Wedding Place Setting

LET’S TALK Place Settings!

Make it count

If you don’t have the budget to turn every guest’s place setting into a work of art, don’t hesitate to upgrade where it counts. Simplify your place settings for the majority of tables, but do your sweetheart table or king’s table up to the nines. After all, your table is the focus of not only your guests’ attention, but the vast majority of your photos. Don’t hesitate to go the extra mile for yourselves. After all the work you put into making this wedding a beautiful one, you deserve to dine at the table of your dreams.

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Add a pop of color.

Colored chargers are a great place to start. Chargers are larger plates not intended for food, rather the dinner plates sit on top of the chargers. Their main purpose is to add to the visual effect of the table. Two other easy ways to give your place setting a boost are napkins and glassware. Consider choosing a napkin color that reflects your wedding palette. Or, if you have the budget, swapping plain glasses for colorful vintage goblets is an easy way to bring some lovely life to your place settings.

First, what is a place setting? It’s the table-top set of plates, cutlery, glasses, napkin, and more provided to a guest at a meal. Why are place settings important? For starters, they hint at what’s to come. A salad plate indicates that greens are imminent, and a champagne glass lets guests know complimentary bubbles are on the menu.

Place settings also make a table look lush and elegant, especially when crafted with thoughtful consideration. There are lots of layers that can go into a place setting. It might be bare bones with just the necessary plates, forks, and glassware. Or you might take it to an artful level by mixing in paper goods and three-dimensional flourishes. Here are some ways to approach place settings for your wedding. Make the most of your basics. Your caterer will have an inherent need for certain types of plates, cutlery, and glassware. These may be provided by your venue or by the caterer themselves. Ask to see a sample of the plates and glasses in question. If you’re not loving the style, ask about alternatives. It’s possible you could upgrade. Bring this same critical eye to your table cloths, since choosing a patterned or textured cloth can make a big difference.

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Go for extra oomph

Once you’ve curated all the basics of your place setting, it’s time to think about any extra-special touches. Things like sprigs of greenery, fresh blooms, or dried slices of citrus may not add anything functional to your place settings, but they add a dash of elegance and eye-catching beauty. You can also consider how your centerpieces mingle with your place settings, as floral arrangements, candles, and table numbers all add to the aesthetic of a table.

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Layer items thoughtfully

First, consider the basics: plates, napkins, and cutlery. You can display these items the traditional way with the napkin, fork, and knife to the right of the dinner plate, or you can get creative with it. You might tie the napkin into a pleasing shape and place it on top of the plate. If you have seating cards, you might place these on the plates as well for added visual depth. If you’re sharing other paper goods with your guests, such as printed menus, consider the placement of these as well.

FINDING THE RIGHT VENUE

things to consider

Finding the right venue is easy if you keep in mind what is most important to you! Here are some suggestions on where to start.

Your place of worship

For many, this is where the ceremony will occur. Some have parish halls or community centers where they can host the reception after the ceremony. Keep in mind that alcohol is probably not allowed on the property. So, even if you want a little sip of champagne to toast the couple, you’ll have to go elsewhere.

Hotels

Because of their size and all they offer, hotels can do everything for the wedding from the smaller meeting spaces for the bridesmaids’ luncheon to the grand ballroom that holds hundreds of people. You can have both your ceremony and reception in one convenient location. Plus, the guests have a place to stay and they don’t have to worry about driving in an unfamiliar city.

Restaurants

For those couples that love great food, individual service, and an exceptional wine list, this is ideal. Usually the chef can prepare foods that are your favorites even though they are not on the menu.

Country or Private Club

Many private and country clubs allow for non-members to have their wedding at the facility. Like a hotel, you have the convenience of an experienced and qualified kitchen, bar and serving staff, and a club staff member to help.

Antebellum Home, Lodge, Boutique Hotel - many couples want a place that is quaint with a hint of romance maybe with historic value or a story. Some offer full service with in-house catering and a coordinator. Others let you choose your wedding professionals, usually from a preferred vendor’s list. Many of these venues offer both inside and outside areas for the ceremony and reception. And they have spaces for large tent set-ups, too.

Home or Friend’s Place

Here you have complete flexibility with no stipulations or “have to’s”. Your costs may rise because you may have to rent or buy everything from seating for the guests at the ceremony to tables and chairs, plates, glasses, flatware, lighting, staging, dance floor, generator, bathrooms, and more for the reception.

Park, Beach, Museum, Zoo

Like a home wedding, you can choose your vendors in these one-of-a kind settings. And like the home weddings, you are probably going to have to provide everything. In addition, in a public place, a permit may be required, with a small fee, to use that area. Remember, because it is public, there’s a good chance you’ll have prying eyes and uninvited guests.

Destination Weddings

Many brides choose destination weddings. Some go within driving distance. Others jet off to tropical islands. And still some choose a foreign country maybe with ancestral roots. Destination weddings are usually much smaller requiring friends and family to travel at their expense. For the bride, it can be less stressful because many resorts and hotels have a coordinator that puts everything together for them: the officiant, photographer, musicians, flowers, cake, ceremony, reception. All the bride and groom have to do is show up.

As seen in The Bridal Guru msbridalguru. com. Have a question about your wedding? Email ask@msbridalgurur.com

BE A GRACIOUS BRIDE

make it a great day for everyone

You may have heard the expression. “It’s your day, do it your way.” While this is true, it’s also easy to take this concept too far. Here are a few tips about being a gracious bride:

UNDERSTAND YOUR GUESTS’ PERSPECTIVE. Awkward gaps of time or long distances between locations are difficult for guests. Try to craft your day’s schedule with the guests in mind.

JUMP ON THOSE THANK YOU NOTES. Guests look forward to hearing if you liked their gift! Write a personalized note and respond as quickly as possible.

GIVE OTHERS GRACE. Know that weddings are an emotional time for your close relatives and friends, and there can be unexpected emotions such as grief or anxiety. Give them grace and, maybe, a warm hug. B

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RECEPTION GAMES

Wedding reception games are a great way to keep your guests entertained while you are being photographed before the reception or as they wait for food! Some games are also a fun way for your guests to get to know you and your partner a little better!

Couple Mad Libs

Create a Mad Libs-style template for your guests to fill out at their tables for marriage and love advice. This is a wedding game guests can do alone, or the whole table can get in on the fun, sharing their tips on how to keep the romance alive, fun ideas for “married dates,” and other words of wisdom.

Bride and Groom Trivia

Create a list of trivia questions for each guest to fill out at the table. Have a member of the wedding party collect and read the cards to determine the winner. The guest with the most correct answers wins!

I SPY

Place a disposable camera on each guest table with a list of special moments to capture. Each group will have a different shot from their perspective. Some examples could be the first dance, “cheers,” table selfie, or just let them choose! You won’t know what you end up with until you take the cameras to be developed!

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PERFECT FOR PERFECT FORPERFECT FOR

Weddings WeddingsWeddings Rehearsal Dinners Rehearsal DinnersRehearsal Dinners Showers ShowersShowers EXPERIENCE OUR EXPERIENCE OUREXPERIENCE OUR

Private banquet facilities Private banquet facilitiesPrivate banquet facilities Homemade cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients Homemade cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients Homemade cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients EXTRAS INCLUDE EXTRAS INCLUDEEXTRAS INCLUDE

Outside Digital Marquee for Wedding Photo Outside Digital Marquee for Wedding Photo Outside Digital Marquee for Wedding Photo Complimentary Cake Cutting Complimentary Cake Cutting Complimentary Cake Cutting Large Dance Floors Large Dance FloorsLarge Dance Floors Screens with Projector Screens with ProjectorScreens with Projector

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Table Seating Guide

48” round TABLE

Recommended Seats: 6 Space per Person:

Approx. 28”

Tablecloth Size:

90” Round (21” drop) 108” Round (to the floor)

60” round TABLE

Recommended Seats: 8 Space per Person:

Approx. 25.5”

Tablecloth Size:

90” Round (15” drop) 120” Round (to the floor)

72” round TABLE

Recommended Seats: 10 Space per Person:

Approx. 25.2”

Tablecloth Size:

108” Round (18” drop) 132” Round (to the floor)

6’ rectangular TABLE

Recommended Seats: 8 Space per Person:

Approx. 25.5”

Tablecloth Size:

60” x 102” (15” drop) 90” x 132” (to the floor)

8’ rectangular TABLE

Recommended Seats: 10 Space per Person:

Approx. 25.2”

Tablecloth Size:

60” x 102” (15” drop) 90” x 132” (to the floor)

Signage SHOW ME THE WAY!

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Selecting a RECEPTION

SITEAsk the Right Questions! !

• May I see photographs of other receptions held here? • Where will we have access? Are there restrictions? • Is there ample parking for guests? • Do you provide a sound system, AV or PA system? • Are there any restrictions on decor, photography, videography, smoking or bar service? • Will you provide valet, coat check, restroom, bar and door attendants? • Is there an onsite caterer? Are we required to use him/her? • Are there adequate restrooms that are handicap accessible? • Are there adequate electrical outlets for the entertainer? • Could other events be scheduled the same day? • Is there a certain time when we must leave? • How far in advance must I book your services? • What is your cancellation policy? • Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?

Bring your family & friends home to Genitti’s on your wedding day.

• Weddings • Showers • Rehearsal Dinners • Full Service Catering • Dinner Theater

108 E. Main St., Northville 248•349•0522

www.genittis.com