Not only is a napkin a practical necessity for your guests, but it’s also a key design element in your tablescape. When choosing a napkin fold, it’s important to think about your style of dinner service. Will guests arrive to a plated salad already at their seats? Are you including printed menus? Will you have chargers at each place setting, or are you planning a buffet? All of these details influence which napkin fold will be most functional and visually appealing.
Material choice is just as important as the fold itself. While satin napkins look pretty, they tend to be slippery and can easily slide off the table. Plus, they’re not always the best for actually wiping hands or faces. I recommend poly blends or linen napkins for the perfect balance of beauty and practicality. Velvet napkins can be stunning, but they often come with a hefty price tag that isn’t always easy to justify.
Waterfall Fold: Sometimes called a hang fold, this is probably the most popular and widely used napkin style today. Many venues default to this fold because it’s versatile and works beautifully with menus, plated salads, chargers, and more.
Different takes on the waterfall fold:
Flatware on top: This is especially helpful for outdoor receptions where wind might be an issue. (Note: the example below shows a satin napkin, the flatware helps keep it in place.)
Menu on top: Printed menus fit perfectly over the waterfall fold.
Planning Tip: I usually recommend printed menus only for buffets. At a plated dinner, they can remind guests of dishes they didn’t choose and no longer have access to.
With a charger or plate: If you are doing a buffet you can also use your dinner plate if you don’t have chargers.
Hang with preset salads: The waterfall fold allows you to set a plate on top seamlessly.
Planning Tip: I always recommend a preset salad. It gives guests something to enjoy as soon as they sit down, helps them settle in, and keeps the timeline moving.
Sandwiched: Now this isn’t a common option because it requires the extra rental of a b&b plate but it does look elegant.
Knot:This napkin fold has become more popular in the last year or so. It is a little more time consuming to create these knots, so make sure your catering staff will do it. I think the knot napkin looks best framing a plate.
Planning Tip: Make sure you specify to your set up team that the napkins be on the same side of the plate for each setting. I’ve fixed so many knot placements!
Ring: This is a rare option because it requires you to purchase a napkin ring. The photo below used a key ring and created leather tags with each guest name so it served as a dual purpose purchase.
Rectangle Fold: Modern, simple, and clean. This fold works beautifully on its own or placed on top of a charger.
Pocket Fold: Perfect if you plan to tuck in a menu or flatware.
Banded Fold: The fold requires a charger or a plate to wrap around. It’s an elegant and modern foldthat offers a design element.
Triangle Fold: The triangle fold was popular in the past, it’s rare to see it nowadays. This fold doesn’t work well with a preset salad.
Roll Ups: Informal and usually reserved for buffets. If you’re using disposable utensils, pre-rolled napkins make sense. They’re also practical for outdoor, windy weddings to prevent napkins from blowing away.
