Weddings have been used to celebrate love and commitment between two people for centuries. As traditions change and evolve, the desire to solidify a relationship in the presence of friends and loved ones persists, where the wedding industry is now a huge part of the events sector.
Weddings have been used to celebrate love and commitment between two people for centuries. As traditions change and evolve, the desire to solidify a relationship in the presence of friends and loved ones persists, where the wedding industry is now a huge part of the events sector.
If you’re running a hotel or venue, then capitalising on the wedding market can be a great way to secure an additional stream of income. To succeed, you need to ensure that every detail has been considered, where it can be easy to overlook the most simple elements.
In particular, the dining experience can be elevated by the inclusion of small, traditional details. It’s not always about expense or scale when you’re looking to host a memorable event, where even an intimate wedding can be made incredibly beautiful with the help of some well chosen accessories.
One of these traditional accessories that can make a real difference to a table is linen. Whether you’re looking for the perfect table cloth or napkins, linen pieces can add a transformative sense of class to a celebratory display.
Read on to find out more about table linen hire, with a look at how this option could be used to transform wedding services at your hotel.
Why Choose Linen Hire For A Wedding
There are numerous reasons why linen hire makes for a perfect addition to a celebration. Both napkins and tablecloths serve a practical purpose in terms of dining hygiene and comfort, where they also hold an intrinsic aesthetic value in formal settings.
In particular, hiring these pieces can help to make the entire organisational process easier, both in the run up to the day and during clear up. Some of these benefits include:
Flexibility - when you invest in a linen hire package, you will be able to adapt your order quantity as your event plans evolve, especially if your client is waiting on RSVPs when you initially hire your linens. You can also choose options suitable for a specific client who is hosting their wedding at your hotel, without committing to fully purchasing.
Design Options - working with a professional hire company will give you access to a variety of linen options, with all sorts of premium colours and designs on offer. This way you don’t have to commit to one design.
Affordability - hiring your linen products is often more affordable than buying outright, where you can stay on budget whilst still creating a memorable table arrangement.
The Importance of Traditional Details
Linen napkins and tablecloths may seem like old fashioned accessories for some, especially as they’re not typically used on a daily basis in our homes. But if there’s ever a time to step up a dining arrangement it’s at a wedding, where something traditional like linen can help to elevate the entire event.
Traditional details can help to add a sense of occasion to the day, even if your client wants to throw a small, intimate gathering. Smaller tables can be made to look sophisticated and celebratory with linen accents, particularly if you include further classy details such as place cards, napkin rings and floral arrangements.
Even if you’re not seating guests for a formal dinner, linen napkins can still be incorporated in order to make everyone feel special. Help yourself buffet set ups or family style arrangements can all be complemented by napkins, where these don’t necessarily need to be part of a formal place setting to add to the sense of occasion.
Top Linen Variations to Choose From
If you’re offering wedding linen pieces, it is important that your client has a wide range of options to choose from. Every wedding is different, where linens can be selected to reflect levels of formality as well as the atmosphere of the venue and the chosen colour scheme.
When guiding your client, it can be helpful to think about the specific purpose that the linens will serve on the day and how they will complement the table arrangement.
Some key design options to bear in mind include:
Napkin Style
Traditionally, table napkins come in a limited array of styles, where you can help your client to choose which design best suits the table. Most linen napkins will be entirely plain, without embroidery or detail. Some will include a strip of colour, where you can choose a piece that will reflect your broader colour scheme. Others will feature a subtle trim, adding an air of elegance to the interior.
Colours
If your client has opted for a block colour napkin, it is important to consider which shade will best suit the table. Typically, white napkins are preferred for a clean and fresh look. You may also wish to brighten the table with an accent colour, or with table linens that draw out a specific shade from the floral arrangements.
Tablecloth Detailing
It can be easy to overlook the tablecloth as a space for design and colour, but this base piece can be harnessed to add a unique flair to the wedding arrangement. Consider embroidered edges or sewn in place names for a customised feel, where you could also select a cloth that is a simplistic blank canvas for the place settings.
Material Quality
Depending on the client’s budget and aesthetic preferences, linen quality can vary. Not all pieces are 100% linen, where a blend may be required for affordability, especially if lots of napkins are needed for a large event. Try to ensure that the quality of the napkins matches the tablecloths for a cohesive look.
Finish
Linen finish is another aspect of table design to bear in mind. These pieces can be made with shiny, matte or natural linen, where the final choice can impact the overall look of the table arrangement. Consider how visible you want the napkins to be, particularly if the table is already quite busy with other accessories.
How to Set a Formal Table
Not every wedding requires a formal table arrangement, but your client may prefer to opt for a traditional layout in order to reflect the importance of the event. In this case, napkins should be placed in the middle of the charger plate, potentially secured by a napkin ring.
This is superior to placing napkins beneath cutlery, which can cause noise and disruption when the dinner begins.
It is generally recommended not to display more than twelve utensils at one time, as this can lead to a confused, cluttered appearance. Traditionally, the place settings should be arranged as followed:
- Glasses are positioned at the top right of the plate, where one wine glass will be removed depending on the diner’s preference
- Bread plates with a knife should be positioned at the top left of the charger plate
- Cutlery is used from the outside in, where guests may require specialist soup spoons, salad forks and fish knives
- Dessert forks and spoons finish the arrangement directly above the plate setting
When planning their wedding day, your client can choose to adopt as much or as little of this formality as they like, where it is your job to guide them through the options on offer.
London Linen: Table Linen Hire For Special Events
At London Linen, we can provide your hotel or venue with an unbeatable napkin and tablecloth rental service, where you can choose from our extensive range of designs to find the ideal fit. We offer block colours, napkins with a flair of colour and 100% linen tablecloths, where each piece is always laundered to perfection.
Beyond providing linens for wedding venues, we also offer an extensive selection of restaurant table linens, as well as professional chef uniforms and workwear. Simply get in touch with our team today to find out more about our full range of linen products.
020 8574 5569
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