Fine China May Be Out on Your Registry, but It's in on Reception Tabletops—Here's What You Need to Know About This Colorful Wedding Trend

The practicality of registering for fine china has been called into question over the last few years, so it may come as a surprise that fancy dinnerware is—wait for it—officially trending at today's coolest, most thoughtfully designed weddings. There's a likely reason for this interesting shift: As more and more couples focus on expressing individuality and storytelling through their big-day design, simpler details have fallen to the wayside. At wedding receptions, for example, clean and white plates and chargers have been the de rigueur look for years—but recently, it seems like every well-appointed wedding has a patterned china plate in its place. 

From meaningful toasts to a multi-course dinner, your guests spend so much time at your reception tables, so it’s only natural that they reflect your personality and tastes. You can easily up the personal level through color and pattern—and intricate plates are a great way to bring both to the table (pun intended). In a lot of ways, though, this emerging trend is just the tip of the iceberg that is modern-day maximalism: “A huge trend for 2024 has been layering different patterns on a single table top or space," says Dani Blasena, a wedding planner and the founder of HauteFêtes. "We’re seeing couples mixing patterned china with patterned table linens and even patterned stationery that pairs neutrals like stripes with bolder decorative patterned china in florals, geometrics, and colorful designs, too.”

Below, Blasena and Melissa Williams of B Astonished Events share everything you need to know about modernizing your tablescape with patterned china, from trending dishware brands and advice on mixing and matching to identifying the perfect china pattern for your reception. 

Why Patterned China Is Trending at Wedding Receptions

For years, minimalist white plates were the dishware of choice on wedding tablescapes. These days, that influence seems to be waning. “Couples are growing bored of the ‘social-media ready’ wedding in classic neutral colors that fit neatly into a 9:16 frame. Instead, they are itching to express their individuality and what they love. In some ways, people are doing this with pattern,” explains Blasena.

Williams notes that the specific trend of patterned china seems to extend from European culture. “The use of patterned plates, especially in formal settings like weddings, comes from many different historical sources. I received numerous Italian wedding inquiries, and as we started expanding our services into Europe, it influenced me to be braver and riskier with design,” she says. As the tradition of using patterned plates continues to evolve over time, new designs and patterns emerge to reflect changing taste and aesthetics, giving couples plenty of inspiration, she adds.

As for where this trend stands now? Blasena has noticed three distinct themes when it comes to patterned china at wedding receptions. “First, there's maximalism, where pattern on pattern and color reign supreme. Second, there's romance and nostalgia, where candlelight plays with traditional patterns such as florals or ticking stripes. And finally, there's quiet luxury, where high-end furnishings meet patterns and colors that are timely. Think residential textiles, such as linen, mixed with heirloom silverware or interior-grade furnishing rentals,” she explains. 

Trending China Brands and Patterns to Use at Your Wedding Reception

Right now, couples curious about color and pattern have lots of options to choose from. Not only are wedding tabletops changing, but their sources are, too. According to Blasena, some textile designers are taking note and iterating on their patterned offerings for both home décor and wedding rental wares. “European brands Carolina Irving and Daughters and Esencial Hogar are taking their textile designs and expanding those lines into home goods and tabletops,” she says. 

We have a few observations of our own: As seen in our Real Weddings, flora and fauna patterns are on the rise. These days, Lacroix’s butterfly patterned china and Richard Ginoir’s chinoiserie and other designs that call on animals, birds, or whimsical portraits reign supreme. Schumacher’s painterly wares also work well with the nostalgic, romantic themes you'll see at Old-World or garden-inspired weddings. And it's not just us—Blasena has noticed these brands being picked up by more and more wedding rental companies. “In the United States, Theoni has built on this strategy with their furnishings, tabletops, and linen lines. Speciality china rentals such as Casa de Perrin, The Ark, Small Masterpiece, and The Tabletop Company have embraced residential tabletop brands and continued to build their inventory,” she says. 

Perhaps the greatest source of all, though, is a couple's own taste and imagination. These days, whatever you can dream up seems to be right on trend. “I love seeing more of my couples’ personalities in wedding design—nothing is more bespoke than creating a design that is inspired by my couples themselves,” says Blasena.

How to Choose the Right China Pattern for Your Wedding Reception  

Utilizing pattern inherently expresses individuality, but widening the net to include multiple colors and designs can be overwhelming. Paying attention to trends can help—but ultimately, picking a pattern is personal. You want to like it (now and 50 years from now), but it also needs to fit the vibe of your wedding. First and foremost, understanding your vision is key. From there, you can go as loud or as pared back as you’d like. “Choosing a patterned china plate that aligns with a couple’s wedding vision involves considering several factors to ensure it complements the overall theme and style they wish to convey,” affirms Williams. Here are some elements to consider, according to our experts.

Identify Your Wedding Theme and Style 

“Whether it’s classic, modern, rustic, vintage, or themed (such as garden, bohemian, or beach), the china patterns should harmonize with this aesthetic,” says Williams. For a garden-inspired wedding, for example, Blasena recommends a more romantic and traditional set of patterns, chintzes, and stripes. “Revival patterns also work well with abundant florals on the tabletop,” she adds. 

Consider Your Color Palette

“China patterns should either match or complement the colors chosen for the décor, flowers, and other elements,” says Williams. If you’re working with a base of neutral colors like white or soft pastels, you have more versatility in terms of your china's color scheme.

Determine Your Party's Level of Formality

Your event's formality level and dress code should be taken into account, too. “Elaborate and detailed patterns may be more suitable for formal affairs, while simpler designs or contemporary patterns work for modern or casual weddings,” says Williams.

Look to Your Personal Tastes and Preferences 

“Do you prefer traditional florals, intricate designs, geometric patterns, or something more minimalist? The china pattern should reflect your tastes and resonate with you personally,” explains Williams. One easy way to take an immediate snapshot of your personal aesthetic is by looking around your home—or at least other people's or interior designers' homes that you love. “Couples are looking to bring a more residential look and feel to their weddings with elements that feel collected—an iconic table lamp, a favorite framed print behind the bar, a custom table linen," says Blasena. "They’re drawing inspiration for wedding furnishings from home décor lines like Kelly Wearstler or Jenni Kayne, for example.” She notes that the maximalist approach in interiors pairs fun and busy patterns with bold basics to tie a space together. “Weddings are following suit—and tablescapes leading the way,” she says.

Draw Inspiration From Your Venue

As with every other big-day detail, the patterned china you choose for your wedding should feel harmonious with the locale. “If you have a venue that is more modern architecturally, you can have fun with geometrics and textures and play with scale and color to add visual impact, such as a graphic dinner plate or charger with a solid napkin,” suggests Blasena.

Don't Be Afraid to Mix and Match

Mixing different china patterns on the same tablescape is a major trend right now. This lends a casual, collected vibe and creates a lot of fun contrast and a dash of playfulness—when done correctly, of course. To maintain a cohesive look, stick to the same size and genre, such as dainty florals, vintage prints, or the same pattern, just in varying colorways. It should feel like a mix of dishware within the same family. 

Mixing china and linen patterns, on the other hand, is another way to interpret this trend and will help your wedding reception feel unique and refreshing. Just remember the rule of scale, Blasena advises. “If you are working with a large print in your china, go smaller in pattern scale with your table linen such as a stripe, subtle plaid, or dot, and finish it off with a solid for your napkin,” she explains. 

How to Design a Wedding Reception Tablescape With Patterned China

Once you’ve chosen a pattern that fits your venue, vibe, and overall preferences, linens and glassware are next. For a rich and varied, but cohesive tablescape, focus on complementary colors, contrasting textures, and simple glassware.

How to Pick Complementary Linens

When choosing these other elements, you can let the china pattern dictate your color scheme and work from there (this will pull your tabletop together)—or, if know you also want a patterned table linen, you can let that pattern lead the way. “If your linen is bold, pick a color from it to inspire the color of your china and lean into that with a solid napkin," she says. "If your linen is neutral, allow the china to sing and pull a color from your china pattern for your napkin.”

Remember that contrast can add so much richness and aesthetic harmony. “If the china pattern is intricate or detailed, opt for a smooth and simple linen texture to create a balanced contrast. Conversely, if the china is minimalist or modern, a textured linen like damask or linen can add depth and interest to the tabletop,” says Williams.

How to Pick Complementary Glassware

Both our experts agree that any glassware you pair with a patterned plate can be upgraded—but it should be largely uncomplicated and budget-friendly. “Typically, I like to keep glassware simple so that you can enjoy a red or white wine in a clear-stemmed glass. But, if you’re into layering, add a touch of whimsy with a fun water glass in a pattern or color,” notes Blasena.

Are White Ceramic Plates Out at Weddings?

Though white solids do seem to be taking a backseat to bolder patterns, couples may still be drawn to clean white lines and simple ceramic plates—and there’s nothing wrong with that. Classic and timeless contenders are always on trend. If a more neutral aesthetic fits your wedding vision, there are a few contemporary updates that will help white plates feel fresh. “We are seeing more organic lines of white china–Vietri, for example—where tone on tone pattern is replacing the all-white solid,” says Blasena. In addition to organic lines, Blasena encourages couples to focus on various textures for dimension. If you prefer simple, but aren’t dead set on white, earth-toned ceramic solids, like the offerings at Heath, carry a similar clean feel and are still very much on trend.