What Colour Tablecloths for a Wedding?

Written by: Samantha Johnson

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Time to read 9 min

When it comes to planning wedding decorations, the devil is in the details. To make your event truly special, you have to get all the minor details right. One of the most important decisions in this regard is the colour of tablecloths.


Tablescapes are important in wedding planning because that’s the part of the wedding decor that your guests will interact with the most. Except for short breaks to dance and socialise, wedding guests will spend most of their time around the tables.


That’s why everything from the glassware to the cutlery has to be spot on. But most importantly, you have to pay attention to the linens on the table because it is the baseline for the room’s décor. The linens on your wedding banquet table set the tone for the tablescape and maybe even the rest of the wedding decor. That’s why choosing the best wedding table linen colour is such an important decision.

In this article, we’ll answer the question of what colour tablecloths are best for a wedding, and how to choose the most beautiful tablecloth colours that align with the specific theme or feel of your wedding. 

Are Tablecloths Still Fashionable?

First off, do you even need tablecloths at your wedding? Before you start brainstorming on the right tablecloth colour and other details, you have to determine if you want to have linens on your banquet tables in the first place.


The popularity of tablecloths at weddings tends to fluctuate over time. Sometimes, it’s all the rave and other times, it’s not so popular. But the truth is tablecloths are never truly out of style. In fact, many wedding planners, decorators, and couples recognise the charm that tablecloths add to the wedding tablescape.


In most cases, the tablecloth is the most important wedding linen and most of the other decor colours revolve around its colour. Consequently, tablecloths are absolutely necessary, even though they’re not compulsory. With the right tablecloth, you can personalise the colour scheme for your event, add some level of formality or just make the table light up with vivid colours.


Regardless of the style or theme of your wedding, there’s a vast array of tablecloth colours available to meet your needs. Whether you’re going for a traditional set-up or a modern minimalist look, the right tablecloth can help create an inviting and captivating setting for your wedding venue. You just have to consider the aesthetic you hope to achieve and choose a linen colour that aligns with the overall colour palette of your wedding.


Both plain and patterned wedding tablecloths are still very much in fashion. These days, it is even possible to have tablecloths custom-made for your event. Customised linens can add a sense of style and sophistication to your event while evoking a sense of uniqueness because they’re specifically personalised for you. 

What Is the Best Colour for Tablecloths?

When it comes to choosing tablecloth colours for your big day, you’ll find that there’s no single “best colour”. Different colours evoke different feelings, which means your colour options are basically limitless. While some colours evoke a sense of relaxation and create a chill ambience, others make you feel warm and cosy. The best tablecloth colour depends on the ambience you hope to create with your event.


For instance, white is one of the most popular colours for table linens, but it is mostly appropriate for formal dining. You may also opt for off-white or ivory colours instead of regular white linens, if you prefer warmer tones.


In contrast, black tablecloths are not very popular for weddings. But that does not mean you cannot use them at all. In fact, black tablecloths are the perfect statement piece for wedding events if you’re aiming to standout. The rarity creates a sense of luxury and sophistication, which can elevate your decor if used correctly.


In summary, choosing the best tablecloth isn’t about any specific colour. Instead, you have to think about your guests and how you want them to feel on your wedding day. Then you can choose the perfect colour that aligns with that and fits neatly with the rest of your decor. 

How Do I Choose a Wedding Linen Colour?

Your wedding linens tie all the other decorations together. Consequently, choosing the right one is crucial. Considering the many potential options available, selecting tablecloth colours can be a tricky process. No colour is wrong in itself. The most important thing is how your choice of colour fits in with the rest of the wedding decor. Here are some basic guidelines that’ll help you pick the most suitable wedding tablecloth to achieve your dream wedding look. 

Themes and Décor

The overall theme of your wedding will have a huge impact on what colours you can use for individual decor pieces. This is why you have to choose linen colours that align with the theme of your event so the tablecloth doesn’t end up looking like a hurriedly selected afterthought.


If you’ve settled on a vintage theme, for instance, a hot pink tablecloth will not align with the rest of your decor. Instead, you’ll do better with ivory or pale pink linens. Similarly, if you’re opting for an outdoor Italian wedding, you can choose reddish-violet or baby-pink linens. The lesson here is that you must figure out how to tie in your linen colours with your overall theme so everything feels complete and well put together. 

The Venue

Unless your wedding venue is a completely empty space, no wedding decor starts on a blank canvas. There will be existing elements in the party venue that can influence your choice of colour. Even if the venue is an outdoor space, it’ll probably be surrounded by green foliage or have the sandy beach and the sea as its background. Considering the existing elements at your wedding venue is a good starting point for making other venue design decisions.


Think about what you currently have at the venue and pick linen colours that accentuate that. For instance, if your venue is a regal castle with formal decorative elements in its interiors, your linen colours should also be formal and sophisticated. Similarly, if you’re having an outdoor event, natural colours will be ideal. Blue and green hues for instance, will pair perfectly with outdoor beach weddings.


Even the existing lighting of your wedding venue will have a notable impact on the shades of table linen you choose. This is particularly true for wedding venues, where you cannot change the lighting arrangement to suit your specific colour decisions. In this case, you’ll have to pick colour shades that align with the existing lighting in the space. 

Consider the Accent Colours

Most people often find it easier to pick accent colours even when they have no idea of what the primary colours will be yet. Accent colours are usually metallics such as silver, gold, or platinum. If you’ve selected an accent colour for your decorations and other table placements, you can use it as a guide for the primary colour of your table linen.


Simply pick colours that complement or enhance the selected accent colour, and you are good to go. For instance, neutral or warm colours tend to complement silver or rose gold accents perfectly. Similarly, if your accents are gold or blue hues, then you should go for ivory, white, or champagne colour for the tablecloth. 

Consider the Season

Your wedding colours don’t necessarily have to match the season of the year. However, one of the ways to simplify your colour choices is to simply go with a seasonally appropriate colour. It saves you the stress of figuring out individual colours for your decorative elements. For instance, all-white table linens are ideal for winter weddings. You can also use other strong opulent colours, such as shades of blue, emerald green, purple or red, since they align with the Christmas season too.


Spring decorations are often greens and yellows, while summer weddings are often characterised by bright vibrant colours such as hot pink or sunny orange. For an autumn event, go for cool earthy colours such as brown or grey to reflect the season.


Beyond seasonal colours, you can also look at what’s on trend in the wedding decor world. Consider the colour of the year or the hottest colours for the season and pick long table decor pieces that align with these to keep your wedding trendy and on point. 

What Colours Are Appropriate for a Wedding?

No matter your wedding theme or decor style, there is a vast array of linen colour options to choose for your long wedding table. Choosing the right tablecloth colour for your wedding banquet table sets the stage for a memorable dining experience for wedding guests. So what colours are most appropriate for wedding linens? Here are a few ideas you’ll probably love.

Choose White for Elegance and Simplicity

White or beige are classic wedding linen colours and they’re perfect if you want to keep things simple. In addition to the minimalist appearance of this colour, one of the best things about white linens is that they can blend easily with other colours. This means you won’t have to worry about matching your table colour with napkins, chair bows, centrepieces, and other accessories. White also works for all seasons and creates an elegant look for any wedding theme.

Be Bold With Cobalt Blue

Cobalt blue is a vibrant colour that can add a touch of drama to your wedding reception. It’s a neutral colour but stands out against other shades of centrepieces and accessories. This means it can be used to anchor pretty much any tabletop arrangement. Cobalt blue is quite versatile too and can fit into different colour palettes. For instance, you could pair it with gold or silver accents for a formal wedding or use it with white or ivory accessories for casual events.

Go for Gold

It’s hard to go wrong with gold, especially if your wedding is happening in an ornately designed building with a sophisticated theme. Gold-long wedding table coverings will add to the opulence of the event. The colour also matches pretty well with the metallic colours of the chairs, cutlery silverware and other decorative elements.

Bright Hues for Outdoor Weddings

Bright hues of green are perfect for open-air or outdoor garden weddings. To achieve a cohesive look, pair this tablecloth colour with bright floral arrangements. Accent colours that pair well with this linen colour include brown wooden chairs, white napkins, white plates and other neutral colours. For sea or lakeside ceremonies, try bright blue hues because they align perfectly with the colours of your waterfront venue.

Fun Patterns

Add a Pop of Pink

Pink is a very versatile colour. It can be used to create a romantic, soft, or playful atmosphere at your wedding depending on the shade you pick and your style choice for the rest of the decor. Brighter shades of pink, such as coral or watermelon, add an energetic vibe to your reception, which makes them ideal for informal events. Lighter pinks can also be used to create the perfect fairytale wedding when you combine them with the right shade of flowers. 

Texture Is Important

Beyond colour, an extra long table decor selection tip that can elevate your tablescape is to infuse texture in your tablecloth choices. This can be achieved by picking linens and fabrics with a textured appearance such as embroidered linens, sequined tablecloths and ruffled fabrics. The play of light and shadow on these textured fabrics adds an extra sense of depth that makes them visually intriguing. 

Combine Different Colours

When it comes to picking wedding linen colours, no rule says you have to settle for one. If you feel confident enough to pull it off, combining multiple hues can be an effective way to bath your wedding venue in beautiful colours that will keep your guests intrigued. It could be as simple as layering two linens with similar hues or throwing an ombré-themed event with multiple shades of colours. Just make sure the different colours you choose complement each other and create a consistent design. 

Conclusion

In summary, in choosing what colour tablecloths for a wedding, there’s no single straightforward answer. The right colour for your event depends on several factors, such as the overall theme, venue, season, and personal preferences.


The most popular and arguably the most versatile table linen you can consider is white tablecloths. However, there are plenty of other alternatives you can explore such as bold blue colours, earthy tones or neutrals, bright green hues and even patterned or customised tablecloths.

At the end of the day, your personal preference will determine your choice of table linen. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and make bold choices if you need to. As long as it speaks to you and aligns with the rest of the decor, it’ll most likely work out just fine.