Hotels and restaurants are the ideal venues for special occasions. In the case of restaurants, they offer the perfect dining area with an ideal ambience and, of course, meticulously prepared delicious food. As for hotels, these take this one step further, not only offering dining space and catering options, but also accommodation to any guests that are attending the event in question - making them ideal for enjoying the most out of an occasion.
Of course, for each of the events that these venues host, they will need to cater them to the preferences of the individuals it is organised for, which includes being flexible with the setting. This is where commercial linen hire can be extremely beneficial.
Read on below as we look in more detail at the ways in which table settings can be styled in different events and how linen hire can play a part in this to really tie together the different themes and corresponding formality of said occasions, as well as the benefits of hiring over buying.
Different Events that Could Benefit from Table Linen Hire
Weddings
When it comes to weddings, there are a multitude of theme and design options that can be opted for. It could be from traditional to boho, or anything in between; we’re going to explore the traditional route and give you some ideas on how this can be tastefully achieved and personalised to the couple getting married.
Firstly, the essential item you need that is the epitome of a traditional wedding is a crisp, white tablecloth. If the bride and groom aren’t a fan of the all-white aesthetic, then a more off-white colour such as champagne or buttermilk would still be subtle yet achieve the same elegant effect.
Then, it is a case of dressing up the tables. By using white, you have the perfect base to work with, since colour and texture can then be used to customise this. For example, if the colour palette of the wedding includes green or red as the focal accent colour, either of these could easily be incorporated by using coloured napkins or having foliage/flowers slotted into the napkin ring or in vases on the tables, or even coloured candles and ribbon tied onto the backs of the chairs.
Award Shows
Though some award ceremonies involve attendees sitting in rows of chairs facing the stage where the event and awards are presented, many will actually provide food and/or drinks during the ceremony, whereby guests are instead sat at round tables, which also allows them to socialise before, after and in between awards being handed out.
Since award shows typically take place in the evenings, then a more elegant theme would be the most fitting. For award shows that are more prestigious, then opting for red table linen to match a red carpet prior to the event will be in keeping with the theme of exclusivity. Alternatively, even black table linen can look chic and attractive in low-lit settings, and can aid in creating an atmosphere of class.
Name cards are also ideal for award ceremonies, as people will likely be arriving in specific groups that will be sat together. Of course, they may choose to switch seats with each other, however place cards are helpful for assigning and finding the right table so that people can be seated swiftly ready for the ceremony to begin. In addition to this, they also add a personal touch that makes people feel welcomed.
To intensify the atmosphere further, an alternative to using traditional candlelight on tables would be to use repurposed glass bottles filled with fairy lights. These present less of a fire hazard than candles, which could easily be knocked over by accident should someone have one too many drinks.
Speaking of drinks, since these are celebratory events, then a nice touch would be to add a bucket filled with a bottle of champagne and ice on each table along with champagne flutes, ready for the guests to enjoy when they first arrive.
Corporate Dinners
Since business dinners are typically professional, it is ideal for this to be reflected in the setting of the dinner itself. A simple yet sophisticated design is key. We think it is best at these types of events to have matching tablecloths and napkins - a biscuit colour would be best, as this appears sophisticated without being too distracting.
As for table decoration, since the attendees will all be adults and there will likely be restrained alcohol consumption due to the formality of the event, then it will be safe to include candles on the tables. We personally think votive candles or large pillar candles in jars look particularly effective and elegant.
Since there will usually be more than one course involved (either starter and main, main and dessert or all three), then the professional aesthetic, in this case, would be to set the table accordingly. This involves having the necessary cutlery, crockery and glassware in their specific placements, which you can read more about here.
The Benefits of Tablecloth Rental
Cost-effective
When decorating the setting for all the aforementioned events, the costs can add up when purchasing all the necessary decor. Of course, items such as crockery, cutlery and glassware will already be provided by the restaurant or hotel that is hosting the event - unless the organisers provide their own that they wish to be used instead.
However, all the additional decor can be costly if the only option is to purchase it, especially if it will be used for that specific event rather than reused for others. This is why it is much more cost-effective to find table linen for hire to use, rather than buying it outright.
By hiring your commercial linen, you can choose the amount you need in the desired colours and select the amount of time you require them for, which will all be factored into the final price that won’t eat heavily into your budget. This means that if your hotel or restaurant usually keeps a specific number of white table linen, for example, then should you temporarily need more or a different colour of tablecloth or napkins for a specific occasion, then this can be requested in your hire notice.
Laundry Services
Another benefit of hiring your commercial linen is that certain providers, such as Stalbridge Linen, will also offer laundry services to their customers. This leaves one less thing for you to worry about sorting, freeing up both space and time for your staff, who can focus their energy on other tasks and customer service, since the laundry will be taken care of.
Not only that, but you will have the reassurance that all the linen will be cleaned to an excellent standard and treated accordingly for any stains and finished so that it is returned in pristine condition.
At Stalbridge Linen, part of our first-class service involves our commitment to ensuring that we are as environmentally sustainable as possible. We’ve invested substantially in sustainable and efficient machines that reduce the amount of water, waste and energy used. When using our services, you will have peace of mind that your linen will be cleaned using green practices without any compromise on quality.
Consistency
Similar to how linen hire is a more cost-effective option, because it allows you to pick and choose the amount and colours of the linen you need, this also allows you to have visual consistency when catering for an event.
Rather than using your own linen and it not fitting in with the desired theme or not having enough linen in the first place, which can result in a lack of uniformity and unhappy customers, hiring your tablecloths and napkins means that you will have the exact amount and types that you need, thus ensuring that everything appears consistent according to the customers’ wishes.
Stalbridge Linen
If you're in the market for table linen and laundry services for your commercial business, Stalbridge Linen offers the quality linen for hire that you need.
With over 800 employees across six different locations in the UK, we’ve been providing linen hire and laundry services to our happy customers for over 40 years - you can rely on us to provide flawless service every time. From table line to bed linen and chefs wear to towels, we supply the quality products that your business needs.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today to learn more about the products and services we offer and for more information on how we can help you.