The Most Commonly Used Engagement Party Reception Linens

When planning an engagement party, there are a lot of factors to consider but the most important one is the décor. Think about the last engagement party that you went to, what was the first thing you noticed? It was the décor, right? Out of all the décor essentials, the fact is, it’s the linen that carries a long-lasting impression. People will always remember the set-up of the tables.

Choosing the right linen for an engagement party’s reception is not that difficult. Whether it’s for yourself or someone else, all you have to do is focus on the theme. Think about what you want it to say about the couple that’s being celebrated.

To help make your job simpler, we’ve put together a guide with the most commonly used engagement party reception linen ideas.

What is reception linen anyway?

Reception linen is all the cloth that’s utilized in the reception area. From tablecloth and chair covers, to table runners and napkins. There are various types of linen fabrics, colours, and patterns to choose from. Choosing these is entirely dependent on the theme of the reception, the type of venue, and the size and shape of tables you’ll be using for that particular reception.

The types of linen fabrics

Here are some of the most common types of reception linen to consider for your engagement party reception:

Polyester

Polyester fabric is made from polyester fibres. It’s synthetic in nature, but highly durable, reusable, and resistant to wrinkles and stains, which is why it’s a popular choice for events.

Sequins

This fabric is commonly made from plastic or metal shaped pieces. It’s a colourful fabric that can stretch (or not) depending on the materials used.

Satin

Satin is made from silk or synthetic polyester. Synthetic polyester satin is durable but requires delicate care. It has a shiny finish that’s perfect for events like indoor engagement parties.

Damask

Damask linen fabric is traditionally made with 100% silk. It’s more versatile and easier to style. This type of fabric is made of satin and plain weaves. It has a soft and silky texture and can be reversible too. Damask is delicate and requires gentle care and handling, especially when you’re washing or ironing it.

Cotton

Cotton is a trendy choice for most engagement and wedding receptions. It’s made from 100% cotton. It’s soft on the touch and durable. This type of material is also very absorbent, so it soaks up stains and it’s prone to wrinkling.

Burlap

Burlap is a very coarse eco-friendly fabric made from Jute natural plant. It’s a versatile material that you can personalise to fit your needs. Table runners and tablecloths made from burlap are just as popular as satin and sequin at receptions.

Lace

Everyone is familiar with lace fabric, because it’s the most commonly used type of material for table linen. It adds sophistication and romance to any reception.

Tablecloths

Each table at the reception requires a tablecloth. These typically come in a variety of sizes and in two shapes, round and rectangular. They also come in various colours and patterns.

Chair cushions

You can get as creative as you want with your chair covers provided that your chairs are not pretty on their own. But you must keep the same theme and colour palette as the rest of the linen. Everything has to match and complement each other.

Table runners

Runners add an interesting element to your reception tables. It gives your guests something beautiful to look at and draws attention to the centrepieces. If you’re willing to go all out, you can get customized runners, otherwise burlap and sequin runners are the popular choices for engagement reception.

Napkins

Linen napkins add a classier touch but many use disposable paper napkins. Whichever napkin you choose, you can make them interesting by personalising them. This adds more character to your décor.

Conclusion

The look of an engagement’s reception all comes down to the décor, especially the linen. People always remember how the tables and chairs were dressed. So, yes, the tablecloths, napkins, table runners, chair cushions and drapes are the core elements of the décor. You have many options to choose from, including satin, sequin, polyester, lace or damask. They’re all commonly used at engagement receptions all over the world. Plus, they come in various fabrics and colour. You can customize your linen to bring the vision you have for your engagement party to life, and there’s no better way to celebrate a beautiful union than with beautiful quality linen.