Creative Napkin Ring Ideas For Your Dream Wedding

Napkin rings are a great way to add a decorative element to a dining table and can be a perfect, personalised touch for a wedding. They can be made from a variety of materials, including leather, wire, clay, rope, paper, wood, beads, yarn, and even recycled paper towel rolls. Making your own napkin rings is an easy, inexpensive, and creative way to elevate your wedding table settings.

DIY Leather Napkin Rings

Firstly, decide how wide you want your napkin rings to be. A good size is 2"x6" for each ring. Then, measure out the dimensions onto the leather. You can use scrap leather for this project, which is a great way to upcycle old leather items.

Next, cut out the leather strips with a craft knife or rotary cutter. Cut the leather to a length of 7.5", with each strip approximately 1" wide at the base and 0.3" at the top.

Now, cut the top of the leather strip at an angle to create a point. Then, use a leather hole punch to punch holes at the end of the strip. Don't make the slot too wide, or the leather won't stay in place.

Finally, wrap the leather strips around your cloth napkins and pull the pointed tip through the slot until it is snug.

You can decorate your napkin rings with a sprig of eucalyptus, or a place card name for a formal dinner party. You could also use a leaf template, tracing cut-out leaves onto the leather, and gluing on leaf charms.

Your DIY Leather Napkin Rings are now ready to adorn your wedding table!

Wire Napkin Rings

Materials:

• Low-gauge wire: This is the main material you will need for this project. You can find this at any craft store or online.
• Flowers (optional): You can add flowers to your wire napkin rings for a more elegant and natural look.

Steps:

• Cut the wire to the desired length. You will need enough wire to wrap around the napkin, with a little extra for shaping and securing the ends.
• If you are using flowers, cut them so that there is a short stem to work with.
• Take the cut wire and shape it into a circle, wrapping the ends around each other to secure them. You can use pliers to help with this step if needed.
• If using flowers, wrap the stem around the wire, securing it with floral tape or hot glue.
• You can add other decorations at this point, such as beads, ribbons, or other embellishments.
• Place your napkin inside the wire ring and adjust as needed.
• Repeat these steps for as many napkin rings as you require.

Tips:

• You can create different shapes with the wire, such as hearts or spirals, for a unique look.
• Experiment with different colours and types of wire to match your wedding theme.
• Add name tags or a personal message to each napkin ring for a customised touch.
• These wire napkin rings can also be a great handmade gift for your wedding party or guests.

With these simple steps, you can create elegant and inexpensive wire napkin rings that will add a special touch to your wedding table.

Clay Napkin Rings

Materials:

• Polymer clay (e.g., FIMO Soft in Sahara)
• Baking/parchment paper
• Metal baking/pastry rings or foil-covered cardboard tube
• Adhesive for gold leaf (optional)
• Thin silk ribbon (approximately 1/2" width)
• Acrylic roller
• Clay cutting blade
• Pointed clay tool
• Varnish (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 230°F / 110°C and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Clean your work surfaces and lay down baking paper to prepare for clay handling. Be mindful of any fuzzy surfaces or fibres that could stick to your clay.
• Divide your block of clay into smaller chunks to make it easier to roll out.
• Use your acrylic roller to roll out the clay until it’s about 1/8" thick.
• Use the clay cutting blade to cut out rectangles of about 1.5" long. Avoid making them too thick or wide—they should comfortably fit on a standard dinner plate.
• Pierce a hole at each end of the rectangles using the pointed clay tool. Gently widen the holes if needed, so that the ribbon can be pushed through easily.
• Drape the clay pieces over a metal pastry ring or foil-covered cardboard tube to create a soft curve.
• Place the clay rings on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, following the instructions on the clay packaging. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn or turn brown.
• Once baked, allow the napkin rings to cool completely.
• (Optional) To add a metallic detail, apply a thin layer of adhesive for delicate leaf metals (such as gold leaf) to the napkin rings using a small paintbrush. Let it dry for about 10-15 minutes.
• (Optional) Tear off small pieces of gold leaf metal and carefully press them onto the adhesive using a soft, dry paintbrush. Don't worry about perfection—the organic look is part of the charm!
• Cut a piece of ribbon for each napkin ring, approximately 7.5" long.
• Use the pointed clay tool to help push the ribbon through each hole, and then make a simple knot to create the completed napkin ring. Adjust the tightness to fit your linen napkins.

Feel free to experiment with different colours of clay and ribbon to match your wedding theme. You can also add a varnish on top for extra protection, especially if the napkin rings will be handled frequently.

Rhinestone and Pearl Napkin Rings

Materials:

• Rhinestones: Look for high-quality rhinestones, such as Grade A+ CLEAR Glass Rhinestone Crystals, to ensure a luxurious look.
• Pearls: Choose pearls that complement the colour of your rhinestones and wedding theme. You can opt for classic white pearls or go for ivory or cream-coloured pearls for a rustic or vintage-inspired wedding.
• Stretch loops: These will serve as the base for your napkin rings and can be found in various colours, such as silver or gold, to match your wedding palette.
• Optional: Other decorative elements such as brooches, buckles, or flat backs can be added to further embellish your napkin rings.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Design: Decide on the overall design of your napkin rings. You can choose to alternate rhinestones and pearls or create a specific pattern. Measure the diameter of your napkins to ensure the rings are the appropriate size.
• Assembly: Start by attaching the rhinestones and pearls to the stretch loops. You can use adhesive or wire to secure them in place. If you're using additional decorative elements, incorporate them into your design.
• Customisation: If you want to customise the colour of the metal, stones, or backing, reach out to the supplier. Many companies offer customisation options for a minimum order quantity and an extended production time.
• Placement: Once your napkin rings are assembled, carefully slide them onto your rolled napkins. Place them at each setting, ensuring they are positioned correctly and securely wrapped around the napkins.
• Final Touches: Adjust any rhinestones or pearls that may have shifted during placement. Ensure each napkin ring is secure and lies flat on the table.

Tips:

• When purchasing materials, consider buying in bulk to save costs and have extra on hand in case of mistakes or last-minute additions to your guest list.
• Play around with different designs and colours to find the perfect combination that complements your wedding theme and colour palette.
• If you're short on time or unsure about the assembly process, reach out to a local craftsperson or wedding decorator who can help bring your vision to life.

Floral Napkin Rings

Supplies:

• Flowers (fresh or faux) in 2-3 different shapes or sizes.
• Greenery
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• Wire cutters

Instructions:

Begin by taking your floral wire and bending it into a loop approximately 2" in diameter. Wrap the ends of the wire securely around the loop and trim off any excess. This will form the base of your napkin ring. Next, cut the stem of your centre flower to about 1" in length and use the floral tape to attach it to the wire. If your flower is drooping, you can insert a piece of wire into the stem and head to adjust the angle.

Continue adding flowers and greenery to either side of the centre flower, securing them with floral tape. Keep adding until you are happy with the fullness of your ring. Finally, wrap the remaining wire with tape to complete the look. Your floral napkin ring is now ready to adorn your wedding tables!

Tips:

• If using fresh flowers, prepare the napkin rings earlier in the day and store them in the fridge to keep them looking fresh.
• Faux flowers can be used to create napkin rings ahead of time, ensuring they last for multiple occasions.
• Experiment with different types and colours of flowers to find a combination that complements your wedding colour palette.
• Add a personal touch by incorporating flowers that have a special meaning to you or your partner.

Frequently asked questions