One is usually mandatory. The other is the part you are choosing.
Verdict
Find out what the venue includes before you buy either, because linens are the most commonly duplicated purchase at a reception. Many venues and caterers supply plain white cloths as part of the package. If yours does, you only need runners. If it does not, cloths come first because a bare banquet table cannot be dressed with a runner alone. Sequins photograph as sparkle under warm light and as a hard glare under a spotlight, so ask your photographer.
~$87
Check White Round Tablecloths 120 in, 10 pack Price~$53
Check Gold Sequin Table Runners, 12 pack Price| White Round Tablecloths 120 in, 10 pack | Gold Sequin Table Runners, 12 pack | |
|---|---|---|
| Usually supplied by the venue | Often | Rarely |
| Covers the table | Fully, to the floor | A strip across it |
| Cost per table | Around nine dollars | Around four dollars |
| Laundry afterwards | Substantial | Light |
| Photographs | Neutral | Sparkle, or glare under spotlights |
| Resale value | Moderate | Moderate |
The venue does not supply linens, or supplies them in a colour you cannot work with. A 120 inch round cloth is what drops to the floor on a standard 60 inch banquet round, and anything shorter leaves table legs visible in every photograph. Measure the actual tables before ordering, because 60 inch and 72 inch rounds need different sizes.
Check White Round Tablecloths 120 in, 10 pack on Amazon
Cloths are handled and you want the tables to look designed. A runner is the cheapest way to add colour and texture across a room, and sequins in particular photograph well under warm string lights. Buy one first and look at it under the actual lighting before committing, because sequin finishes vary far more than the product photos suggest.
Check Gold Sequin Table Runners, 12 pack on Amazon
Rental includes laundering and pressing, which for a hundred and fifty guests is a real amount of work. Buying is cheaper per unit and leaves you with twenty creased tablecloths to deal with. Whichever you pick, remember polyester needs steaming out of the packet or it photographs as folds.
A 120 inch round cloth gives a full drop to the floor on a 60 inch table. A 108 inch cloth gives a partial drop that shows the legs. This one measurement causes more linen returns than anything else.
Under warm ambient light, yes. Under direct flash or a hard spotlight they can flare and blow out. Mention them to your photographer in advance, since it changes how they light the room.
Comparison based on published manufacturer specifications and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested these units side by side. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
We also have full reviews of each: white round tablecloths review and Conair handheld steamer review.