Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Ceremony & Reception Wedding Reception Ideas The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Elizabeth Messina Photography Get inspired by beautiful tableware, from dinner plates to chargers. 01 of 32 Elizabeth Messina Photography Wedding table settings can vary greatly, but a few main elements can generally be expected: Every guest will need utensils, a napkin, drinkware, and dishes to eat off of. While each piece of the puzzle is important, plates are often the first thing guests will notice, considering that they take up the most space, and are what place cards and menu cards typically sit on. So, although plain-white options are readily available, you may want your dishes to pop a little more. If you're hoping to capitalize on your table's design potential, your plates are a great place to start. To help you get inspired for your own celebration, we've rounded up some of the prettiest place settings we've seen at weddings and related events. Formal, casual, classic, nontraditional, bright, muted, pattered, solid—whatever you consider the style of your dreams, you'll find it in this list. For seamless, cohesive tablescapes, choose one look to copy for your own special day. Or, for a more eclectic affair, you can mix and match your favorites. If you have other details—like your centerpieces—picked out, click through for ideas that'll complement them. Alternatively, use the dishes that catch your eye as a launching point for the rest of your décor search! If you're not sure how to incorporate plates into the broader scheme of your party, show a planner the ones that tickle your fancy and create a game plan together. Then, once the wedding's all done, consider keeping a set for you and your spouse—dishes this lovely deserve to be repurposed. Get the Best of Wedding Décor and Details 02 of 32 Alternating Dishes Ashley Sawtelle This wedding's place settings featured alternating middle and bottom dishes. 03 of 32 Floral Plates Abby Jiu Photography Floral plates were especially seasonal at this springtime wedding. 04 of 32 Blue China Joseba Sandoval Photography Classic china is always a timeless option—this wedding's dishes were no exception. Learn How to Put Your Wedding China to Good Use 05 of 32 Intricate Plates Love, The Nelsons This bride wore a patterned wedding dress, and selected dinnerware that would match. "I wanted a design that would playfully tie into the vibrant colors of the gown," she shared. Go Inside This Fall Wedding 06 of 32 Purple Chargers Ben Yew These gorgeous purple chargers looked lovely beneath floral plates. 07 of 32 Textured Dishes Ashley Sawtelle Textured white plates dressed up this reception's wooden tables. Go Inside This Outdoorsy Wedding 08 of 32 Complementary Plates Corbin Gurkin Odd Mom Out's Abby Elliott chose a selection of mismatched vintage china for her reception, which reflected the day's lighthearted mood. Go Inside Abby Elliott's Wedding to Bill Kennedy 09 of 32 Gold-Leaf Dishes Lacie Hansen Photography These patterned plates were beautifully refined. See More from This Casual Wedding 10 of 32 Muted Plates Caroline Tran Photography Floral plates sat atop uniquely-rimmed chargers at this wedding. How dreamy and romantic! 11 of 32 Festive Dishes Jenny Haas These fun, festive plates were from Target! Who knew gorgeous dinnerware could be so affordable? 12 of 32 Pink-Rimmed Plates L. Hewitt Photography The peachy-pink plates at this reception went well with the napkins and centerpieces. 13 of 32 Leaf Plates Corbin Gurkin Photography Nature-inspired patterns are always eye-catching, as these botanical plates went to show. 14 of 32 Elegant Dishes Kayla Barker Ornate dishes, like this textural set, always look perfectly polished. 15 of 32 Wooden Chargers Tec Petaja We love how these gold-rimmed dishes contrasted with wooden chargers. See More from This Bohemian Wedding 16 of 32 Mismatched Plates Lydia Jane Photography This eclectic tablescape featured a range of unique dishes, from translucent pink plates to floral ones. 17 of 32 Speckled Plates Lexia Frank Photography Classic Party Rentals provided these blue splattered plates, which went with the wedding's campy enamelware mugs. Go Inside This Summer Camp-Inspired Wedding 18 of 32 Green-Leaf Plates Bryan from For the Love of It These "Emerald Vine" Lomoges plates were from The Ark. See More from This Backyard Wedding 19 of 32 Detailed Plates Magnus Bogucki The place settings—from the figurines to the plates—were wonderfully whimsical at this wedding planned by Italia Celebrations. Get the Best of Whimsical Weddings 20 of 32 Navy Blue China Laura Dart This bride collected "Blue Willow" china for her reception. Go Inside This DIY Wedding 21 of 32 Flower-Rimmed Plates Marta Guenzi Supremely-sweet blooms patterned these pretty plates, which were chosen with the help of planner Sara Carboni. 22 of 32 Butterfly Plates Sally Pinera At Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead's wedding, guests dined off of one-of-a-kind dishes, including butterfly-patterned plates and bold, blue chargers. Go Inside Steven Yeun's Wedding to Joana Pak 23 of 32 Green-Blue Plates Michael + Anna Costa These seafoam-hued plates sat pretty atop clear, gold-rimmed chargers. 24 of 32 Leaf-Rimmed Chargers Corbin Gurkin These The Ark chargers, which were rimmed with golden vines, were absolutely ethereal. Go Inside This Family-Focused Wedding 25 of 32 Light-Blue Dishes Samantha Kirk Photography These matching plates and chargers were colored a soft, hazy blue. 26 of 32 Cement Chargers Lavender and Twine At this reception, china from the venue rested on industrial-chic cement chargers from Buena Tile + Stone. Go Inside This Courthouse Wedding 27 of 32 Red-and-Pink Plates Sandra Åberg Photography Pink and red are gorgeously romantic—they combined beautifully on these warm-hued plates. The table settings were planned by Brenda Babcock. 28 of 32 Patterned Plates Belathée Photography Gold is such a celebratory color—it was used creatively in these place settings. Go Inside This Colorful Wedding 29 of 32 Gold-Rimmed Dishes Michael Radford These gold-rimmed dishes were exquisitely simple. 30 of 32 Mixed Plates Sierra Solis Photography Various plates were used at this anniversary party. We're especially sweet on this deep-green dish. Learn How to Plan an Anniversary Party 31 of 32 Colorblocked Plate Gideon Photo These yellow-and-white plates were casually cool. 32 of 32 Clear Plate Angga Permana Classy, clear plates at this glam wedding showcased the lacey tablecloth underneath. Get More Ideas for Your Wedding Reception Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit