Lyla Dejesus
Planning a wedding reception involves a lot of work, from deciding on a theme and colour scheme to choosing the right tableware and decorations. The first step is to select the right tableware, including plates, side plates, bowls, saucers, cups, and cutlery. The type of tableware chosen will depend on the menu and the style of the wedding. For instance, a casual theme may call for simple white tableware, while a formal wedding might feature tableware with gold or silver trims. Next, consider the decorations and centrepieces, which can include flowers, greenery garlands, or other accent pieces. Personal touches such as childhood photos, Lego figurines, or Polaroid place cards can also be added to entertain guests and make the event more memorable. Don't forget to include essentials like napkins, table numbers or names, and place settings. Finally, add some party favours like sweets, mini gift boxes, or personalised items to thank your guests for sharing your special day.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tableware | Plates, side plates, bowls, saucers, cups, cutlery, servingware, glassware |
| Table Linens | Tablecloths, table runners, napkins |
| Centrepieces | Flowers, greenery garlands, cakes, bowls of sweets |
| Stationery | Place cards, table names/numbers, menus, seating plan |
| Decorations | Confetti, balloons, childhood photos, Lego figurines, Polaroid photos, flowers, macramé |
| Favours | Party favours, sweets, succulents, tiny gift boxes, personalised shot glasses, seed bombs, personalised bubble bottles, jigsaw pieces, personalised wine bottles |
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What You'll Learn
Centrepieces
Flowers are a popular choice for centrepieces, with options ranging from lush floral arrangements to simple, unfussy displays. Consider the vibe of your celebration and your budget when selecting flowers. For a glamorous ballroom reception, white and green flowers, such as peonies, roses, ranunculus, Queen Anne's lace, and greenery, can create a fairy tale-inspired look. For a laid-back garden party, loose, natural arrangements of roses, tulips, lisianthus, butterfly ranunculus, hellebore, and greenery can be a beautiful choice.
If you're looking for something unique, you can incorporate non-floral elements into your centrepieces. For example, at a wedding in Italy, the centrepieces included small clusters of fresh fruits like papaya, grapes, plums, and figs, paired with flowers and greenery. Pumpkins can also be a lovely seasonal addition to autumnal wedding tables, serving as candle holders or vases for flowers.
For a DIY approach, consider using foliage instead of flowers. Greenery like eucalyptus and ivy is easier to work with and lends itself well to a relaxed, rustic look. You can also use fairy lights, which are cheap and can be wrapped into a messy ball and placed inside a vase or jar.
If you want to incorporate candles into your centrepiece, you can surround a chunky candle with a floral wreath or twine foliage around candles in the centre of each table. For a vintage-themed wedding, you can source mismatched teacups and saucers from second-hand shops and fill them with cut spray roses or small cakes.
The size of your centrepieces is also an important consideration. If your guests will be spending a lot of time on the dance floor, avoid tall vases and large floral arrangements that may obstruct their view.
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Tableware
First, consider your colour scheme, aesthetic, and venue. For example, a beachside celebration might call for coastal-inspired colours and natural elements, like wooden chargers, while an opulent ballroom reception might be the perfect opportunity to showcase rich colours, interesting textures, and gold flatware. If you're sticking to a tight budget, upgrading your linen and glassware can make a big difference to the overall look of your tables.
Next, ensure you have the appropriate cutlery and servingware for each course. Ask your caterers if any dishes require specialist cutlery and make sure it has been ordered. For a typical wedding, you'll need a salad fork and knife, a dinner fork and knife, and possibly a dessert fork and knife, depending on how the dessert will be served. Glassware is another important consideration. Provide water tumblers, glasses for soft drinks or iced tea, and stemware for wine and champagne.
Finally, don't forget the small details that can make the dining experience even more special for your guests. Personalized touches can be included in your linens and paper goods, like naming the guests on the cover of their custom menus or penning personal notes on the inside of each place card.
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Decorations
Centrepieces
Centrepieces are the tables' most important accessories and can be used to give your tables a focal point. Flower centrepieces are a popular choice as they add elegance and romance to the reception tables. You can opt for either one big floral display or subtle floral and foliage additions. Tall centrepieces are also a good option as they allow for large, impactful arrangements without taking over the table or blocking guests' views. If flowers are not part of your vision, you can mix and match different accent pieces to create unique centrepieces. You can also make your centrepieces more exciting by adding a cake for guests to share.
Tableware
The type of tableware you use will reflect the type of wedding you are having. For a casual theme, simple white tableware is a good choice, while coloured tableware can add a fun touch. For formal weddings, there are various options with gold or silver trims. You can also use tableware to tie in with your wedding theme, such as coloured napkins or tablecloths that match your colour scheme.
Place settings
Place cards for each guest are essential, and you can make them more fun and personal with ideas like Lego figurines or Polaroid photos of each guest. You will also need a table number or name, as well as a seating plan to direct guests to their tables.
Favours
Party favours are not necessary, but they can make the dining experience nicer. You can offer anything from sweets to small gift boxes, often with a personalised tag. Other ideas include personalised shot glasses, bubble bottles, or bottles of wine with printed labels.
Other decorations
Other decorations to consider include confetti, table runners, chair decor, and table backdrops. You can also add a personal touch with childhood snaps of the newlyweds or a thank you sign on each table.
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Place settings
Linens
Table linens, including tablecloths, table runners, and napkins, form the base of your wedding table settings. They take up the most surface area and are what all the other items are placed on top of. When choosing your linens, consider your colour scheme. You might opt for bold jewel tones, bright pastels, or neutrals. You can also add pops of colour with your napkins, such as sage green or bright linen napkins, or get creative with napkin rings.
Chargers, Plates, and Flatware
Add chargers, plates, and flatware to each place setting. Chargers are large decorative plates that all the other plates rest on. You can choose wooden chargers for a rustic look or coloured chargers to add a pop of colour. For plates, consider clear black-rimmed plates, gold-rimmed clear plates, or grey ceramic plates. As for flatware, you can choose from silverware or gold flatware, or even black-handled flatware for a contemporary look.
Glassware
Each place setting should have a water glass, which should be full and waiting for your guests when they sit down. You can also add a wine glass and a champagne flute for toasts. If you want to save space and cost, you can use a universal wine glass instead of setting both red and white wine glasses.
Cutlery
Provide at least one fork, knife, and spoon at each place setting. The number and type of cutlery you'll need will depend on how formal the meal is and what you're serving. For example, will you need salad forks, fish forks, or soup spoons? Remember to place the knives and spoons on the right and the forks on the left, about 1 inch from the edge of the table.
Stationery
In addition to invitations and RSVPs, you'll want to order some stationery for your wedding table settings. This includes place cards (with a personal note inside if you wish), table names or numbers, and menus. These will help guide your guests to their seats and inform them of the meal options. You can also include a thank-you note to your guests or a small wedding favour at each place setting.
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Favours
Wedding favours are a great way to add a personal touch to your reception tables and to thank your guests for attending. Here are some ideas for wedding favours that will delight your guests:
Plants and Seeds
A lovely way to add a touch of greenery to your tables, and a gift that will last beyond the wedding day. You could give each guest a small succulent, or for an eco-friendly option, present them with a packet of wildflower seeds.
Personalised Items
Customised favours are a great way to make your guests feel special. Consider acrylic name bookmarks, or even hand-drawn illustrated maps of places that are special to the couple. For a rustic touch, present guests with handmade napkins, or for a fun twist, provide customised shot glasses.
Edible Treats
A popular choice for wedding favours, edible treats are a great way to satisfy your guests' sweet tooth. Options include peppermint patties, Love Heart sweets, or even a popcorn bar where guests can make their own bags to take home. For a more adult indulgence, how about infused liquor with different flavours?
Practical Gifts
Useful favours are always appreciated, and can range from the fun to the functional. From customised sunglasses and flip-flops to tote bags, pashminas, or even hangover kits, these gifts will be sure to get plenty of use. For a cosy touch, provide guests with blankets, especially if your wedding is outdoors or in the cooler months.
When it comes to presenting your favours, you have a few options. You can place them at each guest's place setting to ensure everyone receives one, or you can create a dedicated favours table. A favours table can add a decorative touch to your reception, especially if you use wooden crates or baskets to display the items. Just be sure to clearly label the favours so guests know to take them!
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Frequently asked questions
Essential items for wedding reception tables include tableware such as plates, bowls, cups, glasses, and cutlery. You may also need servingware for buffet-style meals or meals served by waitstaff. Don't forget the table linens, including tablecloths, napkins, and table runners.
Decorative items for wedding reception tables include centrepieces, which can be floral arrangements, greenery garlands, or other accent pieces. You can also add place cards, table names or numbers, and decorations like confetti.
The type of tableware you choose should reflect the theme of your wedding. For a casual theme, simple white tableware is a good choice. For formal weddings, you can choose tableware with gold or silver trims.
Unique ideas for wedding reception tables include hilarious childhood snaps of the newlyweds, Lego figurine place cards, or Polaroid photos of each guest. You can also add a personal touch with party favours such as sweets, succulents, or personalised items.
When organising wedding reception tables, it's important to consider the number of guests and the seating arrangement. Create a seating plan and assign table numbers or names to direct guests to their tables. It's also a good idea to talk to your venue beforehand to understand what they can provide and what you need to organise yourself.
