There are no fixed rules for decorating a christening, so you decide the style yourself. Choose three colours and repeat them in napkins, flowers and candles, lay a shared table consistently, and let a few well-thought-out touches carry the rest of the decoration.
Contents
- The short answer: how to decorate for a christening
- Which colours should you choose for the christening?
- The table: tablecloth, napkins and table setting
- Flowers and candles that tie the table together
- Decoration in the room: welcome, gifts and guest book
- Practical tips for the day
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Whether you're decorating for a christening at home or in a hall, it's mostly about creating a calm, coherent feel around the table. You don't need lots of different things, just make sure the few you choose work together.
In this guide, you'll get a simple plan: colours, the table, flowers and candles, plus a few spots in the room you easily forget, like the gift table and guest book.
The short answer: how to decorate for a christening
When decorating for a christening, you can start with what brings the day together: the table. Choose a colour palette, lay the table consistently, and repeat the same colours in the table decor, flowers and candles, so it looks well thought out without being complicated. After that, it's about the details: where guests place gifts, where there's room for a guest book or cards, and how you distribute candles and flowers so the table looks full without becoming cluttered.
You can find table settings, table decor, vases and candlesticks gathered in the shop, and all items are hand-picked by Dinna, so you don't have to search long for the right pieces.
Which colours should you choose for the christening?
The choice of colours for a christening is free, and there are no requirements you have to follow. Traditionally, many choose a combination of white and light blue or white and pink, but a more contemporary palette in neutral and pastel tones works just as well.
What makes the decorations well thought out is choosing a few colours and keeping them consistent throughout the table. Choose three colours, and let them recur in:
- Napkins and tablecloth
- Flowers in the vases
- Candles on the candlesticks
This way, the table holds together, even if you mix several types of table decor and vases.
Tip: Let a single detail, like a set of plates or a table runner, set the tone for the rest of the colour choice, so you have something to style around.
The table: tablecloth, napkins and table setting
A simple table setting always works best for a christening. Choose a tablecloth or table runner in one of your main colours, and repeat the colour in the napkins. Serve the food on plates that work together with the rest of the table, for example a set like Plate del mar plates in dolomite or Citron plates in stoneware, if you want a fresher look.
Set out glasses and cutlery in a consistent rhythm, so the table looks calm and inviting, even with many place settings. You'll find tablecloths, napkins and the rest of the table setting under table settingsand if you need a complete overview of the table setting itself, you can read more in the article about Table Setting: How to Lay a Beautiful Table.
Flowers and candles that tie the table together
Several small vases along the table create more life than one large bouquet in the middle of the table. Place them so they're spread out all the way down, ideally in different heights and styles, for example a Leopard vase in stoneware, small, a Panda vase in stoneware, small, or a Cow wall vase in stoneware as a gentle and slightly playful touch alongside the flowers.
Candles on candlesticks give the table warmth, even in daylight, and are easy to repeat in the colour you've chosen for the rest of the table. If you're unsure which vase suits your flowers, you can find out more in the guide about Which Vase Suits Which Flowers?
Find vases in several sizes and styles, so you can distribute them across the table.
Shop vasesDecoration in the room: welcome, gifts and guest book
Besides the table itself, there are a few spots in the room worth thinking about. Set up a clear welcome area by the entrance, so guests can quickly find their way to the table and the rest of the party. A gift table somewhere in the room means presents don't end up cluttering chairs and floors, and a small spot with a guest book or cards gives guests a natural place to leave a greeting.
If you're bringing a gift yourself, you can find inspiration among the christening gifts in the shop.
Practical tips for the day
Decorate as much as possible the day before, so on the day itself you can spend your time with the guests instead of fussing with tablecloths and candles at the last minute. Set up the coffee and cake table separately, ideally somewhere other than the main table, so there's room to move to and fro without disturbing the rest of the table setting.
Think about who's coming. If there are lots of children, it might be a good idea to keep candles and sharp edges a little away from the edge of the table. If there are older guests, make sure there are wide walkways and chairs that are easy to get in and out of.
Frequently asked questions
How do you decorate for a christening?
Choose a simple colour palette of three colours, set a shared table uniformly, and let flowers and candles recur in the same colours. Then think about a gift table and a spot for a guest book or cards.
What colours are used for a christening?
Traditionally, many choose white combined with light blue or light pink, but neutral and pastel-coloured palettes are also common. There are no fixed rules, so the choice of colours is entirely up to you.
What should be on the table for a christening?
A shared table with a tablecloth or table runner, napkins, plates and glasses in the same colour scheme, plus several small vases and candles on candlesticks spread out across the table.
How do you set the table for a christening?
Keep the table setting simple with the same colours throughout, and arrange glasses and cutlery in a consistent rhythm. You can follow a step-by-step guide to table setting for a calm and considered look.
What flowers suit a christening?
There are no particular flowers that are the right ones for a christening. Several small bouquets spread across several vases create more decoration and life than a single large bouquet in the middle of the table.
How do you decorate for a christening on a budget?
Choose a few colours, and repeat them in napkins, flowers and candles, so you achieve a considered look without using much decoration. Several small vases instead of one large bouquet also give more visible decoration for what you put out.
Summary
Decorating for a christening doesn't have to be complicated. Choose three colours, set the table uniformly, and let small vases and candles spread out all the way down. Remember a spot for gifts and a guest book, and prepare as much as possible the day before, so you can enjoy the day together with your guests too.
Read also
- Table Setting: How to Lay a Beautiful Table
- Table Decorations: How to Build the Centre of the Table
- How Do You Fold Napkins?
- Which Vase Suits Which Flowers?
- How to Set the Table for a Confirmation
Put Your Own Look Together
Find table settings, table decorations, vases and candlesticks, hand-picked by Dinna, and put together simple, coherent decor for the christening.
Shop decorations