Is this idea cute or useless

SBmini

I am having a very colorful, whimsical wedding with lots of citrus tones and just general boldness and fun. I come from a family of sewers. I thought it would be great to make custom cloth napkins for guests out of beautiful patterned fabric that is within my color family. Coral paisley, pink on pink damask, geometric shapes with grapefruit and tangerine, and so on. My grandmother, aunt and cousin all have sewing machines with the ability to monogram as well. So I could easily put names on each napkin. These would then serve to add color to the table, as place markers, and as a favor for guests.

Here's my question... is it worth it? I'm not sure if guests would appreciate monogrammed linen napkins as a gift. It will cost me about $400 ($2.60 per place setting) to do this plus some hard work from myself and my family. My venue provides linens (and they have them in my colors too) so I won't be forgoing any costs. I figure I save some money by removing the need for place cards, but that's a small cost. Maybe I'll add some candy or something small on top of the napkins to round out the favors.

manateehugger

SBmini said:

I am having a very colorful, whimsical wedding with lots of citrus tones and just general boldness and fun. I come from a family of sewers. I thought it would be great to make custom cloth napkins for guests out of beautiful patterned fabric that is within my color family. Coral paisley, pink on pink damask, geometric shapes with grapefruit and tangerine, and so on. My grandmother, aunt and cousin all have sewing machines with the ability to monogram as well. So I could easily put names on each napkin. These would then serve to add color to the table, as place markers, and as a favor for guests.

Here's my question... is it worth it? I'm not sure if guests would appreciate monogrammed linen napkins as a gift. It will cost me about $400 ($2.60 per place setting) to do this plus some hard work from myself and my family. My venue provides linens (and they have them in my colors too) so I won't be forgoing any costs. I figure I save some money by removing the need for place cards, but that's a small cost. Maybe I'll add some candy or something small on top of the napkins to round out the favors.

I know how to sew the basics. Monogramming 100+ of individual napkins sounds like a time-consuming nightmare.

Honestly - it's a waste of time and money. What the heck am I going to do with ONE napkin with my name on it? If you gave me a set of four napkins with a monogram on it, ok I could work with it. But one that's in a colorful pattern that I might not like or might not match my other table linens? Nope - I'm going to take it home and shove it in my dish towel drawer.

Place cards can be virtually free if you want them to be. Put the $400 toward food favors, more apps, bigger alcohol selection, etc. That's what people remember - not a monogrammed napkin.

SBmini

We're inviting full families, so people will get sets, but I appreciate your opinion! I definitely don't want to waste time for something people don't appreciate.

samwise1127

While I think it sounds like a really cute idea I think it would totally fall flat with your guests.  I'm afraid that it would be a waste of your resources and time even though I think I can see the whimsical nature you're going for.  I'd look at other ways to have fun and do the multi-color part that would be less stress, work and money on your part and that your guests would get more enjoyment out of. 

AddieCake

I don't think people will appreciate them as much as you would like them to. 

itzMS

So people are supposed to use the linen napkins with dinner...and then take them home dirty?

DH and I have one set of cloth napkins. We've used them once for a Valentine's Day dinner. We only do laundry 1-2 times a week (which I think is pretty standard), so we'd still need to buy paper napkins or paper towel.

SBmini

Yes, you guys are right. I'll forgo the custom linen. Maybe colored macaroons instead?? We have a slight travel undertone too, but I can't think of a good way to bring that in inexpensively. 

QueerFemme

I think macaroons in little bags are a great idea.  I am glad you reconsidered the napkins... I really think most of them would end up at the goodwill or tossed at some point.

MobKaz

SBmini said:

Yes, you guys are right. I'll forgo the custom linen. Maybe colored macaroons instead?? We have a slight travel undertone too, but I can't think of a good way to bring that in inexpensively. 

I would love macaroons.  However, I have seen people with travel "themes" suggest luggage tags as favors.  They could also be used in "double duty" as escort cards.  I think the price point on them is fairly reasonable.  

SBmini

^ That's a cute idea! Thanks

msdds51

You could also get colorful passport covers.

daniroth

I think it's a really great idea. It's up to you if you're willing to put in all of that work

MuppetOverlord

 

SBmini said:

Yes, you guys are right. I'll forgo the custom linen. Maybe colored macaroons instead?? We have a slight travel undertone too, but I can't think of a good way to bring that in inexpensively.