The Ingeniously Entitled ‘Table Numbers’

Well, what would you call a post that is dedicated to that oh-so exciting wedding detail, the humble table number?

Now I’m not ashamed to say that I do actually find this smallest of décor decisions pretty exciting. I mean, come on. We’re talking numbers… for the tables! Yeah yeah ok, table numbers are pretty dull and let’s face it, deeply unimportant when it comes to the epicness that is your Wedding Day, but if you (like me) are a ‘details’ person, then choosing how to differentiate your tables can be really rather fun.

Names or Numbers?

So I guess the first decision that has to be made is whether to name or number your beautiful tables?  I do enjoy a humorous and creative set of names, but for Paul and I there was nothing obvious to choose from.  Neither of us are particularly well-travelled so although it would have been quite funny to have our tables named after the glamorous towns of Colchester and Hull, I’m not sure if our guests would find our travel history less funny and more pitiful.  I also toyed with the idea of nicknames (we’ve racked up quite a few in the last seven years) but sometimes these sort of things are best kept private.  I once revealed to friends that Paul liked to call me the rather bizarre name of Bubba Squat Lobster, and now it’s rather unfortunately stuck. With a very unflattering mime impression to boot.

So we shall be sticking to numbers.  Numbers are classic, simple and much more aesthetically-pleasing.  Numbers can be big or small, subtle or bold, glittery or floral; the possibilities are literally endless.

But this is an inspiration post after all, so I’ve rounded up a few of my favourite ways to make the humble table number sexier than you ever knew it could be. Here goes…

Show me the pretty!

One of the cheapest ways to display your table numbers is to use the vessels that are already a part of your centrepieces. So stencilling the  numbers on to glass jars, printing out labels for your wine bottles or simply writing the number on to your jugs and pots using a suitable pen- as these images show. (The 2BSquared link has some handy hints as well!)

Image via 2BSQUARED

Image by Mike Larson Inc via Wedding Chicks

Freestanding numbers are also a really stylish way to number your tables.  You can buy paper maché numbers from most craft stores now and decorate them as you wish, like these numbers covered in glitter…

Image by Aaron Young Photography via Green Wedding Shoes

…or comic book paper!

Image by Ashley Rose via Green Wedding Shoes

For more rustic settings wooden blocks work well (you can make your own or buy from Etsy)…

Image via Cavallo Point

…or how about using old metal door numbers? Stylish and simple.

Image via One Wed

Picture frames provide a whole host of table number possibilities, as these images show:

Image by Troy Grover via Green Wedding Shoes

Image via Wedding Bee

And I love how this couple used fun photographs of themselves to add personality to their table displays:

Image via Carolina Weddings

Finally, think outside the box and get crafty.  Displays like these would certainly take a considerable amount of time and effort, but they get top marks for creativity!

Image by Next Exit via Wedding by Colour

Image by Hazelnut Photography via Style Me Pretty

The most BANG for my buck

‘So what are your table numbers like?’, I hear you cry.  (I don’t really, but for the benefit of this post I’ll pretend I do.) Well, as the day draws nearer I am finding myself becoming more conscious of my ever-diminishing budget, so I wanted to keep this detail as cheap as possible whilst still having a creative impact.  For a while I envisaged vintage metal door numbers salvaged from scrap yards and boot fairs and dipped in glitter… but in reality that was going to take way too much dollar, effort and eBay was proving too hit and miss.

In the end inspiration struck on a trip to Hobbycraft immediately after Christmas.  The papier maché aisle beckoned and I found myself snapping up 11 mini hanging picture frames and a can of chalkboard spray for the princely sum of £12.49.

The frames as I bought them- Image via Giggle Squiggle

Last Friday I was in a particularly productive post-Christmas mood so I braved the cold and gave them several coats of chalkboard paint before using a chalk paint pen to draw in the numbers.

I wanted it to look a bit like the writing you’d see on a pub chalkboard so I found a suitable font on t’internet and practised first of all with a calligraphy pen and sketch pad before having a go with the real thing.

The nib on the chalk pen was a lot wider than my calligraphy pen so the end result wasn’t quite as clean and defined as I would have liked… but I’m still pretty chuffed with the finished product.

What do you think?

My pub-style rustic table numbers.

The beer bottles are from a local restaurant which we have frequented far too often in the last couple of months (that’s only half of my stash!) and will contain flowers on the day, along with the glitter jars from this post– resulting in (what I hope will be) an eclectic mix of rustic-glam centre pieces and vibrantly-coloured blooms.

You like? (Please say yes.)

I’d love to know how you’re numbering/naming (or indeed how you numbered/named) your tables, so do share!

Sama xxx