If you love details, then you will definitely not be one to overlook your Wedding Place Settings. There are so many ways to dress up this simple area of your reception, and your guests will be sure to notice!
Charger vs No Charger
We get asked this all the time when talking about place settings. Most of the time, we have to explain what a charger plate even is! Point blank, it is a decorative plate that completes the look of the table setting. It is not necessary, but adds to the decor of a ‘finished’ table setting. They are an added expense, but if you can swing it, we recommend them! Especially, if you have a plated meal, it frames the plate of food beautifully. There are times when not having a charger also looks great too, so it depends on your personal preference.
Menus
Think of when you go to a restaurant and there is a menu at your place setting and how nice it looks. It’s the same for a wedding. When you have a plated meal, guests had to choose their entree before the wedding with their RSVP, but having the menu to remind them is a nice touch! Bonus tip: customize each guests’ menu so the entree reads what they specifically chose so they do not think they have the option to choose once seated at their table. We see a lot of couples do this and have some kind of indicator on it (wax seal, rhinestone, etc) for the wait staff to know which meal it is. If you are doing a buffet or stations for your meal, you do not necessarily need the menu, as it should be listed at the buffet, but it’s not a faux pas if you have them.
Napkins
Unless you’re having a casual backyard affair with paper and plastic items, you will have a cloth napkin at each place setting. These can be rented or included with your venue (or monogram your own!). There are tons of way to fold them, as I’m sure you’ve seen at restaurants or weddings before! When it comes to a fold, we always think simpler is better (no birds of paradise, please). We recommend having something textured and maybe a pop of color if your design allows. This is a very inexpensive way to dress up your wedding place settings and still get a lot of impact!
Rentals
This portion is completely optional, but makes a big difference. If the budget allows, we suggest rented flatware and glassware to compliment your design. This can be sleek gold flatware or a colored water goblet. Yes, these items are always included with the venue/caterer in typically silver flatware and a clear glass, which is perfectly fine. We have seen couples want to elevate their wedding place settings in a subtle way, and this is the perfect addition to any decor!
As you can see, there are a few subtle ways to dress up your wedding place settings. Most of them are not 100% necessary, but if the budget allows (and you love pretty things like us!), they take your details to the next level. If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out our Pinterest board dedicated to place settings.
