These Statement Linens Will Take Your Wedding Reception to the Next Level

By Sarah Schreiber
June 14, 2018
Ben Q. Photography

Get ready for bold colors, playful patterns, and unexpected textures ahead.

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Ben Q. Photography

Designing your reception tables is one of the more creative aspects of planning a wedding. There are just so many items to nail down—the dishware, cutlery, and drinking glasses, to name a few. There's one particular detail, though, that can make or break your tablescape's entire aesthetic: your linens. While sticking with classic tablecloths, runners, and napkins is perfectly fine—there's something to be said about a crisp, all-white scene—we're partial to the tablescapes you didn't see coming. While all of those eye-catching place settings we love tend to be as different as it gets, they do have one thing in common: Their table linens are all next-level.

You'll see exactly what we mean once you click through to the following images. They show what's possible when a couple's artistic vision, an event designer's expertise, and an elite linen rental company combine forces. From bold colors and unique patterns to sparkly accents and unexpected textures, these table textiles completely stole the show at real wedding receptions. And though these statement linens may stand out all on their own, they still work cohesively with the rest of the tabletop's décor and floral design—that's what makes them truly noteworthy. As for our favorite pairings? You'll fall in love with emerald velvet runners and gold vessels, vintage lace tablecloths and peacock chairs, and jute placemats and blush pink dinnerware, just like we did.

Don't just take our word for it, though. Click through to discover all of these incredible reception tables, complete with statement-making linens that will surely inspire your own, whatever your design vision.

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Unexpected Lace

Anna Delores Photography

Lace is a popular wedding fabric, but you can use it in more colors than just white. This tablescape, designed by Vanessa Noel Events, featured a black lace runner over a pink velvet tablecloth. Just as noteworthy? The olive-green velvet ribbon that tied the gray napkins together.

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Black and White

Rachel Havel Photography
Go Inside This Boulder, Colorado Wedding

Believe it or not, a textile can inspire an entire tablescape. That's exactly what happened with this one. When the bride saw this black-and-white La Tavola runner, she knew that it would be the anchor piece for all of her reception tables.

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Jute

Katie Pritchard Photography
Discover Our Favorite Wedding Color Palettes

This Green Apple Event Company tablescape is as much a lesson in color and texture play as it is in eye-catching textiles. You'll come for the woven placemats (how cool!), but stay for the mustard, blush, and ice blue color palette and marble accents.

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Monogram

Jen Fariello Photography
More Monogrammed Wedding Ideas

Give your guest tables the ultimate accessory—a tasseled runner (Jeannine Smith of Beloved Thread made this one!) emblazoned with your new initial.

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Swirled Blue

Sylvie Gil Photography

Here, Alison Events used an extended cerulean tablecloth to ground another with a crystal-meets-marble pattern.

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Darks and Brights

Emily Delamater Photography

We love how A Family Affair of Maine brightened up a deep navy tabletop with lavender linen napkins and cheery coral taper candles.

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Velvet

Laura Goldenberger Photography
Velvet Wedding Ideas You'll Love

This LB Event Planning reception table proved that it's possible to merge industrial décor with glam details. There's nothing incongruous about this scene, which featured metal chairs and a luxe crushed velvet tablecloth.

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Dip-Dyed

Ana and Jerome Photography

Now, here's a way to subtly tie your linens back to your event's floral color palette. Make like Amy Abbott Events and match one of your centerpiece's star shades to dip-dyed ombré napkins.

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Shimmer

Sarah Kate Photography

Elevate an all-black-everything cocktail hour with a little bit of refined sparkle, just like Stefanie Miles Events did here.

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Floral

Brett Hickman Photography

These bloom-covered napkins are the ultimate add to a garden-themed reception. We recommend following A Good Affair's lead by alternating floral varieties with solids to refrain from overwhelming the tabletop.

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Tassels

Jenn Emerling
Check Out These Tasseled Wedding Touches

Preppy peach and blush serviettes (the knotted presentation is so chic!) can perk up a neutral, tasseled table runner, as evidenced by this To La Lune display.

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Moody

Noi Tran
Wedding Centerpieces with Fruits and Veggies

Sara Gillianne knows how to pair splashy with muted tones. She effortlessly married an earthy, gold-speckled tablecloth with the table's fruity florals from Ginger Rose. Acrylic ghost chairs added a modern note.

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Ikat

Jose Villa

An ikat runner adds just the right amount of whimsy to your reception venue.

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Chartreuse

Koman Photography

Looking for a way to soften lime green? The key is texture—opt for chartreuse linens in a soft-to-the-touch textile, like this velvet runner from La Tavola.

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Rainbow

Matthew Morgan Photography

These rainbow watercolor napkins (styled by Jamie Joe Designs) felt a little futuristic, thanks to the geometric overlay.

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Bas-Relief

Jessica Blex

This slightly-raised tablecloth brought subtle dimension to an otherwise-neutral tablescape, designed by Love Struck Events.

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Emerald City

Kathryn Whitworth

Take one look at this emerald and gold tabletop, and it's hard to fight the feeling that you've been transported to the Wizard of Oz's idyllic city.

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Speckled

Chowen Photography
Ways to Add a Pop of Metallic to Your Wedding

This slate runner had the color palette and speckled effect of a robin's egg. We also love how New Leaf Design brought in shiny copper and marble candle holders for color contrast.

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Fuchsia

Les Amis

Speaking of color contrast, The Wedding Care proved that a fuchsia velvet runner pops even more when paired with navy candles.

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Vintage Lace

Love Janet
Get Vintage Wedding Inspo

Linens are often the most attention-grabbing when they seamlessly reference another one of your celebration's major décor moments. Take this head table, designed by The Dainty Lion, for example. Both the vintage lace tablecloth and his-and-hers peacock chairs (from Pow Wow Design Studio) feel as if they're from the same era.

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By Sarah Schreiber