The Prettiest Place Settings from Real Celebrations
Get inspired by beautiful tableware, from dinner plates to chargers.
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Photography: Elizabeth Messina Photography
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.
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Photography: Ashley Sawtelle2 of 32
Alternating Dishes
This wedding's place settings featured alternating middle and bottom dishes.
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Photography: Abby Jiu Photography3 of 32
Floral Plates
Floral plates were especially seasonal at this springtime wedding.
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Photography: Joseba Sandoval Photography4 of 32
Blue China
Classic china is always a timeless option—this wedding's dishes were no exception.
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Photography: Love, The Nelsons5 of 32
Intricate Plates
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.
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Photography: Ben Yew6 of 32
Purple Chargers
These gorgeous purple chargers looked lovely beneath floral plates.
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Photography: Ashley Sawtelle7 of 32
Textured Dishes
Textured white plates dressed up this reception's wooden tables.
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Photography: Corbin Gurkin8 of 32
Complementary Plates
Odd Mom Out's Abby Elliott chose a selection of mismatched vintage china for her reception, which reflected the day's lighthearted mood.
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Photography: Lacie Hansen Photography9 of 32
Gold-Leaf Dishes
These patterned plates were beautifully refined.
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Photography: Caroline Tran Photography10 of 32
Muted Plates
Floral plates sat atop uniquely-rimmed chargers at this wedding. How dreamy and romantic!
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Photography: Jenny Haas11 of 32
Festive Dishes
These fun, festive plates were from Target! Who knew gorgeous dinnerware could be so affordable?
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Photography: L. Hewitt Photography12 of 32
Pink-Rimmed Plates
The peachy-pink plates at this reception went well with the napkins and centerpieces.
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Photography: Corbin Gurkin Photography13 of 32
Leaf Plates
Nature-inspired patterns are always eye-catching, as these botanical plates went to show.
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Photography: Kayla Barker14 of 32
Elegant Dishes
Ornate dishes, like this textural set, always look perfectly polished.
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Photography: Tec Petaja15 of 32
Wooden Chargers
We love how these gold-rimmed dishes contrasted with wooden chargers.
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Photography: Lydia Jane Photography16 of 32
Mismatched Plates
This eclectic tablescape featured a range of unique dishes, from translucent pink plates to floral ones.
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Photography: Lexia Frank Photography17 of 32
Speckled Plates
Classic Party Rentals provided these blue splattered plates, which went with the wedding's campy enamelware mugs.
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Photography: Bryan from For the Love of It18 of 32
Green-Leaf Plates
These "Emerald Vine" Lomoges plates were from The Ark.
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Photography: Magnus Bogucki19 of 32
Detailed Plates
The place settings—from the figurines to the plates—were wonderfully whimsical at this wedding planned by Italia Celebrations.
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Photography: Laura Dart20 of 32
Navy Blue China
This bride collected "Blue Willow" china for her reception.
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Photography: Marta Guenzi21 of 32
Flower-Rimmed Plates
Supremely-sweet blooms patterned these pretty plates, which were chosen with the help of planner Sara Carboni.
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Photography: Sally Pinera22 of 32
Butterfly Plates
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.
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Photography: Michael + Anna Costa23 of 32
Green-Blue Plates
These seafoam-hued plates sat pretty atop clear, gold-rimmed chargers.
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Photography: Corbin Gurkin24 of 32
Leaf-Rimmed Chargers
These The Ark chargers, which were rimmed with golden vines, were absolutely ethereal.
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Photography: Samantha Kirk Photography25 of 32
Light-Blue Dishes
These matching plates and chargers were colored a soft, hazy blue.
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Photography: Lavender and Twine26 of 32
Cement Chargers
At this reception, china from the venue rested on industrial-chic cement chargers from Buena Tile + Stone.
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Photography: Sandra Åberg Photography27 of 32
Red-and-Pink Plates
Pink and red are gorgeously romantic—they combined beautifully on these warm-hued plates. The table settings were planned by Brenda Babcock.
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Photography: Belathée Photography28 of 32
Patterned Plates
Gold is such a celebratory color—it was used creatively in these place settings.
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Photography: Michael Radford29 of 32
Gold-Rimmed Dishes
These gold-rimmed dishes were exquisitely simple.
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Photography: Sierra Solis Photography30 of 32
Mixed Plates
Various plates were used at this anniversary party. We're especially sweet on this deep-green dish.
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Photography: Gideon Photo31 of 32
Colorblocked Plate
These yellow-and-white plates were casually cool.
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Photography: Angga Permana32 of 32
Clear Plate
Classy, clear plates at this glam wedding showcased the lacey tablecloth underneath.
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