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I have been bridal-brainwashed. My wedding will be a total failure unless I hand make…napkin rings! (Please note that in the weeks to come that sentence will probably change several times stating various failures.) I have no idea why this has become such an issue, especially since Congress Hall has some lovely dinner plates, which I am sure would look just fine sans napkin rings.
Image via Congress Hall
I think the craziness comes from the lack of color in our floral arrangements. They are, hopefully, mostly going to be fluffy white hydrangeas in white milk glass. Boring! This table clearly screams for colorful napkin rings!
I would love to do something like this:
Or this:
But there is no way either one of those is probably going to happen. I don’t own a sewing machine, so option one is out, and I am in no way crafty enough to do option two.
Let’s talk about something a little more my speed. First up, a napkin ring that is slutting it up all over the internet right now: The Martha Stewart pom.
Beautious / Image via Martha Stewart Weddings
This would be a great way to add some color. I could totally do these in orange. But I don’t know if I am that “crafty,” which is my code for “I am lazy.” I would probably get through about five of the 125 that I need and take a nap instead.
Image via Martha Stewart
Oh yeah. Now we are talking. Easy, check. Cheap, probably. But is it too easy/not enough of an impact? If I am going to spend hours making something I want people to notice I made it, GD it!
And, last but not least, an easy paper one, also from Martha Stewart Weddings.
Again, super easy. But I think lace might be taking our decor into a place I don’t really want to go. However, if I did lace then I could put lace on the votive candles…ooooh, options. Now I am getting carried away.
What do you think? Should I go with the easy and less of an impact, or the paper poms that will most definitely drive me crazy? Or should I just give up now and realize that I am never going to do either of those options?
Haha, slutting it up all over the internet. Love it. I LOVE the poms, but I really think the ribbon with the bead is cute, too. It’ll probably be much less of a headache. You can probably also add something else to jazz it up, maybe do a double ribbon with a bigger bead or something like that. You could also wrap the ribbon with a little wired flower instead.
I came across an idea that seems easy, cheap and good for those who are not so crafty. You can cut the cardboard from toilet paper rolls up then just wrap colorful around them. You can collect the cardboard tubes for free (I’m assuming you use TP anyways!) and get a patterened ribbon that will help make them pop. Otherwise I say go for the poms, they are too cute. Good luck!
I say go with the pom poms and the ribbons every other seat less work but still a wow factor 
I did poms for all 100 of our guests. It wasn’t hard to make them (a little repetitive, though), but you can’t fluff them until you are ready to put them on the napkins. That’s when they become a pain. People actually need to know how to correctly do it! Since I was running around doing other pieces of the reception the night before, our wedding party offered to do them. Seven 24 and 25 year olds couldn’t figure out how to do them! The only one who could? Our ten-year-old flower girl. She had recently made them at school, so she personally made sure all 100 were up to standard. Just a warning!
Could you glue some silk flowers onto the wooden bead that the ribbon goes through (on the second-to-last pic)? That would give you the best of both worlds!
I like the ribbons, simple, but easy enough to complete while adding some color to your tables. Plus I looks less time consuming, so that’s usually gets my vote 
Definitely the ribbon. Ms Library is totally right - the last thing you want to be doing the morning of is giving last minute tutorials on pom-fluffing! Far easier to go with the ribbon, at least they could be done, stacked and boxed waaay in advance. Be very wary of adding Day-of assembly to too many elements - my paper-doily-wrapped jars for candles and flowers got a bit bashed in all of the rush on the morning, and my caterer wouldn’t let anyone light more than half of the candles because the paper was sticking up above the neck of the jar and he was freaked about fire risk! Sorry I know that’s totally irrelevant, but the basic point stands. Keep it simple!
Hahaha I love your intro. Soooo true. I love the lace, too! Can’t wait to see what you choose
The ribbon/bead is not enough if that’s what your going to use to add color. I like the pom poms the best, but if your not that crafty go with the concept of the last one. You can go to the craft store for other options. You can use strips of colorful scrapbook paper, lace paper (google this), or vellum paper (comes in different colors and patterns). It’s simple and can add lots color
I actually really like the simple elegance of the ribbon. It’s enough of an embellishment to draw the eye, but not so much that it becomes the focus of the tablescape. All of these ideas are so cute, though–looking forward to seeing what you chose!
Not to steal Mrs. Magic’s idea - but I have been in LOVE with her button napkin rings since I read that post. I totally added color and sounded super easy to do - no sewing required. Also, I love all of these options, but the poms the best. However, I think the advice needs to be heeded from the posters above - will you have time to puff them out before set up? Will you care if they don’t get puffed out perfectly?
OH I LOVE those poms! They may look great with the fullness of the hydrangeas. Although simpler may look better with the hydrangeas so they don’t compete. I’m really bad with this until I actually see them next to each other. See what looks better…
@KCheer: Shhhh don’t tell anyone but that is what we decided to go with. Ms. Magic to the rescue!
I do agree with all of the concepts you have introduced in your post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for newbies. May just you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
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Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich, Washington, DC/Cape May, NJ Age and Occupation: 28, School Counselor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Collegiate Athletics Engagement Date: March 27, 2010 Wedding Date: October 2011 Venue: Congress Hall Hotel About Me: I am a school counselor who spends my day wrangling children and my nights attempting to be creative with wedding projects. My enthusiasm for each of these activities far surpasses my skill. Thank goodness Mr. Cucumber Sandwich is there to pick up the pieces and be the voice of reason about my DIY tries. I have an obsession with terrible romantic comedies (‘From Justin to Kelly’ anyone?, anyone?!?), competitive Scrabble play, and hot dogs. I could eat astronaut ice cream for every meal and can’t seem to resist buying more shoes. Our wedding is going to be a true hodge podge of semi-destination, tradition, Yuengling, New England charm, with just a dash of ‘Jersey Shore’ thrown in. It has been six years in the making and I can’t wait to marry my best friend.
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