Creative Wedding Table Decoration Ideas: A Literary Twist

Looking for wedding table decoration ideas that are a little different from the usual flowers, candles and table numbers? Here’s one you might not have considered: books.

Not just books stacked in the corner for decoration, but actual novels used as table names and centrepieces. It’s a simple idea, and one that can bring a surprising amount of colour and character to your wedding tables.

At a wedding I photographed at Norton House Hotel in Mumbles, South Wales, Eve and Ryan did exactly that. They named seven guest tables after books, placed a copy of each novel on its corresponding table and surrounded them with colourful dried flowers. And their choice of reading material was anything but predictable.

Seven Books, Seven Wedding Tables

Instead of Table One, Table Two and Table Three, guests were greeted by a seating plan featuring titles such as Interview With The Vampire, Moby-Dick and Wuthering Heights. There was also The Secret History, The Master and Margarita, The Great Gatsby and Cat’s Cradle. Not exactly a collection of traditional love stories!

What I particularly liked was that the books weren’t just names printed on a seating plan. Each one had a place on the table itself, becoming part of the decoration.

A Simple Idea with Plenty of Personality

If you’re looking for a simple wedding table decoration idea, this one is hard to beat. All you need is a book, a vase of flowers and a little imagination. And because book covers come in all sorts of colours and designs, every table can look slightly different while still following the same theme.

At Eve and Ryan’s wedding, the brightly coloured dried flowers worked especially well alongside the covers. Some books were dark and dramatic. Others were colourful or illustrated. Together, they made the tables feel connected without making them look identical.

You Don’t Have to Choose Romantic Books

Here’s another thing I liked about their idea: the books didn’t have to be about love. After all, Moby-Dick isn’t exactly a cheerful romance, and Interview With The Vampire probably isn’t the first title you’d expect to encounter at a wedding breakfast. But that’s part of the fun.

If you’re considering book-themed wedding table decorations, there’s no reason to limit yourself to romantic novels. You could choose books that mean something to you, stories you’ve enjoyed together or simply titles that make you smile. And if your favourite book happens to involve vampires, an obsessive sea captain or a rather troublesome black cat, why not?

Make the Books Part of the Table, Not Just the Display

One thing worth considering is how the books will look once everyone sits down. At this wedding, they weren’t displayed on empty tables in a perfectly arranged showroom. They sat among wine glasses, bottles, plates and guests enjoying their meal. And they still looked great.

That’s worth remembering when you’re looking for creative wedding table decorations. You don’t necessarily need an elaborate arrangement that takes up half the table. Sometimes one interesting object, combined with flowers and a little colour, is enough. It also leaves plenty of room for the important things. Like dinner.

Could This Work for Your Wedding?

Absolutely. And you don’t need seven tables or seven books to try it. For a smaller wedding, you might only need three or four titles. You could use books you already own, borrow copies or look for interesting editions in second-hand bookshops.

A few things are worth thinking about:

• Choose books you actually like. There’s no need to select famous classics just because they look impressive.
• Make the table names easy to find. A clear seating plan will help guests work out where they’re sitting.
• Think about the colours. Book covers can work beautifully with flowers, table linens and other decorations.
• Keep the arrangements practical. Guests still need space for their plates, glasses and conversations.

And don’t worry if the books don’t match perfectly. Sometimes that’s what makes the whole arrangement interesting.

The best wedding table decoration ideas aren’t necessarily the most expensive or elaborate. Often, they’re the ones that feel personal. Eve and Ryan’s tables are a lovely example of how something as ordinary as a book can become part of a wedding celebration.

And if you’d like to see how it all looked beyond the tables, their wedding at Norton House Hotel in Mumbles had a few other unexpected details, too.