identify what is needed
Let me start with just listing what you need to choose from in this category. 1. Tablecloths for your reception tables, 2. Tablecloths for any high-tops used, 3. Tablecloths for any miscellaneous tables like your sign in, gift table, memory table, cake, etc. 4. Potentially, but not always, tablecloths for your catering, DJ, bar, or other vendor needs, 5. Runners, and 6. Cloth napkins for dinner.
Tablecloths for Dinner
Some venues have wood tables that will not require linens. Some will have a mix of both while some have the traditional portable tables (rectangular or round). These specifics plus your guest count and how many guests can seat per table will let you know how many of which size and shape you will need. Floor length is the way to go for weddings.
High Top Tablecloths
High-top tables are generally used Cocktail-Appetizer area and/or some placed near the dancing area. Tablecloths are generally needed for these. You can get regular size tablecloths and just let the length drop on its own or you can get the extra long length so you can tie the tablecloths under the tabletop. Two good options and both work well. If you are concerned about wind, then opting for the extra long so that the tie can secure the tablecloth with no chance of mishap.
Miscellaneous tables
Each bride is different in regards to what sort of extra tables she might want as well as what each venue offers. At High Point Farms, we have tried to make this a bit easier by just including some unique tables for many of those extra needs. We have a couple of whiskey barrel tables that look cute no matter what you put on them, from a drink station to a memory table, etc. We have a huge barnwood table out back for the welcome/sign-in and gift table. This alone does not require a linen but it is awfully pretty to add some sort of lace tablecloth or fabric swath to soften the look. So think over your table needs to consider things such as gift table, favors table, sign-in, memory, cake, groom’s cake, drink station, etc. before fully designating your tablecloth needs.
vendor tables
Many vendors will need tables. Check with your Coordinator or venue for what will be required. Here is a list of potentials: 1. DJ needs (both for outside as well as inside), 2. Cake (mentioned above) for wedding cake, a groom’s cake, and maybe another table to layout servings of cake, 3. Your caterer will need a table for the reception food, a separate table for appetizer food, and a drink station table. 4. Bartender will need tables as well – both to serve behind and often a table behind them for supplies. Each of these vendors will have various needs so the quantity of tables and require tablecloths will vary. Some vendors will be responsible to bring their own tables and even their own tablecloths.
Runners
Technically runners will fall under this category as well. Short ones or long flowing ones will work (or none at all).
Napkins
Most weddings like the look of a real napkin whether cloth, polyester, or gauze. It just dresses up the dinner at a very low cost. Typically, it is only for main meal that real napkins are used. Other napkins needed for appetizer hour, bar needs, and cake are paper napkins.
Things to weigh while pondering
In-house rental or outside vendor
If your venue rents linens or offers linens through a decorating package, that is certainly worth considering first. It is a way to take all of these choices and details off of your list. When you get pricing from an outside vendor, remember that the quick price that you usually see on a linen vendor’s website will typically be the price just for the linen rental. Dig into the details to find out 1. Plus tax?, 2. Delivery and Pick-up fee?, 3. any handling or extra cleaning fee? Beyond pricing, find out the details of delivery and pick to make sure that they those times can be accommodated by the venue. Many venues don’t allow linen drops off more than a day before your event. Pickup times may also be a problem at venues. You may ponder doing your own drop off and pickup but remember even these choices have consequences. With so many details, time constraints, and distances, do you really want to (you or your mom) to put another task on your to-do list the day before wedding by picking the linens up personally. Same for at the night’s end, do you really want to be responsible for packing up soiled linens before exiting the venue so you can facilitate a return the following workday? These are decisions you get to make. I just want you to be mindful that your choices have ripple effects in money, time, and convenience. Point is, most of the time, outside vendor linen rentals end up being very costly by the time you add in delivery, pick-up, tax, handling fee, and linen rentals AND the time restraints will be frustrating issue to deal with. Some brides will want to rental linens from their caterer which sounds great until you realize that the caterer does not come until a couple of hours prior to your ceremony which makes decorating the tables and problem for your family helpers or even for your decorator. Your caterer leaves long before your wedding is over so they will want to strip your tables off everything (dirty dishes plus your decorations) leaving you with naked tables.
colors
Outside vendors always have lots of color options; in-house rentals or decorating packages typically have few. It is best to have some sort of consistency in your color scheme. Remember you have colors in your bouquets, in your bridesmaids dresses, in your groomsmen attire too. Choose carefully your vibe. Some brides insert bold colors of all sorts in all aspects of their weddings and some keep the palette very simple so not to compete. Part of this decision is just you knowing yourself and knowing the vision of your wedding colors but it is important to consider. I do think keeping the tablecloths with a tight color palette is best.
Napkin choice
Cloth, polyester, or gauze – which to choose? Here at High Point Farms, we have used each of these at some time or the other. We used to rent linens and napkins from an outside vendor until the cost was too much to stomach. The rental company used polyester napkins. They always seemed to be a challenged to fold. It was like I needed an iron at the venue to add creases and even then, it was troublesome to get the ends lined up properly. We now use the gauze napkins. They are very pretty and can be folded, knotted, wrapped, arranged in an assortment of shapes and quiet easily. They are made of cotton so they still have the ability do what you need from a napkin. With paper napkins being needed at all weddings for all of those other reasons, it is always a good idea to have extras around in case someone needs more napkin than your “rental napkin” can provide.
choices choices
Like so many details in your wedding, decisions come down to your budget, your priorities on where you want to spend your dollars, how much time you want to commit to handling/executing such details, and do you want to be delegating some of these details to others (professionals that can give you the confidence to make great decisions to willing family or friends to help you execute these details). Sometimes the DIY bride makes it work. Sometimes I am confident that if she had a magic wand for a do-over, she would delegate these sorts of choices on this topic to a professional. I just want you to be aware of the choices and understand the time required to make these choices and execute your choices.
Who knew I could write such a long long blog just on wedding linens? Yet, even in this, there are many many details and choices to ponder. But, hey, choices are a good thing.
~ Margie
