The most romantic among us dream in black and white. We garner inspiration from movies of bygone days, including the gritty romance of Bogart and Bergman in “Casablanca” to the extravagant setting of “The Philadelphia Story” where we see elegance and inspiration presented in a stark medium. Even off the big screen nothing beats a color scheme of simple black and white for your most elegant events. Let’s count the ways you call put the romance of old into the events of now.

Weddings in Black and White

Long have evening weddings been the fanciest of events, where tuxes and evening wear are the norm and the wedding décor is muted and elegant. You can’t find any look more elegant than black and white for an evening wedding, and this starts with the table linens. Using one or both of these colors as a neutral base for all other decorations really open you to many options.

A mostly white wedding reception décor can be made more elegant with towering white flower centerpieces and a touch of class with black with chair ties.

Beautiful and elegant simplicity for this black & white wedding reception. For this and more ideas: 45 Awesome Ideas for a Black & White Wedding from Wedding-o-Mania

Using a white tablecloth as a base for all the tables at your wedding reception lends it a sleek, cohesive style. While conventional tablecloths are great for guest dining tables, tables that expect more foot traffic nearby, like buffet tables and gift tables, would benefit from using a white fitted tablecloth or table skirt.

The advantage of ordering white or black table linens in bulk is that you not only save money, but their neutral color also allows you more opportunities to use them. The polyester tablecloths and other table linens from iQ Linens are beautiful and offer easy care instructions by being stain and fade resistant, while still being machine washable.

Dinner Parties in Black and White

Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner for two or a larger dinner party for Thanksgiving or another occasion, you can’t go wrong with decorating your table in black and white.

For a romantic evening, set your table for two with a white tablecloth topped by a black table runner from a rich material placed across the center, serving as a placemat for each diner. On top of the table runner, you can use bright white china, layered white and black plates or even something with metallic accents. Finish each place setting with a crisp white cloth napkin and top the table with a low centerpiece of beautiful flowers and a candle or two in order to turn up the romantic mood.

For a larger dinner, a black and white theme can be taken in a couple of directions. For a more formal occasion, satin black and crisp white reflect strategically placed candles on the table. Using vintage candle holders that elevate the candles above the sight-line will add an extra touch of elegance to the evening. Complement the scene with low arrangements of white flowers, like hydrangea or roses. For a pop of color, try including some bright greenery with red or purple flowers.

Sometimes you want to walk the line between setting an elegant table without making an event too formal. Black and white can serve as a great palate for such an occasion.

For example, check out the fall or Thanksgiving dinner table set by Jen at the My Creative Manner blog. The use of black and white cloth napkins with a matching checked table runner will lend a sense of whimsy to the gathering with its centerpiece of white pumpkins and black candles. You could also substitute a solid white or black table runner to make the napkins stand out. 

More Options Than You Think

When choosing table linens in black or white, you might be surprised by the variety of textures in these colors and how those textures can change the look of your table substantially. There are bunches of choices from iQ Linens in both colors.

Black Tablecloths 

Let’s take a look at some of the choices in black tablecloths:

When in need of a solid black tablecloth, you can’t find a better choice than the Spun Polyester Tablecloth from iQ Linens. This tablecloth is the same high quality you’ll see in fine-dining restaurants around the world. This heavy, high-quality fabric is durable and will maintain its color and shape through multiple machine-wash cycles.

This black Bombay Pintuck Tablecloth from iQ Linens is made of a taffeta embroidered fabric that features a subtle, but smooth diamond-stitched design. It is an easy-care product being 100% machine washable with stain and wrinkle-resistant properties.

Below, the beautiful black-on-black pattern of iQ Linens’ Miranda fabric tablecloth makes the table itself a perfect centerpiece for your next dinner party. The floral leaf damask design of this fabric will really help white table settings and other accents pop in your dining table decor.

White Tablecloths

 Some of the beautiful white tablecloth choices from iQ Linens involve textures and print. Check them out:

Matte-satin white Duchess Tablecloths are silky soft and smooth. They are perfect for your wedding reception with their sheen that will look beautiful in soft lighting. The fabric is washable with stain-resistant and flame-retardant properties, so even though they are white, you need not worry about durability.

The tone-on-tone scroll design on the white Somerset tablecloth from iQ Linens offers a subtle way to dress up your table without going overboard with table settings and centerpieces. This classic pattern and color scheme make a great choice for your wedding, banquet, or special occasion, no matter your overall design style. Plus, sewn from 100% polyester, the Somerset fabric is wrinkle and stain resistant, making it perfect for multiple uses.

As you can see, there exists a multitude of choices in black and white. From true romance to elegant simplicity, all occasions can shine without needing the addition of bright colors and patterns. Whichever of these event styles you’re planning, remember to check out the wide selection of black and white table linens from iQLinens.com.