Linen and Table Setting Guide for Events

A bare table is functional. A dressed table is inviting. Linen is what turns rented tables into a styled reception — it introduces colour, texture and a sense of occasion. Well-chosen linen ties together your colour scheme and elevates even the simplest venue.

Quality matters: linen should arrive laundered, pressed and free of stains. At Delightful Events, every piece of linen is washed, ironed and inspected before it goes out.

— Tablecloths: The base layer. Should drape to the floor or to within a few centimetres of it. Available in a wide range of colours.
— Overlays: A square piece of fabric placed diagonally over the tablecloth in a contrasting colour. Adds a second colour layer.
— Table runners: A strip of fabric running down the centre of the table, over the tablecloth. Popular on long rectangular tables and increasingly on rounds.
— Napkins: Folded at each place setting or tucked into glassware. Matching or contrasting with the tablecloth.
— Chair covers: Fitted covers that hide the chair underneath, with a sash or bow in an accent colour.
— Chair sashes: Tied around the back of a chair (with or without a cover) to add colour.

Browse our linen range in the catalogue to see available colours and styles.

Start with your event's colour scheme — usually two or three colours. Use the primary colour for tablecloths and a secondary colour for runners, napkins or sashes.

White and ivory tablecloths are the safest base — they work with any accent colour and photograph cleanly. Bold-coloured tablecloths (deep red, navy, emerald) make a strong statement but need to be balanced with neutral centrepieces.

If you are unsure, ask your hire company to suggest combinations. We can show you fabric swatches or photos of previous setups in similar colour schemes. For more on colour coordination, see our wedding decor ideas guide.

A complete table setting for a sit-down event includes:

— Tablecloth (floor-length)
— Runner or overlay (optional)
— Napkin at each place setting
— Dinner plate, side plate, dessert bowl (as needed for the menu)
— Cutlery: dinner knife, dinner fork, dessert spoon (adjust to the course count)
— Glassware: water glass, wine glass (red and/or white as needed)
— Centrepiece
— Table number

For a buffet-style event, you may only need a plate, cutlery and napkin at each setting, with the rest of the service ware on the buffet table. Our catering equipment hire guide covers the full service ware checklist.

For tablecloths: one per table, plus a few extras in case of spills during setup. For napkins: one per guest, plus 10 per cent extra. For chair covers and sashes: one per chair.

Make sure you specify the table size when ordering tablecloths — a cloth for a 150cm round table will not fit a 180cm round table properly. Your hire company needs to know the exact table dimensions to supply the right size.

At Delightful Events, we match linen to the tables you are hiring, so you do not need to worry about sizing. Request a quote with your full list and we will match everything for you.