Tid bits on Linen Selection
The first thing I will always ask and encourage clients to think about before making any decisions at all in the planning process is
What is the purpose of your event?
What do you want to achieve by bringing people together?
Even weddings can have VERY different purposes, such some weddings are meant to bring people together and celebrate the couple with energy, inviting family and friends to a kick ass party. Others want to give back to their family and friends with more of a laid back, comforting atmosphere, and the whole event is of course to celebrate the union of two people but the purpose is more set on thanking their family and friends for the love and support they have and will receive.
So once that questions is answered, now its time to decide are you even going to have tables? Are you serving a dinner? If the answer is yes, you’ll have tables in any capacity, keep reading. If the answer was no, you're fine to completely skip this post;)
There are a few things you should keep in mind when choosing your linens;
Think big picture, your linens will give a great first impression on two guest touch points.
The first is their first visual of the dinner room, whether it’s cocktail tables or full dinner tables, it’ll likely be the first things your guests see. In the pictures notice how prominent the linens are in the full visual, this is how your guest is going to see the big picture, so what do you want them to feel when they see it.
The second touch point is when your guest sits down, they will likely feel the linen in the process of sitting down, and of course it takes up a large portion of the table, this will give them another subconscious first impression. This is a large partition of your guests experience, the feel of the fabric will affect the mood of the entire event.
Remember that your linens are a canvas for all your table settings and decor.
The right colour, texture, and feel will affect the way everything else looks on your table. Use this canvas to enhance your table settings as well as the decor on the center of the table. A great thing to do is take even just some of the items you plan on using on your tables to your decor rental companies showroom and do a mock up, feel confident in the decisions you’ve made and see it all together. We offer showroom visits where you can meet with one of designers and they will help you put a mock up together, give you any suggestions and feedback. Click this link if you’d like to make one now!
Take into consideration your set up time for the event.
Every linen has different needs when it comes to steaming, some are much more high maintenance in getting the wrinkles out, some will not require steaming at all. Also consider how much decor and dishware will be on the table, if your chairs are fairly solid, and there will be a lot of dishware and decor, maybe steaming for a high maintenance linen isn't needed. With the linens we have in our rental collection natural fabrics like linen, and silk will all hold their folds really well and will require more time for steaming. Fabrics like polyester, polyester blends, and silk are mid range, you may still want to steam these on site but they don’t require as much time. Linens like velvet and velveteen require no steaming at all usually.
You’ll want to consider what size your tables are and how far off the table you want the linen to hang.
We always want those linens to touch the ground at the very least, if you want them to do an ethereal puddle you’ll need to order a size larger for the table. I’ve included a link HERE that shows the size linen you'll want for some of the most common event size tables as well as the math equation to use if your tables are a different size, or if you are lining tables beside each other to make a long table dinner.
Linens may seem like a subtle detail in event design, but they play a pivotal role in shaping the overall ambiance and guest experience. From setting the initial visual tone to providing a tactile sensation, linens are more than just fabric; they are the canvas upon which your event's unique story unfolds. So, as you embark on your event planning journey, remember that choosing the right linens isn't just about aesthetics; it's about creating lasting memories and leaving your guests with a lasting impression. Happy planning, and may your events be adorned with linens that truly elevate the experience! If you have any questions or need assistance in selecting the perfect linens for your upcoming event, feel free to reach out to us – we're here to help you turn your vision into reality.