Early on in our planning process, I told myself that some of the little details about our wedding would only be noticed by me and a handful of others. I was convinced that most people just see “wedding” at a wedding and don’t really notice the details. I was okay with that. It also gave me freedom to ignore a few things that I could see myself making really complicated. Mr. Mink actually changed my mind about one of those things a few weeks ago.
Last month, we went to the wedding of a colleague at a local vineyard. It was a beautiful day. It was my first time attending a wedding since starting to plan my own, which is an interesting experience. On our way home that night, Mr. Mink commented on the napkins. He thought it was nice that the bride brought in napkins in one of the wedding colors. We had been planning on using the very nice, standard linens at our venue, but Mr. Mink suggested we look into getting napkins in one of our colors. That seemed simple enough.
This is where things get kind of interesting.
Remember the dresses I picked out for my bridesmaids? J. Crew discontinued the color and fabric combination I wanted before I could track down a dress for one of my bridesmaids. Before I bought her dress on ebay, I prowled multiple websites for “Matisse Blue” J. Crew dress listings and I found a listing on Craigslist for napkins. The seller had bought napkins specifically to match her bridesmaids’ dresses, which were the same color as mine. There was no way things could be this easy. I emailed the seller…and never heard back.
But that seller had named the company that made the napkins, so I went to their website and ordered samples that might match.
Napkin color swatches / Photo by Miss Mink
Amazingly, one of the samples was almost a perfect match. I was a little shocked. I didn’t think finding these would be so easy.
A perfect match! / Photo by Miss Mink
I’ve been on the verge of hitting the “confirm” button on an order from the linen company’s website a few times. I can’t decide if this is a good purchase. I was convinced that people didn’t notice little details like napkins in your colors, but Mr. Mink noticed those napkins at the wedding we went to last month. This isn’t a huge purchase, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it.
Standard table settings at our venue / Photo by Miss Mink
What do you think? Will adding a little color to the tables, beyond the flowers, look nice or do you think they’re such a tiny element that they won’t make much of an difference in the room where we’ll be having our reception?
Our reception room / Photo by Miss Mink
Before you became a bride, did you notice the little details at weddings?
Not at all! (This may be because of the open bars….) I usually notice things like if the flowers are real vs fake, and if the bride and groom look happy. That’s it. Well… before I got engaged. Now I feel like judgey mcjudgerson at weddings.
I think that color match is pretty darn close, Miss Mink!
@eagle: Amazing, everyone at our table noticed the chargers. They were definitely rented and were also in one of the wedding colors. Our table was mostly older folks, though. One retired academic pulled out his smart phone to scan the bar code on the chargers, thinking he’d figure out where to buy them. The bar code was probably an inventory tag put on the by the rental company, though. His little app didn’t return anything. 
I like colored napkins personally. I think its a nice touch.
Before planning, I think I noticed a bit, but not everything. Im a pretty detailed person in general. But after planning, I pay even MORE attention.
Its refreshing to see that a GROOM noticed the color of the napkins.
I am one of the people that notices little details, even before the wedding process! I think you should go for it and get the napkins in your color. I know I am. To me it just adds the perfect touch to the table.
Nope, I hardly noticed anything before I got married. BUT, a handful of folks came up to me at my wedding and mentioned the gocco’ed napkins that I had filled with fun facts, some mentioned the ‘Thank you parasols’ or the drink flags in our colors. They also mentioned a few other details. Granted, most of the folks who noticed were female but still, some of the guys did come up to DH to tell him too. However, honestly speaking, I wouldn’t have paid extra for the napkins, only because I don’t care about napkins. Trust me, I spent a lot of money on flowers. The amount I spent on a peony bouquet in July makes me cringe a little but you only live once and if you can afford it, why not
I think adding a little pop of color to that room would look gorgeous! It doesn’t need to much, but a little blue that ties everything together would look amazing.
If I were you I would buy them just because Mr. Mink wants them. I know that my fiancé would smile when he saw them and be very proud that he helped. There are so few details that he notices, I jump on the things that he does!
I have some extra paper napkins in various colors through my work. I have one that is very close to your color if you’d like me to send you some if you’re okay with paper napkins so you can save the cost if you’re not sure if that expense. And yes, I notice EVERY detail, but I’m a very detail-oriented person. I pay attention to all the little things like color-coordination, the cake, the personal touches, etc. And it’s worse now that I’m engaged! But I don’t think a lot of people do notice… but that doesn’t mean that I’m not pouring a TON of details into my own wedding!
Here’s how I feel about the little details, if they are there people might notice them (of course some won’t, my Mr. had never realized that he’s received a favor at EVERY WEDDING HE’S EVER BEEN TO… good heck). But if they aren’t no one is going to say “You know Miss Mink’s wedding would have been so much better if the napkins had matched the bridesmaids dresses”
So, it will be lovely either way. But I think a perfect match like that is hard to resist… HIT CONFIRM!
I think that the details definitely add to the overall experience. Even if guests don’t pick up on every single special detail, they will notice (even if subconsciously) the overall – the details really add up and a wedding devoid of special details will feel empty compared to one where a lot of thought and love went into everything, (even if a lot of money did’nt go into it). But maybe that’s just my opinion…
I think it would be nice! I’m not too interested in the small details myself either, but I was thinking about getting drink napkins in my colour.
I would absolutely go for it if it’s in your budget. I think it’s a nice touch, and a way to bring everything together, color-wise. (Of course, I may be biased…we had blue napkins at our wedding…)
I guess the question is – even if you notice them, do you care? I’m much more likely to notice details that scream “wow, this is SO x couple” then “oh good, the rental place had napkins that matched.”
Sure, is it a nice design tough? Yes. Does it really matter/is it worth the money? No.
It’s a wedding, not an interior decorating showcase.
@Miss Mink: My god thats intense! Old Academics are my favourite people in the whole world. All of the ones in my Department have iPads and iPhones, too, and they are so cute when they are tapping away on them. I love old people, haha.
And that reminds me I need to think about chargers!
I wouldn’t worry about it so much, but that’s me. If you haven’t chosen a favor (if you’re doing them at all), I would look at adding that pop of color to the table that way. What would you do with the napkins after if you can’t sell them?
@vanbride: Oh my gosh, you are so sweet! If we don’t get them, we’ll just use the standard linens at the venue. everything in their package coordinates.
@Lexy: Ba ha ha! You’re right! At least, I hope you’re right!
About four months after attending the wedding of two friends, I had a conversation with them, where they discussed what a lovely job their florist had done with the bride’s bouquet. It struck me that I had absolutely NO idea what her bouquet looked like – but I did remember how lovely she looked as she walked up the aisle, and how happy they seemed. I took it as a good lesson for my own wedding planning. On the other hand Miss Mink, those napkins are such a brilliant match, and the colour is so fabulous, that I don’t think you can go wrong. But having seen the pics of you in your fabulous dress yesterday however, I can’t imagine the napkins will be at the forefront of any guests minds – they will only be looking at you (and the Mr.!).
@MeganTacky2247: I was pretty stunned that Mr. Mink noticed, too! I’m usually the fabric/paint/color freak and he’s more of the taste/sound/feel freak (if that makes sense…I’m the more visual one). He got a brownie point for his comment!
@Verita: @MaggieL:@christyhal: I had a feeling I’d get support on this one here!
@bRooklynRocks: You had me at Gocco! I luff you! You are amazing!
@Paper Rose: Such a good point. He doesn’t always notice the details, so maybe I need to make sure this one happens.
@lisaelanna: Good point. They’d definitely add to the overall feel.
@Erica: Ah, but here’s the thing. I’m a design blogger. Some people have made comments about how they can’t wait to see the decor scheme I put together. They seem to think it is an interior design showcase! I’d love to go overboard, but because I love design, I knew I had to reign myself in…which is why I didn’t go down the linen rabbit hole previously.
I talked briefly with a wedding planner in town about my decor and she got me so excited that I actually considered renting linens from Atlanta! As soon as I said it out loud to Mr. Mink, I realize that the design blogger needed to take a step back and not go too, too over the top.
@jpalm13: I don’t know! I am pretty darn good at selling stuff on the Craiger, though.
@Irish_in_Oxford: Um, I think you are my favorite person in the whole wide world right now with that comment! You are so nice!
If I hadn’t won that dress, I don’t think we’d be even considering spending $150 on napkins when the venue has standard ones…but I feel like the match is a sign!
I think if you want the napkins go for it! I got married in August, and while a lot of my guests commented on the decorations the day of the wedding or shortly after- I don’t think guests remember details long-term, unless it’s a bride planning her wedding.
Even as a recent bride, I just went to a wedding a few weeks ago, and I remember liking the decor but I really have no idea what it looked like now. lol but I remembered I had a blast and the dessert table was my friend at the end of the night.
You’ll remember the details forever, not everyone else, so if you want the napkins- get the napkins!
Mrs. Mink, Charlottesville, Virginia Age and Occupation: 34, College Administrator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 40, Craft Beer Consultant Engagement Date: November 26, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2012 Venue: Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards About Me: I left a pre-war brownstone in Boston six years ago to live in a funky, Southern city where Thomas Jefferson, Dave Matthews, and urban chicken keepers enjoy equal social standing. I still love my Patriots and Red Sox, but have fallen in love with Virginia. I work in education and specialize in integrating technology into my work to improve the student experience. I’m a diehard blogger, animal lover, jamband follower, and DIYer. I paint to relax and have transferred by energy from home projects to wedding projects in recent months. When Mr. Mink and I started talking about marriage, we knew our wedding would be outdoors, that my golden retriever would be part of the day, and that the music would be fantastic. We’ve taken a few risks during our planning process and we’ve been enjoying the process immensely!
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