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Wedding Place Setting Styles

February 10, 2021
Words by Kacey Mya
Photos courtesy of James & Jess

Every detail counts when it comes to weddings, which is why it’s crucial to think about your place settings for your reception. They can dazzle guests and make them feel welcome, but only if you know how to make them match the wedding theme. 


Check out these eight wedding place setting styles that will set the mood for your ceremony. These tips could be the inspiration you need to finish planning your reception and relax before your big day:

1. Use Floral Name Cards

Name cards are useful for big weddings where guests may not know each other. You can create a seating chart so people feel comfortable when they sit down for dinner. Use floral name cards to blend your organizational structure with the decor. Work with a florist to line them with tiny flowers or lay them on greenery on top of the plates.

2. Find Mauve Candles

Candles are another popular element to put on your reception tables. Although you might feel stuck with white wax, you can find it in any color. Mauve shades work well with fall weddings and won’t stand out when paired with metal holders or accents.

3. Focus on Colors

While you think about your wedding, you’ll likely browse romantic color palettes for your bridal party or flowers. You can do the same for your place settings by looking for colorful plates or placemats. Blue and gold can give each table an antique, romantic vibe, but what you choose will ultimately depend on when your wedding happens and where you go for your venue.

4. Add Some Fruit

Faux or real fruit tucked into your flower arrangements visually prepares wedding guests to sit down and eat. It’s a natural fit for any reception meal. Talk with your florist about adding dark blue grapes and deep red peaches to your pastel flowers and greenery. They should blend in so they provide a subtle nod to the upcoming meal while letting the flowers make the statement.

5. Decorate With Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood lends a rustic aura to any reception venue. Use it to make flower boxes for your tables and layer texture into your place settings. Even if you only use it in other decorations like the chairs or coasters, it’s trendy material that works perfectly in place settings.

6. Create Napkin Displays

Your reception pictures will look incredible if you create custom napkin displays with a selection of linens in your chosen wedding colors. They’re soft, beautiful art pieces that will stun your guests and set the tone for an elegant evening.

7. Rent Your Silverware

Skip the plastic silverware that most caterers bring to weddings. It takes away from the place settings you worked hard to pull together. Instead, think of renting your silverware to add a bit of sparkle to each table. Find antique polished silver and pair it with blush Juliet roses to match your vintage style with a modern wedding trend.

8. Plan for Tall Candles

Sometimes place settings can seem off because everything is on the same level. The next time you browse decor options, look at tall candle holders. They’ll take your reception to another level by adding visual depth. They also come in an array of styles. Wood or glass holders can blend seamlessly into your centerpiece elements but still make the final look pop.

Create Examples at Home
As you fall in love with various place setting ideas, you might struggle to picture the final look. Don’t wait until the last minute to put everything together. Create examples at home with tips like these to see what you like the most and what you want to use for your reception.

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