FANDANGO Catering Offers Guide to Sizing Event Linens

If you will be hosting an event this fall and are considering using one or more tablecloths (or "linens" as they are called in the events profession), no worries! Here is a quick and easy basic guide to what you need to know.

If the event is at a venue--99.5% of the time you will need linens as venues use ugly banquet tables or hospitality "rounds" (round tables with removable tops). The three basic sizes you need to know are:

*6'--8' rectangular banquet tables: Use a 90" x 156" tablecloth, which will cover down to the floor--for a 6' table it will be a little longer but you can tuck it under or puddle it quite attractively. Or if you don't want to tuck or puddle use a 90" x 132"

*72" round: Usually used for wedding cake tables--Use a 132" round cloth

*60" rounds: A popular size used mainly for seating guests at an event--Use a 120" round cloth

If your event is at a private home--Private home events have a variety of table sizes but some guidelines to keep in mind are:

*Dining table--These can vary greatly in size but a 90" x 156" works for most oval and rectangular dining room tables. You can also use a 132" round if you have a very long oval table. With private home parties it's not as imperative that the linen go to the floor as usually the dining room table's legs aren't ugly as in a venue. If you decide to use a linen to the floor, it gives a lusher, more elegant look, and if your cloth is a little long you may tuck it or puddle it. If you do, take a minute and view the table with the linen from the entrance door to make sure it looks even, not too long on one side or another. Do this anyway when you use a tablecloth at an event.

*If you have a particularly nice dining room table you may wish to use a lace or cutwork cloth so that the table shows through or a runner to add color or elegance.

*If you use a chafing dish or if your table is expensive or if you have sauces or beverages that might drip you should use a cloth to avoid anything marring the table.

*If you use an odd-size table such as a medium-sized round table, whether as an auxiliary table or as your buffet table (my aunts did this a lot when I was growing up), the best sizes are 108" round or 114" round.

*If you use a banquet table for a home event (such as for a beverage station or for additional seating), use a tablecloth to cover the legs (to the floor).

Remember, in general, if a linen is a little long you can always tuck or puddle it. And if you use hospitality-type tables with industrial-looking legs you will want to cover the legs completely.

Warmly,

Kristina

Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.

Partner, Director of Sales & Operations

FANDANGO Catering

(713) 522-0077

(281) 796-9841