Your dining tables can completely transform a space; below, The Wild Fork talk all things table, from shape and style to linen and crockery to give an insight into how to think logistically as well as aesthetically about your wedding breakfast set up!
Table Shape
Your style or theme shouldn't be the only criteria for choosing the shape of your wedding tables. Although rustic wooden tables are the perfect backdrop for plentiful sharing banquet dishes, small nooks of your venue might be overlooked, wasting precious dining space! Why not opt for a contrast of beautiful bare wood banquet tables down the centre of your barn venue, with rounds or squares providing an intimate space for ten guests to natter in each alcove. Being clever with your space will not only leave you with a neat, spacious dining area but also will allow you to have more options with your table plans.
Table Layout
The politics of the seating arrangement can often take over dining plans. Of course, it's important to ensure your guests will be comfortable with their position, but the table layout itself is equally as important! Putting time and planning into your table layout early on will ensure no surprises on the wedding day itself.
Usually, your venue team or wedding coordinator can guide you with layouts which have previously worked well. If, however, you have an idea which hasn't been carried out at the venue before, such as a 'U' shape banquet set up in a barn which usually uses round tables, always ask for measurements and draw out the plan allowing plenty of extra space for your catering team and guests to move around the tables and chairs.
Sometimes, your dining space will transform under the spell of your catering team to provide space for a dance floor and evening entertainment. The layout for this part of the night can often be overlooked, however, it's always a good idea to chat with your catering team to plan a spacious and sociable furniture layout that promotes a lively dance floor whilst allowing quieter spots for conversation. Silchester Farm's hen house, above provides the perfect break-out from the hustle and bustle of the night.
Usually, your venue team or wedding coordinator can guide you with layouts which have previously worked well. If, however, you have an idea which hasn't been carried out at the venue before, such as a 'U' shape banquet set up in a barn which usually uses round tables, always ask for measurements and draw out the plan allowing plenty of extra space for your catering team and guests to move around the tables and chairs.
Sometimes, your dining space will transform under the spell of your catering team to provide space for a dance floor and evening entertainment. The layout for this part of the night can often be overlooked, however, it's always a good idea to chat with your catering team to plan a spacious and sociable furniture layout that promotes a lively dance floor whilst allowing quieter spots for conversation. Silchester Farm's hen house, above provides the perfect break-out from the hustle and bustle of the night.
Table Linen
Long gone are the days of white or ivory being your only linen choice. Linen can be a way to add intrigue to your wedding tables through colour, texture and shape.
Forget swans and fans, loose organic knots and napkins draped down the edge of the table allow a wider surface area of colour. Drawing on a colour within your floral arrangements can bring your table look together, and choosing a slightly different shade of this colour will enhance this further.
For table cloths, pattern and texture can surprise your guests on entrance to your dining room like Lucy and Chris' Sail Tent Company wedding above captured by Guy Hearn Photography where patterned rounds with a coastal feel contrasted with white-wash long tables.
Forget swans and fans, loose organic knots and napkins draped down the edge of the table allow a wider surface area of colour. Drawing on a colour within your floral arrangements can bring your table look together, and choosing a slightly different shade of this colour will enhance this further.
For table cloths, pattern and texture can surprise your guests on entrance to your dining room like Lucy and Chris' Sail Tent Company wedding above captured by Guy Hearn Photography where patterned rounds with a coastal feel contrasted with white-wash long tables.
If you want to let the bare wood of long tables sing, opt for an organic runner, like this one from Wedding Shed that we used with Crystal Hire's gorgeous oyster plates for an autumnal look.
Table & Glassware
With more and more crockery options flooding the scene, it can be hard not to get carried away with stacking up all sorts of plates and chargers for a beautiful textured table look. We understand that crockery can be an excellent way to inject your theme into your table set up, and we love the way our food pops against dark natural stoneware.
Black cutlery can add edge to a feminine colour palette while dramatically dark plates add a mysterious feel to a table set up later in the year. Textured stone plates feel more earthy, and work well with foraged, wild food that sings with the season.
Classic glassware lets the centrepiece, crockery and linen sing, whereas a coloured or etched glass adds a pop of something different and adds heigh to your look. We love adding hints of green glassware to a classical, clean white and green look.
Whilst choosing your set up, it's always advisable to keep space in mind. Think about your table size as well as other items on the table, such as table decorations and any sharing dish elements which might sit in the centre. Although six foot rounds can comfortably seat ten guests for a three course meal, adding further courses and wine flights will significantly reduce this. There is nothing more frustrating than spending money on beautiful charger plates to find out on the morning that they won't fit on your tables. For glassware, although it's a nice touch to offer your guests multiple wine glasses, if you're opting for just one or two courses you can save space for your centrepieces by placing one wine glass alongside a stemmed water glass. Your caterer will also be able to advise on this, and will usually provide the crockery options for you to see at a tasting session prior to the big day.
Black cutlery can add edge to a feminine colour palette while dramatically dark plates add a mysterious feel to a table set up later in the year. Textured stone plates feel more earthy, and work well with foraged, wild food that sings with the season.
Classic glassware lets the centrepiece, crockery and linen sing, whereas a coloured or etched glass adds a pop of something different and adds heigh to your look. We love adding hints of green glassware to a classical, clean white and green look.
Whilst choosing your set up, it's always advisable to keep space in mind. Think about your table size as well as other items on the table, such as table decorations and any sharing dish elements which might sit in the centre. Although six foot rounds can comfortably seat ten guests for a three course meal, adding further courses and wine flights will significantly reduce this. There is nothing more frustrating than spending money on beautiful charger plates to find out on the morning that they won't fit on your tables. For glassware, although it's a nice touch to offer your guests multiple wine glasses, if you're opting for just one or two courses you can save space for your centrepieces by placing one wine glass alongside a stemmed water glass. Your caterer will also be able to advise on this, and will usually provide the crockery options for you to see at a tasting session prior to the big day.
Centrepieces
Your catering team have seen it all - life-sized trees cut into the centre of the table, enormous martini glasses with cascading lilies or delicate little trinkets sat on wood stumps. Your centrepieces can completely transform your venue and are an extremely important part of your look and so plenty of planning and consideration should take place to choose the right arrangement for you.
When considering tall arrangements, think about your guests' comfort and how they will interact with the other guests on the table. Your arrangement should allow conversation to flow, and not inhibit guests from talking across the table, or passing feasting bowls to each other. The arrangement above from Miss Mollies Flowers is a perfect example!
Low runner or meadow style arrangements work well to provide an abundant and relaxed feel, littered with candlesticks of varying height to add dimension like the look above where we teamed up with the wonderful Wessex Flower Company and Victoria Shute Calligraphy. If you opt for a sharing-style wedding breakfast, opt for at least three foot wide tables and explore the idea of lifting your sharing dishes with your catering team.
We know you'd be in the safest hands with The Wild Fork, with a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide you calmly through the planning process whilst inspiring you with their contemporary ideas. To get in touch with the team, email [email protected] or call them on 01635 200 200!
All images from Silchester Farm are by our amazing photographer friend Benjamin, obvs.
All images from Silchester Farm are by our amazing photographer friend Benjamin, obvs.