Wedding Decoration Tips: How to Hire the Right Size of Tablecloth

Wedding Decoration Tips: How to Hire the Right Size of Table Cloth

A common irritation for brides when planning their wedding decorations is to not be provided with a floor length table cloth to cover the banqueting tables. Many brides don’t like the fact that you can see the legs of the table especially if that table is not in the best of condition.

The simple way to avoid this problem is to hire or rent a table cloth that drops to the floor. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to add a touch of style to your wedding décor.

If you’re not in the banqueting industry then it is highly probable you’ll be unsure which size of table cloth you actually need so here’s a quick primer and useful calculator to use which will make your life much easier.

Floor Length Table Cloths

Traditionally, banqueting table cloths were three quarter length for practicality and there was only a choice of white! However, with the variety of colours, patterns and fabrics now available, the practicality of simply covering the table isn’t the most important factor anymore.

Now it’s about how the table cloth can enhance the look of your tables and add to the overall styling of your wedding. Floor length table cloths are perfect for adding a touch of class or elegant look to your wedding decorations.

Table Cloth Size Calculator

Many people get confused when calculating the size of table cloth they need. For a 6 foot round table you will need a 132” round table cloth if you want it to drop to the floor perfectly at all sides. How do you calculate this? There’s actually a really simple formula for doing so:

1. Make sure you know the height and width (diameter) of the table to be covered. The standard height in the events or banqueting industry is usually 30”.

2. To calculate the drop of the table cloth, simply subtract the width of the table from the width of the table cloth. In this example, a 6’ table = 72” diameter. 132”-72” = 60”. You then divide the difference by 2 to give you the drop on all sides = 30”. And voila, your table cloth will be floor length all the way round.

On a 5’ round table you would need a 120” table cloth and a 108” will be floor length on a 4’ round table.

Similarly, a 120” round table cloth on a 6’ table will drop 6” from the floor, i.e. 120”-72” = 48”/2 = 24”. Subtract the 24” from the height of the table and you’re left with a table cloth that falls 6” above the floor.

The Most Common Round Banqueting Table Cloth Sizes

132” round table cloth

A round 132” table cloth fits a 6ft table perfectly, with the edges gently resting on the floor. If you were to use this on a smaller table, simply tuck in the edges to give it a neat puffball effect.

You should be able to comfortably fit 10-12 guests on a 6ft table depending on whether you use a base or charger plate, i.e. more guests if you don’t use a base or side plate.

130” round table cloth

Similar to the 132”, it will drop approximately 1” from the floor on a 6ft table.

120” round table cloth

A round 120” cloth fits a 5ft table perfectly, with the edges simply resting on the floor. It you were to use this on a 6ft table, it would come to approx ¾ of the drop to the floor.

You should be able to comfortably fit 8-10 guests on a 5ft round table depending on whether you use a base or charger plate, i.e. more guests if you don’t use a base or side plate.

118” round table cloth

Similar to the 120”, it will drop approximately 1” from the floor on a 5ft table.

108” round table cloth

The 108” will be floor length on a 4ft round table. It can also be used as an over cloth and this is a great way of bringing in an accent colour to your table design especially if you’re using more than one colour in your wedding decorations.

You should be able to comfortably fit 6-8 guests on a 4ft round table depending on whether you use a base or charger plate, i.e. more guests if you don’t use a base or side plate.

96” round table cloth

The 96” table cloth will be floor length on a 3ft round table. The primary use for a 96” cloth is for a 3ft round cake table at a wedding, where the table cloth will be floor length. Also use 96” rounds as an over cloth with either a 132" or 120” cloth underneath like in the example above.

Table Runners

A table runner is usually rectangular and is the perfect way to accessorise your table design and add an extra splash of colour to your wedding decorations. They are extremely versatile and can be used on round tables and circular tables.

Perhaps the best use though is on the top table at your wedding reception. By using a different colour runner for the top table, you can enhance the design of this most important of tables

Trestle tablecloths

Trestle cloths are designed for rectangular tables which are often used as serving stations or for the top table at a wedding reception. It is however, becoming more popular to seat wedding guests at rectangular tables as some say it encourages more guests to converse. Here are the most common sizes:

88” x 144” Rectangular Table Cloth

Made to fit a 6ft x 2.5ft standard trestle table. It will be floor length the whole way around the table. If you are butting trestle tables together and don’t want an unsightly join down the middle, you could ask your supplier for a bespoke cloth to fit the run of tables, or a runner to hide the join.

70” x 144” Rectangular Table Cloth

This common size can be placed on the table to be floor length on three sides, making it ideal for servers to store things underneath if they are using it as a temporary bar.

70” x 108” Rectangular Table Cloth

The 70” x 108” is similar to the 70” x 144” but will be off the floor on all sides assuming a standard 6ft trestle table is being covered.

54” x 54”, 70” x 70” and 90” x 90” Square Table Cloths

These table cloths are another, yet more traditional way, to create diamond shapes on trestle and round tables to add an accent colour.

This article was written by Marc Samuels, Director of 88 Events, Glasgow UK. 88 Events aka The Event Design Experts design and plan high-end and couture weddings so you can have your dream wedding just as you always imagined. Visit 88eventscompany.com for more info.