 

Everyone knows that your tables are a critically important part of the overall aesthetic. 

They’re also functional and the component of your decor that is likely to be used and interacted with the most by everyone. 

So, you must make your tables look nice while also ensuring they can perform their necessary functions and aren’t just useless decorative pieces. 

And in the pursuance of that goal, we’re going to give you some pointers and wedding table setup ideas that we think might help you.

Start With The Base Layer

There are several components to a good table setup, but the base layer is the first – and arguably most vital – because it’s the one on which all the others depend. 

It doesn’t just need to look good; as we mentioned in the intro a second ago, it needs to be functional. 

You don’t want to get something that’s visually gorgeous only to not be able to use it during the reception because it’s too delicate and valuable to risk getting food on. 

Instead, you’ll want an aesthetic but durable and washable material, like linen, cotton, or silk. 

It’s also worth bearing in mind that there are different levels of quality within each of these materials, with 100% pure Egyptian cotton being different from a cotton-polyester blend. 

Such factors will affect not only the visual appearance but also the tactile feel. 

If you feel it is appropriate, combining a tablecloth with a runner can be an aesthetic wedding table setup idea, but that is a fine line to walk, and you can easily make it too busy.

Tablecloths Are Optional

Depending on the types of tables you have, you may or may not want to cover them with tablecloths. 

For instance, if your tables are made of luxurious hardwood, it might be better not to cover them entirely. 

If you want, though, you can add something partial, such as a lace rider or even a bit of greenery in the form of a vine spread across the middle of the table. 

Whatever the case, if your tables are lovely, you should showcase them rather than hide them. 

This also applies to glass tables, although we would generally recommend against them if there will be any children or alcohol present.

Additional Table Linens

In addition to the tablecloths and/or runners that make up your base layer, you also need napkins, and you’ll want to ensure they match your base layer. 

Select colors that complement your tablecloth (or your table—whichever is visible). 

Also, don’t cheap out on these—they will actually be used. 

Everyone is going to hold these things in their hands, rub them on their faces, and feel the material. 

You don’t need to spend top dollar, but you’ll want to get ones that both look and feel great. 

Accessories

In addition to tablecloths, runners, and napkins, you also have the option to add items like placemats. 

These are not strictly necessary, as you can get by without them. 

But if you want to make things look more regal without spending much extra money, placemats can be an easy way to do that. 

They’re basically a cheat code for making things look fancier without actually changing anything significantly. 

Alternatively, aesthetics may not be your primary concern. 

Laying down placemats can be a good wedding table setup idea because they help protect a table or an expensive tablecloth from stray food bits. 

Accept that there will be some of that if you have any children or drunk people at your wedding (which you most likely will). 

It’s just gonna happen.

Select Your Centerpieces

Once you’ve gotten your table linens squared away, the next thing to do is to place some tasteful centerpieces in the middle of your tables. 

These can be candles, vases with flowers, small statues, or anything else that looks nice and fits neatly in the center space without obstructing the dishware or glassware. 

As with all things design-related, stick to the Rule of 3 regarding colors, and remember that less is often more.

Choose Your Cutlery and Dishware

As with the table linens, your dishware and cutlery should complement, not clash with, the other colors and materials on the table. 

At the same time, they need to be just as functional as everything else, perhaps even more so, as they will be holding food. 

However, this is actually the part that you can afford to save a little money on. 

If your table linens are gorgeous, then even plain white dishware and regular stainless steel silverware from a wholesale store will look good on them. 

But if you want to be more stylish, you can also opt for dishware with a bit of color, such as a gold rim. 

And remember that, as with linens, there are different levels of quality.

A Note On Glassware: As the name suggests, glassware is typically made of glass, but you can also use other materials as long as they match or are part of the same set as your plates.

Don’t Forget Your Chairs

Amid all this focus and fixation on artistic and creative wedding table setup ideas, remember not to neglect your seating! 

You can’t go to all the trouble of making your tables look elegant and then just throw a bunch of folding lawn chairs under them. 

In general, your tables and chairs will come as a set. 

However, sometimes they don’t. 

If that’s the case in your situation, ensure that your tables are at least made of the same or similar materials as your tables. 

And match the colors as best as you can. 

Even if they’re not originally part of the same set, you’ll want to make it look like they could have been. 

Also, it usually doesn’t hurt to add a subtle decoration to your chairs for some extra flair (as long as it doesn’t clash with anything else).

In Closing…

We could probably say more about each of these and even more interesting wedding table setup ideas if we had more time. 

But we think we’ve covered the basics, and you should now have what you need to get started. 😉 

As long as you keep to the fundamentals and don’t lose sight of them as you’re getting caught up in small details, you should be fine. 

And remember that quality matters. 

While you don’t need to go over your budget (and you shouldn’t), you also don’t need to use paper napkins or make your wedding look like a child’s birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. 

A little style and elegance can be afforded by most people as long as they’re conscious of the fundamentals and perhaps a tad creative.