The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations

Wedding table settings can vary greatly, but a few main elements can generally be expected: Every guest will need utensils, a napkin, drinkware, and dishes to eat off of. While each piece of the puzzle is important, plates are often the first thing guests will notice, considering that they take up the most space, and are what place cards and menu cards typically sit on. So, although plain-white options are readily available, you may want your dishes to pop a little more. If you're hoping to capitalize on your table's design potential, your plates are a great place to start.

To help you get inspired for your own celebration, we've rounded up some of the prettiest place settings we've seen at weddings and related events. Formal, casual, classic, nontraditional, bright, muted, pattered, solid—whatever you consider the style of your dreams, you'll find it in this list. For seamless, cohesive tablescapes, choose one look to copy for your own special day. Or, for a more eclectic affair, you can mix and match your favorites.

If you have other details—like your centerpieces—picked out, click through for ideas that'll complement them. Alternatively, use the dishes that catch your eye as a launching point for the rest of your décor search! If you're not sure how to incorporate plates into the broader scheme of your party, show a planner the ones that tickle your fancy and create a game plan together. Then, once the wedding's all done, consider keeping a set for you and your spouse—dishes this lovely deserve to be repurposed.

This wedding's place settings featured alternating middle and bottom dishes.

Floral plates were especially seasonal at this springtime wedding.

Classic china is always a timeless option—this wedding's dishes were no exception.

This bride wore a patterned wedding dress, and selected dinnerware that would match. "I wanted a design that would playfully tie into the vibrant colors of the gown," she shared.

These gorgeous purple chargers looked lovely beneath floral plates.

Textured white plates dressed up this reception's wooden tables.

Odd Mom Out's Abby Elliott chose a selection of mismatched vintage china for her reception, which reflected the day's lighthearted mood.

These patterned plates were beautifully refined.

Floral plates sat atop uniquely-rimmed chargers at this wedding. How dreamy and romantic!

These fun, festive plates were from Target! Who knew gorgeous dinnerware could be so affordable?

The peachy-pink plates at this reception went well with the napkins and centerpieces.

Nature-inspired patterns are always eye-catching, as these botanical plates went to show.  

Ornate dishes, like this textural set, always look perfectly polished.

We love how these gold-rimmed dishes contrasted with wooden chargers.

This eclectic tablescape featured a range of unique dishes, from translucent pink plates to floral ones.

Classic Party Rentals provided these blue splattered plates, which went with the wedding's campy enamelware mugs.

These "Emerald Vine" Lomoges plates were from The Ark.

The place settings—from the figurines to the plates—were wonderfully whimsical at this wedding planned by Italia Celebrations.

This bride collected "Blue Willow" china for her reception.

Supremely-sweet blooms patterned these pretty plates, which were chosen with the help of planner Sara Carboni.

At Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead's wedding, guests dined off of one-of-a-kind dishes, including butterfly-patterned plates and bold, blue chargers.  

These seafoam-hued plates sat pretty atop clear, gold-rimmed chargers.

These The Ark chargers, which were rimmed with golden vines, were absolutely ethereal.    

These matching plates and chargers were colored a soft, hazy blue.     

At this reception, china from the venue rested on industrial-chic cement chargers from Buena Tile + Stone.

Pink and red are gorgeously romantic—they combined beautifully on these warm-hued plates. The table settings were planned by Brenda Babcock.

Gold is such a celebratory color—it was used creatively in these place settings.

These gold-rimmed dishes were exquisitely simple.

Various plates were used at this anniversary party. We're especially sweet on this deep-green dish.

These yellow-and-white plates were casually cool.