Elevating the Art of the Reception Table

In the world of high-end wedding planning, there is a distinct difference between an event that is "pretty" and one that is truly curated. As a seasoned strategist with over two decades in the Australian wedding industry, we have seen every trend come and go. However, one element remains the absolute visual anchor of a successful reception: the table stationery.

At Felicitations, we view the wedding menu as much more than a list of food choices. It is a tactile centrepiece, a conversation starter, and a lingering memento of your first meal as a married couple. It is an editorial detail that signals to your guests that every millimetre of this celebration has been considered.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the nuances of designing, styling, and executing the perfect wedding menu, ensuring your tablescape leaves a flawless and lasting impression.

1. The Psychology of the Menu: More Than Just Food

The reception is the heart of your wedding day, a time centred heavily around food, drink, and the celebration of your new life together. Guests naturally love to know what they are going to be eating, whether it's an alternate serve dish or a shared banquet.

However, a luxury menu serves three deeper psychological purposes:

Anticipation: A beautifully designed menu builds excitement for the culinary journey your caterer has prepared.
Direction: It guides guests through the flow of the night, identifying dessert, beverages, and late-night snacks.
Recognition: When a guest sees their name beautifully typeset on a menu, it transforms from a piece of paper into a personal invitation to the feast.

2. Quantity and Placement: Finding Your Editorial Balance

One of the most common questions we receive in our Perth studio is: "How many menus do I actually need?" The answer depends entirely on your service style and the atmosphere you wish to create.

Individual Menus (One Per Guest)

If your budget and aesthetic allow, an individual menu for each guest is the gold standard.

The Experience: Guests refer back to their own menu throughout the night as each dish is served.
The Placement: Individual menus are typically placed directly on the charger plate or tucked into a folded napkin.
The Perk: This layout allows you to include guest names on each card, doubling the menu as a place card.

Shared Menus (Two or Three Per Table)

For couples opting for a shared banquet or a more communal dining experience, a few menus per table of ten will suffice.

The Placement: These are often stood upright in minimalist stands or placed strategically between floral centrepieces to ensure all guests can easily see the options.

The Buffet Statement

For a cocktail reception or a buffet-style meal, a large-scale menu sign near the food stations is recommended. This ensures clarity and flow while guests are moving through the space.

3. What to Include: The Anatomy of a Flawless Menu

While the food is the star, the layout must be curated with precision. At Felicitations, our professional designers manually typeset every line to ensure typographic elegance.

The Food Courses

Canapés: If you have canapés on arrival, you may choose to leave them off the main table menu since that course has already finished. However, many couples include them for the sake of a complete culinary record.
Main Courses: Whether it's a 3-course meal or a shared banquet, include the main ingredients for each dish so guests understand exactly what they are enjoying.
Dessert & Cake: Don't forget the wedding cake! Listing it under the dessert section helps guests with dietary preferences know when to expect it.

Beverages

Guests appreciate knowing their drink options. List your selected wine blends, beer brews, and any non-alcoholic juices or teas you have chosen as part of your package. Mentioning whether it is an open bar or a cash bar can also help set expectations for the night.

Special Inclusions

Personalised Messages: Use the menu to offer a small "thank you" message to your guests for travelling and celebrating with you.
Dietary Icons: We can incorporate dietary notes into your design at no additional cost, ensuring all guests feel considered.

4. The Fabric vs. Cardstock Debate: Textures of Luxury

Materiality specialisations truly shine. We specialise in tactile art that guests want to hold.

Premium Cardstock

We print exclusively on 300 gsm and 750 gsm cardstock.

Textured Felt: For a classic, tactile feel.
Smooth Cotton Matte: For a crisp, modern editorial look.
Pearly Finishes: For a touch of romantic shimmer.

Refined Fabric Menus

For those seeking a soft, romantic, and truly unique look, our fabric menus are the ultimate choice. These add an incredible layer of texture to a tablescape and look stunning in professional photography.

5. Design Specifications: Size and Shape

The silhouette of your menu should complement your overall table styling.

Slim (100x200mm): The most popular and sleek choice for modern weddings.
Classic (120x210mm): A wider format that provides a more traditional, editorial weight.
Folded A5: Perfect for degustation menus where you have a lot of text to communicate.
Custom Shapes: At Felicitations, we offer architectural shapes like arches, waves, and geometric die-cuts to add a layer of couture design to your plate.

6. The Felicitations Signature Finishes

To move beyond "pretty paper" and into "heirloom quality," we offer high-end print finishes that demand attention.

White Ink: Striking and modern on dark or colored cardstocks.
Metallic Foil: Digital foil that catches the romantic evening light.
Letterpress: A deep-impression method where the design is physically pressed into the paper—luxury you can truly feel.

7. Logistics: Timeline and Proofing

Because we handle everything in our Perth studio, we maintain total control over quality and timelines.

Finalising the Menu: We recommend finalising your menu text at least 4 weeks before the big day.
Guest Lists: If you are opting for guest name printing, we need your final list 48 hours before we start the printing process.
Approval: You will always receive a digital design proof to review and confirm before we move to production. We only print when you say it's perfect.

8. Styling Tips: Coordinating Your Suite

For a truly sophisticated look, your menus should not exist in a vacuum. They should be a continuation of your wedding's DNA.

Neutral vs. Bold: If your florals and centrepieces are colourful and busy, a neutral menu helps ground the look. If your styling is minimalist, a bold, colored menu can serve as your main "pop" of design.
The Cohesive Suite: By matching your menu typography and colour palette to your invitations and seating charts, you create a seamless visual thread that guests will subconsciously appreciate.

9. Conclusion: Creating a Lasting Impression

Your wedding menu is one of the few items every guest will spend time looking at and touching. It is an opportunity to showcase your style, thank your loved ones, and guide them through an unforgettable evening.

At Felicitations, we are dedicated to helping you achieve that "Dior" standard of excellence. Whether you are in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, or anywhere in between, our studio is ready to craft the perfect finishing touch for your reception tables.

Elevate Your Table Today

Ready to transform your reception with stationery that speaks of sophistication and style? Whether you are drawn to the architectural precision of our cardstock designs or the romantic drape of our signature fabrics, we are here to bring your vision to life.

Explore the Menu Collection Discover our range of bespoke cardstock and fabric menus, designed to be the tactile anchor of your tablescape.

Book a Studio Consultation Local to Perth? Visit our Osborne Park atelier to feel our premium European stocks and see our couture finishes in person before you order.

Felicitations: Designed in Perth. Loved Nationwide. Luxury stationery for couples who don't do basic.

The Definitive Guide to Luxury Wedding Menus