Small Details, Big Impact: How to Elevate Your Guest Tables with Simple Styling
When it comes to wedding decor, the guest tables are where your guests spend the most time—eating, toasting, chatting, and soaking in the atmosphere. And while grand centerpieces often get all the attention, it’s the small, thoughtful details that truly make a table feel elevated and unforgettable.
You don’t need to blow your budget on over-the-top florals or custom rentals to create something beautiful. A few intentional styling elements can completely transform a space. Here are three of our favorite ways to add polish and personality to your guest tables without going overboard:
1. Tea Light Votive Candles: Instant Warmth & Romance
There’s just something about candlelight. It softens the entire room, creates depth on the table, and makes everything feel more intimate and inviting. Whether you're going for cozy and rustic or elegant and refined, tea light votives are a universally flattering touch.
Why we love them:
Budget-friendly and easy to scale across tables
Adds movement and sparkle, especially in low light
Complements any floral or linen style
Pro tip: Group votives in sets of 3–5 at varying heights for visual interest, or tuck them between bud vases and florals for a layered, romantic look.
2. Charger Plates: Polished, Pulled-Together Place Settings
Chargers are one of the easiest ways to give your table settings that “finished” look. They instantly elevate even simple dinnerware, adding texture, color, and structure to each guest’s place.
Why we love them:
Creates a beautiful base for your dinner plates and napkins
Adds a touch of luxury without a huge investment
Comes in endless styles—metallic, wood, rattan, acrylic, ceramic—you name it
Pro tip: Choose a charger that complements your table linens and floral palette. Even a subtle pop of texture or shimmer can make the whole table feel more cohesive.
3. Table Runners: The Foundation of Your Tablescape
A well-chosen runner adds softness and visual direction to your table—whether it’s laid clean and crisp or left to drape organically. It helps tie all your design elements together and defines the space for your centerpieces, candles, and tableware.
Why we love them:
Adds color, texture, or pattern without covering the whole table
Anchors your decor and helps everything feel intentional
Works for round, rectangular, or banquet-style layouts
Pro tip: Layer your runner with candles, bud vases, or greenery for a rich, dimensional look. Don’t be afraid to go a little longer than the table for a romantic trailing effect.
Final Thoughts: It’s All in the Details
You don’t need extravagant decor to make your reception feel beautiful. It’s the thoughtful, intentional details—like flickering candles, a beautiful place setting, or a runner that anchors the entire look—that your guests will actually remember.
When done well, these small touches don’t just make a visual difference—they make your guests feel cared for, welcomed, and immersed in your story.
Want help designing guest tables that feel beautiful and intentional from top to bottom?
I’d love to help you create a floral and decor plan that brings your vision to life—no matter your style or budget.
📩 Reach out here or follow along on Instagram for more tips & inspiration!
Talk soon!
Nicole
