5 Styling Tips For Wedding Table Settings to Inspire Your Reception

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When it comes to planning your big day, every detail matters – everything from the invitations and seating arrangements, right down to your wedding table setting.

The way you style your wedding reception table can set the tone for the entire event. Delicate touches like napkinscrockeryglassware and flowers can make all the difference, creating a harmonious atmosphere for your guests to gather round and toast to your love.

Keep reading for our top 5 styling tips for wedding table setups, so you can make tables as enchanting, joyous, and unforgettable as the rest of your special day.

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Tip 1: Select A Table Setting Style

The theme is everything when it comes to a good wedding setting. Having a clear theme means you can carefully select every element to flow harmoniously with one another, from the wedding ceremony furniture right down to the flowers and stationery.

Certain features are becoming particularly popular at weddings in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Byron Bay. Major style trends for 2024 include vibrant pops of colour, hanging floral installations and canopies, champagne towers (always a crowd favourite!), and eco-friendly wedding favours.

To figure out your wedding style, it’s a good idea to create a mood board that captures the aesthetic and ambience you want to create on the day. Ultimately, your colour palette and overall vision should give off a vibe that just feels ‘you’, whether it be coastal, boho, modern, eclectic, or anything in between. Pinterest is a bride’s best friend!

For example, a rustic, coastal or boho theme will often use lots of earthy tones and natural fibres like linen, wood, and burlap. Nothing says ‘rustic’ quite like an oversized solid wood trestle table adorned with neutral tableware and metal cutlery for a warm yet refined finish! For a more coastal look, shells, driftwood and coconuts are a popular choice, while fresh lemons and limes will have your guests dreaming of summer on the Amalfi. The options are endless!

Once you’ve got a clear theme going with a nice assortment of inspo pics on your board, use this as the foundation for your table setting. Keep your mood board handy as you start picking out all of your reception decor and details to ensure everything ties together beautifully!

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Tip 2: Layer with Luxe Linens

Nothing elevates a table setting quite like textures. Using plenty of layers on your reception tables is one of the easiest ways to achieve a beautiful tablescape. A mix of different materials will give your table setting that depth and detail needed for a luxe look and feel. Without them, your table setting may look flat or one-dimensional.

Think of your table as a blank canvas, and consider how you can build your table settings up with different layers. Starting with the tablecloth is important, as this will set the scene for the rest of your table setting. A white tablecloth is a timeless classic, and perfect for a more formal look. But if you’re looking to spice things up, why not opt for one with a bold colour or fun print?

To top it off, consider layering with charger plates, crisp linen napkins, table runners, statement glassware and cutlery, menu cards, place cards, florals, vessels and candles. Be sure to select pieces that reflect your overall wedding theme for a polished (and delightfully Insta-worthy) aesthetic.

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Tip 3: Make Every Place Setting Perfect

Each guest’s place setting is a table setting within its own right, and deserves special attention. Carefully arrange your guests’ napkins, tableware, cutlery, glassware, and accessories, along with any menus and place cards. You might want to try out some unique napkin folding techniques for a little extra something!

Remember that a good table setting should also be as functional as it is beautiful. To keep your guests nice and comfy, here are some important points to consider:

  • Table width. If you’re opting for a share-style menu, you’ll want to choose a table over 1m wide (like our timber feasting tables) rather than the standard 86cm.

  • Decor placement. Again, if you’re opting for a feasting menu, make sure you allow enough space between your centrepieces for platters of food. If you need to free up more space, you might want to create centrepiece “clusters” rather than spreading them down the entire length of the table. Or, opt for hanging floral installations rather than individual table arrangements.

  • Centrepiece height. Make sure your centrepieces are an appropriate height so that your guests can still chat across the table without having to strain their necks!

Essential items. You’d be surprised how many couples end up calling us for last-minute items like entree cutlery, napkins or dessert spoons. Use our reception hire checklist so you can tick everything off your list and ensure nothing is overlooked!

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Tip 4: Set Out Your Table Centrepiece

The centrepiece is the heart of your table setting, so it should embody your personal style and help create the atmosphere you want for your reception. Pairing floral arrangements with candles, vessels and vases is a great way to create interest. Also, taller centrepieces can make more of a statement and give off an air of decadence, while shorter ones encourage conversation among guests. As for flowers, think about whether you want to go for seasonal or perennial blooms, such as natives and wildflowers. The centrepiece provides the perfect opportunity to make a statement with your decor, as it adds depth, volume, and an eye-catching focal point to your table setting. Playing with different heights or ‘levels’ can actually make the entire room feel fuller, and will also photograph better in your reception snaps, too.
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Tip 5: Customise Your Unique Aesthetic

At the end of the day, your wedding is about you and your partner. Adding that personal touch is what makes your wedding, yours. For a truly unforgettable reception, consider adding custom-made menus, monogrammed napkins and unique wedding favours that reflect your personality as a couple.

These small yet unmissable details will not only elevate the aesthetics (and photos!) of your wedding reception, but also create lasting memories for all of your guests.

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Your Local Wedding Table Hire Experts

Planning your wedding doesn’t have to be stressful. At Hampton Event Hire, our friendly team of wedding stylists and wedding hire specialists are here to help lighten the load in the lead-up to your special day. With over 12 years of industry experience, we offer statement furniture rentals, bespoke styling items and exquisite decor to make your dream wedding a reality. We service all areas of the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay.

Get in touch for a free consultation on (07) 5523 9564, or via our enquiry form here.
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