table covering dilemma

Casey2be

I need some help and i'm hoping some of you super-savvy brides can give me some advice! 
our reception venue is providing tables and chairs, but no linens. the chairs are really pretty nice, and since we're on a budget, i immediately tossed out the idea of chair covers.  i looked into linen rentals, but even plain white ones are about $15 each for the 90" (which i think we'll need at least that big for the 72" round tables)...  I just cannot spend $300 on tablecloths that i'm RENTING!! so i had (what i thought was) the brilliant idea to cover the tables with white butcher paper, like they do at some restaurants (macaroni grille, crab shack, etc) and leave colored markers and boxes of crayons on the tables for people to draw on the tables.   so, two questions:   -1- is this a dumb, lame idea?  cause i kinda think it's cool, and if guests write cute messages to us, or draw something cute, we can clip it out and include it in the wedding collage.   but will i change my mind when i see my gorgeous venue with paper covered tables?    -2- so far, the widest rolls of paper i've been able to find online are 36"... meaning we'd have to use at least three strips on each table...  i was thinking about laying one down each side, parallel to each other, with several inches between them to create some overhang on the sides,  tape them down in the center, and then the third strip of paper to cover the space, tape and overlap the other two strips a bit... (is this making any sense?)   i'm worried about the paper obviously not hanging properly over the edges of the tables, so i thought if that's a problem, we could tape that part to the bottom of the tables.     any feedback/thoughts on this?  ever seen anything like it done or have any advice for doing it better/making it work?

MyNameIsNot

What style of wedding are you having?  I could see it being really cute at a casual event, but looking really cheap at something more formal. 

You could look into buying linens.  Even if you spent the same or more, you could turn around and sell them to another bride after the wedding and make back some of the budget.

gottahavashorti

If it's a pretty casual wedding it could be fun.  Based on what our local UPS store and Kinko's carry in stock for oversize printing, I think 36" is probably the largest you'll find.  I'm having trouble picturing the setup you're talking about, though.

ManyPenguins

If you're having a more formal affair...maybe you could check into just buying a couple bolts of plain cheap fabric and having somebody sew the edges so they don't fray. Totally easy. But as PP said, if your wedding isn't super formal, I say go for the paper and crayons idea. I remember once when I was about 10, I went to a wedding where they had their tables covered with white paper...and me and my friend started drawing on it and leaving the couple our well wishes. As the evening went on people noticed and kept coming over to add things to it. The bride was THRILLED and actually cried she was so touched...and she made sure it was saved at the end of the night. For years after that any time I saw her, she would proudly tell me that she still had it, and thank me for giving her such a special memory. So I really think if you go with that option you will not regret it. I will say though...use crayons and not markers. You do not want markers ANYWHERE in the building when you are wearing your wedding dress. ;o)

trix1223

completely depends on the style and formality of your wedding.  If you're having "dressy" attire for guests, formal wear for your WP (tuxes, suits, gowns, cocktail dresses), floral centerpieces, plated dinner, then I think paper on the table would be jarring.

However, if people are wearing casual clothing, and you're going for a more, for lack of a better term, picnic-ish feel, then the paper would be okay.

You mention a beautiful venue, so I'm thinking you might want to steer away from paper.  And you'll probably need to check with the venue about whether they'd even permit markers to be spread around.  Markers near walls, carpets, white bride dresses aren't always compatible.

fairy_diva

Honestly, just buy the covers. You didn't say how many tables you were covering, but you can do it cheaper and then resale & make some of your money back.  Try www.linentablecloth.com or their ebay store, same name

Price:

www.linentablecloth.com
white 90" round  (will give you a 9 inch drop on the sides on a 72" table)

20   ---  $151.02  free ship

white 108" round  (will give you an 18" drop on the sides)

20 ---- $191.70  free ship

You can resell these on trash to treasure or eBay and get back some of your money.  Much better than renting & throwing away $300.

It just depends on what kind of look you want.  If you are spending a lot of money to have a nice venue, do you want to skimp on the table covers?