Planning for Tablecloths and Servers for Your Wedding

Part of the Wedding Planning For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Tablecloth sizes and the number of servers you need sound like mundane decisions for wedding planning. But the tablecloths and servers at your wedding reception can make a difference. After all, the right table coverings contribute to the overall effect you want to achieve, and having enough servers to carry food and drink can prevent a dining room disaster. Following are recommendations for both essentials:

Tablecloth Sizes
Table Diameter	Floor-Length Cloth
60 inches	120 inches
54 inches	114 inches
48 inches	108 inches
36 inches	96 inches

The ratio of servers to guests varies according to where you live and how formal your wedding is, but the following table offers suggestions for various types of receptions:

Number of Servers
Type of Service	Recommended Number of Servers
Formal, multi-course meal	One to two waiters per 10 to 12 guests.
Simple menu or buffet	One waiter per 25 guests.
Pre-dinner cocktails	One bartender per 50 to 75 guests, combined with wine passed by waiters.