The Secret To Elevating Your Wedding Day Design:
The Importance of Choosing the Right Linens
Do LINENS really matter? Are linens really worth the investment?
One of the most important design details I find that is most commonly overlooked are linens. If you think about it, linens cover the most square footage in the room and play a significant role in pulling your entire design together. I thought sharing my favorite inexpensive linen (that photographs beautifully) and tips on how to elevate your wedding day design would help give our brides a place to start.
“An elevated linen will help customize your wedding day decor, enhance your vision and create an immersive experience for your guests”
VISION
The amount of time I took finalizing the design direction for my own wedding was endless. As you can tell from my venue design at St James 1868 I'm a black, white and taupe kind of a girl. My husband is Indian and Indian weddings are very colorful so incorporating both of our backgrounds was very important to us. Color is outside my comfort zone but my linen selection was quite educational and I had so much fun mixing patterns and adding texture. It reminded me of my textile design classes when I studied abroad in London. With our love for travel we both agreed on a European inspired Reception and the linen choices were a reflection of our travels. So here are a few learnings from my own personal design experience that I hope you find time-saving and helpful.
DESIGN
In India, my husband's name "Neil" also means "blue" so this played a role in why I chose the BBJ La Travola "Velvet Artic" blue linens as an accent color to all the pink florals. We decided to go with a "sweetheart table" however the same thought process works for a "head table" for the wedding party depending on your desired layout and guest count. Velvet, satin, linen, or lace all evoke different feelings and can make your design feel more luxurious. Incorporating the Artic Velvet linen on key tables throughout the room added not only visual interest but a tactile opulence warmth to our reception design as well.
Sweetheart table or head table - This is where you can have some fun! If nothing else I highly recommend choosing an accent linen for your sweetheart table or head table. (On a side note this would also be a place I would invest in a floral statement piece.) Think about how many photos will be taken in this location vs the rest of the room. The investment is worth it plus you get to enjoy it throughout your dining experience and after all the hard work and time you've spent planning over the past year you deserve it!
60" Square tables - I added 4 square tables to my floor plan, one in each corner of the room and placed them in a diamond to mirror the diamond black and white dance floor located in the center of the room. On these 4 tables I used a satin/ velvet baroque patterned linen called Celeste Ivory by BBJ La Travola to give a subtle Royal vibe.
8"x40" banquet side tables - For the tables located outside the pillars I used my favorite Oatmeal Shantung Linen by Windy City. This neutral tablecloth allowed our floral arrangements and table settings to pop, while the textured linens in the middle of the room added depth to my design. This was a great budget friendly alternative however the power of texture with the combination of satin, velvet, and pattern all evoked different feelings that made the design feel more luxurious. Also note the 40" width is 10" wider than a standard banquet table giving space for decor, pace settings and a family style reception.
FLOOR PLANS
There are so many decisions as part of your wedding planning that if one linen helps simplify your planning process and you decide to choose one linen for the entire room it will be beautiful! For our Royal Couples that enjoy the design process and want to spend time curating a design I recommend starting with your floor plan first. My favorite part!
THE ABBEY
THE HYDE
“Linens cover the most square footage in your venue and play a significant role in pulling your entire design together.”
SCROLL THROUGH FLOOR PLAN EXAMPLES BELOW
MY FAVORITE NEUTRAL LINEN
OATMEAL SHANTUNG : (Reversible) Linen by Windy City
Don't be fooled by the "oatmeal" name, this linen photographs beautifully I would describe it as a champagne not as oatmeal. Shantung Satin (Revertible) linen is a silk-inspired fabric that has a lustrous finish and texture. It is a 2-sided fabric with a medium satin finish on one side and a matte finish on the other side.
The KEY! Make sure it is satin (shiny) side up! I can't say it enough, this satin finish photographs beautifully!!!
*Windy City Linens are ordered through our exclusive caterers so all you need to do is let your caterer know you want this linen shiny side up!
“Think about how many photos will be taken at your head table vs the rest of the room. Choosing an accent linen in is worth the investment!"
At St. James 1868 we continue to elevate our rental inventory to give our couples tools to create their dream design.
We have a collection of round tables (36"m 48". 60". 72"), rectangular tables (8'x30", 8'x40", 6'x40"), square tables (60" square/ included with the dance floor rental), and wooden kings tables (one of our most popular rentals) designed from the church pews using reclaimed wood to keep a bit of our history. Please work with our Venue Manager on inventory and availability of each item.
As part of your floor planning process you will be working with our Venue Manager on your desired floor plan. Rest assured our manager will assist you in helping guide your decisions not only for your desired design when selecting tables but comfort and accessibility for your guests as well. If you want to take some time to review floor plans prior to the meeting I encourage you to check out our Royal Couples Galleries for inspiration.
I hope my wedding day experience selecting linens gives helpful insight that linens are not just a practical necessity but a critical part of a wedding’s overall design. I encourage you to have some fun and invest time selecting a linen to elevate your design and transform your wedding day décor from ordinary to extraordinary!
