As a wedding planner and designer, I’m always on the lookout for unique items to personalize and uplevel my clients’ weddings. My go-tos are local consignment shops, Etsy, Serena and Lily, Pottery Barn, big-box retailers like HomeGoods, and of course, Amazon.
Amazon is my go-to for both practical items and finishing touches that will make your wedding a memorable one. It’s as easy as hitting “Buy Now” on my shopping basket (which is always brimming to the full) and that “just right” item will ship to my studio overnight. Consider this your curated list as I share eight of my favorite finds on Amazon for my clients’ weddings — which just might end up in your cart, too!
1. Wooden Serving Trays
How I use them: When I’m wedding planning, I love to find little ways to create cohesion across your event — and these wooden serving trays from Amazon are perfect for doing this from a catering standpoint! They’ll stand out more than the usual metal trays, which are non-descript and generally mismatched. To customize them, we work with our stationery designer to create branded paper tray liners, which also coordinate with your wedding invitations and save-the-dates!
Our caterers and venues will use these trays for drinks and to clear glassware. Some caterers even love to use these trays for passing hors d’oeuvres, too!
Considerations: Keep in mind that while there are many different trays on Amazon to choose from, the key is to choose trays that have non-slip bottoms — especially if you’re passing wine glasses. Although the tray liners help, I’ve found that wood trays work the best. Another benefit is that wood trays are lighter, too, which is key when glassware will add to the overall weight your servers will be carrying. Be sure to test out the trays beforehand since the handles on some brands can be flimsy.
What to do with them after your wedding: There are a number of ways to integrate these trays into your home decor. You can place books on them on your coffee table or use them to organize towels or bottles in your bathroom. You can even use them outside while entertaining guests!
2. Wicker Baskets
How I use them: I often recommend wicker baskets to my clients who are having garden-inspired or rustic weddings. I’ve found, as a wedding planner, that I particularly like the Amazon brand Kouboo. Their large basket is great for stacking parasols in for an outdoor ceremony, while their shallow storage basket is perfect for presenting ceremony programs in.
Considerations: Wicker comes in a range of different textures, including traditional wicker, seagrass, and natural water hyacinth. It also comes in a variety of colors, from whitewashed to honey. If you’re going to use a lot of wicker at your wedding, try to stick with one style and color to maintain consistency and avoid a hodgepodge of looks.
What to do with them after your wedding: There are so many great ways to repurpose wicker baskets! You might use the large basket with an added plastic liner as a planter or to hide an ugly plant pot. Wicker baskets may also be used for organizing TV remotes in the living room, storing towels in the bathroom, or displaying fruit on the counter.
3. Cocktail Napkins (and Napkin Caddies)
How I use them: I’m a huge fan of napkins, much to my husband’s chagrin! Other than florals, nothing takes your tabletop up a notch as much as a great napkin! Take that one step further, and why not incorporate hemstitched linens into your cocktail hour?
We love recommending the Solino Home Linen cocktail napkins to our clients, which can also be personalized by embroidering your initials on them. While they have a slew of wonderful colors to choose from to coordinate with any wedding theme or color palette, I usually gravitate towards the natural and muted tones. They provide a classic, timeless feel — and complement many of my wedding designs!
I also love these bamboo wood napkin caddies! They can be spray painted to match your wedding reception decor if the natural color doesn’t mesh well. Just be sure to spray it with a clear silicone sealer after painting it since you are going to place napkins in it.
Considerations: There are many hemstitch napkin options that can be bought in bulk. The problem is that they vary in quality. While it can be tempting to buy napkins in bulk, you’ll want to select a higher quality linen napkin like the ones from Solino if you’re planning to embroider them or use them again in the future.
What to do with them after your wedding: Once cocktail hour is over, have your wedding planner or venue gather your linen napkins, rather than throwing them away. Get them laundered once you’re back home and bring them out when you entertain your guests in the future. Every time you do, you’ll be taken back to your wedding day!
4. Block Print Table Linens
How I use them: Block print linens are all the rage right now, and we are here for it. Whether you select a table linen or napkins, your wedding decor will be trendy. These block print cocktail and dinner napkins are so playful and beautiful, making them perfect for curating your tablescape.
The color and print isn’t for every wedding. If they don’t fit in with your theme, another option is to use them for a rehearsal dinner where you don’t need to buy in bulk and can mix and match for a more eclectic and colorful feel.
Considerations: If you’re buying more than one set of linens, it’s important to keep in mind that block prints are one of a kind and no two are created equally — meaning there will be some subtle variations between prints, especially if you’re placing them next to each other.
What to do with them after your wedding: You can enjoy these linens time and again. They’re perfect for entertaining in your backyard or adding some festive color to your tablescape during the holidays!
5. Terracotta or Wood Appetizer Bowls
How I use them: When I’m wedding planning, I love when our clients are foodies and looking to curate their culinary presentations! There’s nothing more eye-catching than food displayed in cute dishes like these terracotta bowls or wooden appetizer bowls from Amazon.
If you’re not a traditional bread roll and butter couple, the good news is that more and more wedding venues are allowing you to be creative with what you serve on tables as guests first take their seats. From breadsticks to olives to patatas bravas, these cute wooden or terracotta bowls can complement the rest of your table decor.
Considerations: Before you decide to serve bowls of olives (or anything else) to your guests as an appetizer, check with your venue to ensure they are OK with the presentation. Work with your venue to figure out when the appetizers will be placed on tables so they don’t sit out for extended periods of time. It will usually be when the catering staff is pouring water into glasses.
What to do with them after your wedding: It’s a no-brainer! Add your favorite appetizers and dips to the bowls and enjoy them at home!
6. Napkin Rings
How I use them: Napkin rings are a small touch that can take your wedding decor to the next level! Whether you’re hosting your Western-inspired ranch wedding in Montana or Wyoming or you’re simply looking to incorporate some cowboy chic into your welcome party or rehearsal dinner, these leather napkin rings can make a fun addition! Choose a fringed or plaid napkin and tie on or calligraph your guest’s place name for added texture, rich color, and a whimsical look.
If a Western-themed wedding isn’t your thing, there are other options! We’re also obsessed with these wicker napkin rings from Amazon, a version of which was recently used at Sophia Richie Grainge’s garden-inspired baby shower. If you haven’t already guessed, wicker is something I adore using when designing weddings!
Considerations: When choosing napkin rings, be careful with quality. I’ve found many napkin rings that claim to be leather to be in fact a very poor pleather and orange in appearance. I always recommend ordering a set before investing in a bulk purchase.
What to do with them after your wedding: Hosting an at-home BBQ? Bring out your inner cowboy with these leather napkin rings!
7. Picture Frames
How I use them: As a wedding planner, I’ve found that picture frames are a must for ensuring your wedding signs stand out — and there are so many great choices when it comes to design! My top three go-tos for frames for wedding signage, such as signature cocktails, gelato bars, or flip-flop stations, are these wicker frames, wood frames, and floating metal frames from Amazon. I use them over and over when my stationer isn’t designing self-standing frames.
Considerations: Each of these three types of picture frames brings a different look and feel. Therefore, it’s important to consider where the frames will be displayed and your theme or style when integrating frames into your wedding decor. You might choose wood for a more rustic feel, while wicker provides a garden look and metal floating offers a bit more edge. Color also matters. When you choose a neutral frame, your signage will pop inside them.
Be sure to take size into consideration when choosing picture frames for wedding signage. When framing your signs, be sure to measure the inside of the frame and not the entire perimeter. Sometimes, the opening is smaller than you would expect. If you’re choosing a floating frame, make sure your sign is a thin ply since the clasp doesn’t accommodate a more texturized sign.
What to do with them after your wedding: Once your wedding is over, you’ll have no shortage of photos. You can put your leftover frames to good use with a fun gallery wall of wedding photos!
8. Pashminas
How I use them: When we’re planning weddings, we’re all about your guests’ experience — and ensuring that they’re well taken care of is one of our top priorities. For summer outdoor weddings with cooler evening temperatures or outdoor fall or winter ceremonies followed by a tented reception, the one thing I’ve found as a wedding planner is to anticipate that there will always be a few guests who need a little help getting warmed up. In these cases, having some pashminas, or wraps, on hand for the ladies can be a lifesaver!
I particularly like these pashminas from Amazon, which are “cashmere-like” and offer a shorter fringe style, giving them a wrap look. They come in a variety of colors, which allows you to coordinate your pashminas with your wedding colors. While some traditional pashminas are flimsy, these are thicker — and the price point is perfection!
Consideration: While not all pashminas are created equal and we’ve noticed some inconsistencies in color, this brand has been reliable. Keep in mind, however, that these pashminas are poly-based and not a true natural cashmere.
What to do with them after your wedding: We encourage you to allow your guests to keep their pashminas as wedding favors. However, if there are any leftovers, you can pop them in a basket for your outdoor gatherings at home in lieu of blankets.
Now that you know about some of my favorite Amazon products to buy for weddings, you can start filling up your own cart! If you want some help navigating the wedding planning process, be sure to reach out to us at HauteFêtes. We would love to help ensure your special day is an unforgettable one!