How to choose a wedding table runner

By Wedding Offshore Team

A table runner is one of the simplest ways to make a plain table look planned. It gives your centrepieces a base, brings colour to the room and can hide marks on a table. To choose well, start with your tables, then decide on a material, a colour and a length. This guide takes you through each step, with the practical questions to ask your venue before you buy.

Start with your tables

Find out what you are dressing:

The shape of each table, such as round, rectangular or long banquet style
The size, including length and width
What your venue provides, such as tablecloths, linen or napkins
Whether the tables will be covered, or left bare

Ask your venue for the table sizes and a layout plan, and write the measurements down. A runner chosen without these is a guess, and a guess can leave you with something too short, too narrow or the wrong shape.

Does a runner suit your tables?

Runners suit rectangular and long tables best, because they run along the length. On round tables, a runner is less common, so think about alternatives:

A runner laid across the table, if you want a stripe of colour
A circular topper or centre cloth
A ring of greenery or a mat for the centrepiece to sit on

If you have a mixture of tables, you can use a runner on the long ones and an alternative on the round, in the same colour or material so they look related.

Choose the material

Each material changes how the table feels:

Cotton or linen. Natural, simple and easy to iron. A good everyday choice.
Satin or polyester. Smooth and formal. They tend to catch the light, and they can crease.
Lace. Soft and traditional. It works well over a plain cloth, where the cloth shows through.
Hessian or burlap. Rustic and textured. Good for a relaxed, natural look.
Paper. Simple and disposable. It can be a good choice for a casual wedding or a large number of tables.
Greenery. A runner of foliage laid along the table, which needs setting up as late as possible.

Think about how the material looks next to your plates, glasses and napkins, because they will all be seen together.

Choose the colour and pattern

Colour is where a runner does most of its work. A few guidelines:

Pick a colour that already appears in your flowers or decorations, so the runner ties them together.
If your tablecloth is plain, a patterned runner adds interest. If the cloth is patterned, keep the runner plain.
Check contrast. Your centrepieces should stand out from the runner, not disappear into it.
Consider the room. A dark runner in a dark room can look heavy, and a pale one in a bright room can look washed out.

Order a sample or a single runner and put it on a real table, with a plate and a glass, before you commit to a batch.

Work out the length and width

You have two main options:

A runner that hangs over each end, which gives a formal, draped look
A runner that stops short of the ends, which gives a neat, contained look

Measure your table and decide which you prefer. For width, a runner should leave enough table on each side for guests to set down plates and glasses, so ask yourself whether there is room for a place setting on each side. If you are not sure, lay a strip of paper the same size along a table and set a plate on each side.

Check what your venue provides

Before you buy, ask your venue:

What linen do they provide, and in what colour?
Can you add your own runners over their cloths?
Who will set the runners out, and when can they start?
Is there a charge for using your own linen or having it laundered?
Do you need to take everything home at the end of the night?

Write down the answers, and keep them with your supplier details.

Buy, borrow or hire

Compare the options for your table count:

Buying gives you something to keep, and is often the cheapest when you need only a few.
Hiring can suit larger numbers, because someone else deals with washing and storage.
Borrowing from family or friends costs nothing, but you will need to get it back to them.
Making your own from fabric by the metre can save money if you have time and a way to hem the edges neatly.

Whichever you choose, count your tables first and add a spare.

Look after them

Check the care label before you buy and again before the wedding. Wash and iron or steam the runners in good time, because creases are very visible on a long, flat table. Fold them loosely to carry them, and keep them away from damp and from anything that can stain.

You can see a range of styles in our table runners, and our centrepieces show what could sit on top. If you want to see more of the room, our table decorations are a good place to start.

Mistakes to avoid

Ordering without measuring the tables
Choosing a colour you have not seen next to your other decoration
Forgetting that the runner must not hide the table number or centrepiece
Leaving it too late to wash and iron
Not checking the venue's rules on using your own linen

Next steps

Measure your tables, choose one material and one colour and put a sample on a real table with a plate and glass. For ideas on what to put on top, read our guide to budget wedding centrepiece ideas, and for the numbers that go with them, read about wedding table number ideas.

Asked and answered

How long should a table runner be?

It depends on your table and your taste. You can let it hang over the ends for a draped look, or stop it short for a neater one. Measure your table and test a strip of paper first.

Do I need a tablecloth under a runner?

Not always. A runner can sit directly on a clean table, or on a cloth. Ask your venue what they provide, and check what the table looks like without a cloth.

Can I use a runner on a round table?

You can, but it is less common. You could lay it across the table, or use a circular topper or a mat instead. Choose what looks best with your centrepiece.

How many runners do I need?

One for each table that will have one, plus a spare or two. Count your tables first, and check with your venue whether the top table needs something different.