Hey there, lovely people!
Okay, so as the title of this post suggests, I could really use your input on something (don’t be scared…it’s nothing serious!). You see, I have pretty much every aspect of this wedding pictured in my mind, save for one very important thing: the reception decor.
I’ve got hundreds of mason jars I’ll be putting candles in, I’ll have a dozen or so manzanita branches for some centerpiece variety, and I have a few ideas up my sleeve for what to do on the ceiling in what could only be described as a bland and generally underwhelming reception space. When we first booked it, I had visions of the space being a clean slate that I could transform in any way I wanted. Except now that we’re ready to start actually putting down some simoleons for stuff, I’m feeling a little hesitant about making decisions.
This leads me to the current question at hand: I’m stuck on what to do for our table linens! First thing you should know: We’re buying our linens instead of renting them, because (SURPRISE!) buying is cheaper than renting. Who woulda thunk it? Obviously, I don’t want to be stuck with thirty tablecloths forever after the wedding is over, so we’re going to try and sell them on eBay or something after everything is said and done.
Right now, I’m stuck between two options: sage green tablecloths or white ones.
My first instinct was to go with the green because the entire reception space is already white, and I figured bringing a colored tablecloth in would really jazz the space up. Because, I mean, how good do these look?
I guess I’m worried about two things with the green tablecloth option: First, I’m worried that 30 tables covered in green might be too overwhelming in an otherwise white room. Second, I’m not sure if 30 green tablecloths would be as easy to sell as 30 white ones.
This leads me to my second option, which is a white tablecloth with a green table runner on top, kind of like this:
Issues with this option: Because we’ll be buying both tablecloths and runners, it’ll eat up more of our budget. Secondly, majority of our centerpieces are mostly neutral (i.e. white or silver) so I’m not sure if the runners are bold enough to stand as the only “colored” item on the tables.
So, hive, this is where I could really use your advice! Should we go for the green tablecloths, which have more of an impact but are most likely less re-sellable? Or should we go with white tablecloths and green runners, the more underwhelming but more expensive option? Do you think green tablecloths would be too overwhelming in our bland, all-white reception space?
I voted for the green tablecloths. I really love the photos with them and really think they do make an impact, especially since they’re going to be in a mainly white room with neutral centerpieces: I love a pop of color! And though they won’t be AS re-sellable, I think you will still be able to re-sell them–the abundance of inspiration pictures with green centerpieces means lots of brides like the look and there are lots of themes brides could use them for (nature-y, pink and green, outdoor, etc.!).
Green! Especially with your white centerpieces from the last post, green will make everything pop.
I think the colored tablecloths are a great idea! I’m using white tablecloths because my reception space is super colorful and busy (it’s a brewery tasting room, very urban). With your white backdrop, color would be a fabulous choice!
The green definitely stands out, and once they’re loaded with place settings, centerpieces, etc. I don’t think they’ll be too much. Are you planning on incorporating your purple color at all? It would be a nice contrast with the green – maybe some purple butterflies in the manzanitas, like other posters were discussing in a recent thread? Or maybe some purple silk flowers here and there, in keeping with your garden theme but not to break the bank? Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Buy or rent linen napkins rather than a simple runner. If you do green tablecloths, the white napkins will break up the green. If you choose white tables, the green will add a “pop” of color, and you can sell them separately from the tablecloths. They will run about the same (from what I’ve seen) as a runner or two per table, and I’m sure there’s a spring bride somewhere who would jump on them 
Good luck!
I voted green tablecloths, but I like @Merelymere‘s idea about the napkins, too.
Do some of each! Half green, half white and mix them up across the room. Green tables with white napkins, white tables with green napkins. It will leave you with fewer green tablecloths to sell and also break up the green color so it isn’t overwhelming
Why not mix the tablecloth colors and alternate runners/napkins? Then you can have a pop of color on all the tables!
I voted for sage green, love the color. I have the opposite problem, the walls of my reception venue are colorful and busy so i’m going with all white tablecloths. Could you share the website where you are buying your tablecloths? I’d much rather buy white tablecloths than rent, I too have 3o tables so i’m trying to save as much money as possible.
Thanks!
Green! Mostly because I did white (to resell them) and I thought it ended up looking kind of boring. Also, I love green.
@MiaCherie: Pretty sure we’re going with the ones from smartyhadaparty.com. They’re the cheapest, from what I’ve found! They may be lesser in “quality,” but I figure they’re just gonna get all stained up from people eating food on them, anyway. Once we add the place settings and the table numbers and centerpieces, the tablecloths should just work to anchor the decor!
To everyone else, thank you for your suggestions! And keep them coming! You have no idea how helpful you all are!!
I voted green table cloths. You can then use white napkins and your neutral coloured centre pieces will stand out more.
I think they’ll still be sellable – even if you sell them in smaller batches, someone might just want a couple as an accent for the “other” tables like cake, buffet, candy station etc… (which I guess is something you could do if you ended up chosing white table cloths!) x
I voted for green tablecloths but also like the idea of green napkins on the white tablecloths (no runners). If you went with the white, you could add some more greenery into the centerpiece for contrast as well. Either way, gorgeous!
The green tablecloths would add a nice punch of color! I also like the other suggestions of using green napkins. What about white tablecloths with a sheer green overlay? That way there’s color, but not too much.
I’m a fan of both white and green tablecloths with the alternate color runner and napkins…it will break up the single color and could be easier to sell in two sets afterwards.
Green tableclothes all the way. I would bring the white in with the flowers.
Green! With the place settings and decorations it won’t be overpowering.
I’m having a navy&sage wedding in 2014 and want my tables to look JUST like the green inspiration picture – so if you choose green I promise there will be at least one buyer!!!
Plus it just looks better, I think. More lively, and your centerpieces will pop!
White tablecloths and (sheer-ish) green overlays! I’m having the same “too much white” dilemma, and I think overlays are the way to go! More color than runners, but less overwhelming than a colored tablecloth. Hope this helps!
Go green! They might take you longer to sell than the white, but green like that is definitely something other brides will want so I’m sure you’ll be able to sell them eventually.
Mrs. Armadillo, Houston, Texas Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Armed Security Officer Engagement Date: September 28, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: First Presbyterian Church/Bay City Civic Center About Me: I’m an oldies-loving, board game-playing, coffee addicted fine arts junkie from Southeast Texas in pursuit of her master’s degree in communication studies who met the goofy, strong, artistic, and unexpected love of her life in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. Serendipity threw us together again and again (and again) on our college campus before we eventually stuck, but when we finally did submit to destiny, we hit the ground running and never looked back! We’re planning a religious, small town, budget-friendly, DIY-infused “winter becomes springtime” ceremony and reception to celebrate the beginning of our lives together with the people we love the most, and are pouring our hearts and souls into making sure our wedding represents us as a couple down to the nitty gritty details and balances tradition with the quirky individuality that is uniquely and unequivocally “us”!
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