Creative Napkin Holder Ideas For Your Dream Wedding

Napkin holders are an easy way to elevate your wedding tablescape. Whether you're planning a wedding for yourself or for clients, napkin holders can add a touch of elegance to your wedding photos and wow your guests. You can make your own napkin holders using materials such as wire, ribbon, clay, wood beads, yarn, felt, and more. If you're looking for something more luxurious, consider gold leather and marble monogrammed napkin rings. For a rustic or bohemian wedding, try using pressed leaves in clay, or macramé placemats with loose, frayed linen napkins.

DIY napkin rings

Napkin rings are a great way to add an extra decorative element to a dining table at a wedding. Here are some DIY ideas for napkin rings that are perfect for weddings:

Clay and Fabric Holiday Napkin Rings

Clay and fabric holiday napkin rings are a lovely way to bookmark an idea for the future so that you have it once the holidays roll around again. Make It, Love It shows how adorable clay Christmas trees can be attached to plaid cloth to make soft fabric napkin rings.

Floral Napkin Rings

If you're looking for something a little more whimsical, Homedit has a fantastic tutorial on how to make floral napkin rings that look surprisingly real. This idea is perfect for a wonderful tablescape for your friends and family.

Coastal Napkin Rings

For a seaside-themed wedding, try making these coastal napkin rings by DIY Selfy. They show you how to make it happen with some simple rope wrapping, a shell, and some glue.

Wire-Wrapped Stone Napkin Rings

If you love stones, check out how Hallmark Channel did some hand wire wrapping around a stunning blue stone to create a ring that suits the tablescape's colour scheme.

Rhinestone and Pearl Napkin Rings

If you want something flashy, check out how DIY It Now made these fantastic sparkling napkin rings using beads, rhinestones, and pearls.

Rope Napkin Ring – Turk’s Head Style

This project is simple and attractive. All you need to buy is some cordage – cotton or hemp is best. Once you have this, follow a tutorial to create your napkin ring.

Choosing the right napkin fabric

When it comes to choosing the right napkin fabric for your wedding, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the type of event you are hosting will dictate the level of formality required of the napkin fabric. For casual and outdoor events, comfort and practicality are key, so opt for cotton or polyester napkins. Cotton napkins, in particular, are soft, comfortable, and long-lasting, making them perfect for everyday meals and casual events. They are also highly absorbent and machine washable. On the other hand, for more formal events and high-end occasions such as weddings, black-tie events, or upscale dinners, linen or satin napkins are the way to go. Linen napkins have a posh, sophisticated texture and are often used for weddings, but they can be quite expensive. Satin napkins, on the other hand, provide a luxurious look and feel, making them ideal for anniversaries, weddings, and other formal celebrations.

Another factor to consider is the colour of the napkins. If you have already chosen a colour palette for your wedding, try to coordinate the napkin colour with the theme. Keep in mind that there should be a slight contrast in colour between the napkins and table linens to ensure that the napkins stand out. If you're going for a natural theme, pair white tablecloths with sage green cloth napkins. For a timeless look, try ivory tablecloths with champagne or gold linen napkins. You can also match light colours with other light colours and deeper hues with other deep hues. For example, pastel tablecloths go well with pastel-coloured cloth napkins. Additionally, consider the surrounding colours in the venue, such as the dishware, centerpiece, and chair colours.

Finally, when choosing a napkin fabric, it is essential to think about maintenance and durability. Select napkins that are easy to wash and stain-resistant, especially if you are in charge of cleaning and maintaining the event linens. Polyester napkins, for instance, are durable, wrinkle-resistant, and require no ironing, making them a low-maintenance option.

Napkin folding techniques

Napkins are an important part of your wedding tabletop design. Creative napkin folds can make a major impact and are a great way to set the tone for your celebration. Here are some napkin folding techniques to elevate your wedding tablescape:

The Square Fold

This elegant and sophisticated folding technique is perfect for formal weddings. Simply fold the napkin into a square and place it directly on the dinner plate. You can also place a menu, guest name card, or a sprig of greenery on top of the napkin.

The Rectangle Fold

The rectangle fold is a classic for formal settings. Place the rectangular folded napkin on the plate so its length runs parallel to the table and guest, or place it to the left of the plate underneath the forks.

The Waterfall Fold

The waterfall fold is considered one of the most elegant napkin folds. Fold the napkin into a rectangle, place one end under the plate, and let the excess overhang from the table. This creates a sophisticated texture and adds a pretty pop of colour to the overall tablescape.

The Knotted Napkin

Lay a square napkin flat and gather two diagonal corners together, tying them into a knot. Place the knotted napkin on the edge of the plate, with the two ends curved along the sides of the dish. This effortless yet graceful technique can instantly elevate the look and feel of your wedding tablescape.

The Bow'd Up Napkin Fold

Add a touch of playfulness to your wedding table setting with the Bow'd Up napkin fold. Fold your napkin into a bow tie and decorate it with a complementary ribbon.

The Pocket Fold

The pocket fold is an elegant technique that is sure to wow your guests. Fold the napkin so that it has a pocket, and tuck the cutlery neatly inside. Place greenery on the napkin to add colour to your wedding table setting.

Adding decorations to napkins

Ribbons and Bows

A simple way to add a decorative touch to your napkins is by using ribbons. You can tie a ribbon around a rolled or folded napkin for a neat finish. For a playful touch, you can even fold the napkin into a bow tie and complete the look with a decorative ribbon.

Greenery and Flowers

Sprigs of greenery or fresh flowers can be added to your napkin decorations. A single flower or a small bunch of greenery placed on top of a folded napkin adds a pop of colour and a natural, elegant touch.

Napkin Rings

Napkin rings are a great way to add decoration and keep your napkins neatly rolled or folded. You can purchase napkin rings or make your own using materials like wire, ribbon, clay, wood beads, yarn, or even recycled items like toilet paper rolls.

Monograms and Personalisation

Personalising your napkins with monograms or custom designs is a great way to add decoration and a unique touch to your wedding tablescape. You can feature monograms in the centre of a rectangle or square fold, or get creative with pocket or waterfall folds to showcase the design.

Creative Folding

The way you fold your napkins can also be a decoration in itself. From simple rectangular or square folds to more intricate pocket, waterfall, or knotted styles, the folding technique you choose can add elegance and interest to your table settings.

Using napkins to complement the wedding's style

Napkins are an important part of your wedding tabletop design. They can complement the rest of your décor choices, and creative napkin folds can set the tone for your celebration. Here are some tips and ideas for using napkins to complement the style of your wedding:

Choose the Right Fabric

The fabric you choose for your napkins should coincide with the overall aesthetic of your wedding. For a romantic and airy reception, such as a garden or outdoor wedding, lighter, gauzy fabrics like cotton or linen are a great choice. Cotton napkins, in particular, are a timeless and eco-conscious choice, known for their softness and absorbency. They are also more affordable than linen. If you're looking for a more glamorous, elegant, or elevated event, consider thicker fabrics like velvet or silk. Satin is also an option, as its glossy texture can complement formal and black-tie weddings, but it may not be the most practical choice as it can be slippery and less absorbent.

Select the Right Colors

When selecting the colors of your napkins, start with your wedding color palette. If you want your napkins to blend into your tablescape design, opt for neutral or soft colors. However, if you want to make a bolder statement, choose bright and vibrant colors like reds, yellows, or blues.

Folding Techniques

There are many different ways to fold napkins to create an elegant and stylish look for your wedding tablescape. Here are some ideas:

• The square fold is a sophisticated option that exudes sophistication and neatness, making it perfect for formal weddings.
• The rectangle fold is a classic choice for formal settings. You can place the rectangular folded napkin on the plate or to the left of the plate underneath the forks.
• The Bow'd Up napkin fold adds a touch of playfulness to your table setting. Create a bow tie shape with the napkin and finish it with a decorative ribbon.
• The pocket fold is an elegant technique where the cutlery is tucked neatly into the napkin's pocket. You can add color to this look by placing greenery on the napkin.
• The waterfall or draped napkin fold is excellent for a sleek look, especially if you're using long banquet tables. Fold the napkin into a rectangle, place one end under the plate, and let the excess overhang from the table for an elegant finish.
• The pyramid napkin fold adds visual interest and height to your tablescape. Keep the rest of your tablescape simple and sleek to let the pyramid shape stand out.
• For a simple, yet effective look, try a simple square or rectangle napkin fold with the dinner menu on top.
• The napkin and menu bundle keeps your place settings neat and tidy. Wrap your napkin and menu card together with twine or string, and add a sprig of greenery for a natural touch.
• For a casual, yet refined look, the classic rolled napkin is a great choice. You can take it up a notch by adding a hand-frayed silk ribbon in a complementary color.
• The wrapped plate napkin fold is purely decorative and adds elegance and glamour to your place settings. Wrap the napkin around the salad or charger plate, adding pleats for extra visual interest and dimension.
• A loose, gathered napkin fold is a combination of elegance and casualness. Gather the napkin fabric loosely and tie it with a napkin ring or complementary ribbon. You can also use this technique as a place card holder by tying a calligraphed place card to the ribbon.
• The knotted napkin fold is a quick and easy technique that can elevate your tablescape. Tie the napkin into a knot and place it to the left or right of the salad plate to balance each place setting.
• The triple pocket napkin fold is a unique and creative way to incorporate flatware into your table settings. It creates pockets for the fork, knife, and spoon, and can be placed on top of the salad plate for a sleek bundle. Add a single stem flower at each place setting for a pop of color.
• For a personalized touch, consider monogrammed napkins. Choose a rectangle fold that places the monogram in the center, and place the napkin on top of the salad plate for a poised and elegant look.

Remember, your napkin fold should complement the overall table décor and work together with your wedding planner and catering team to ensure a cohesive look.

Frequently asked questions