Mary Norden, who began her career as a textile designer, is now food and interiors director of Red magazine. She gives some wonderful tips on table settings in her book Wedding Details.

Although setting the table is likely to be the last of your tasks, it creates a vital first impression as people arrive. Napkins are vital to protect delicate dresses and smart suits from splashes and spills, but they also give you an opportunity to use your imagination when deciding how to present them.

Accessories and dressings should be simple but striking, such as garden greenery and lengths of ribbon. If you have a little time to spare, you can make some witty and unusual pointers to direct guests to their seats. For a lavish wedding, you might use a labelled favour. At a more relaxed event, chocolate name flags are good fun. Chair backs offer extra potential for decorating a room. There is something charming and quite unexpected about a chair embellished with a tied posy or trimmed with a great gauzy ribbon. Pay special attention to the bride's and groom's chairs, and use simpler ideas for the rest of the seating. Choose long-lasting flowers that will look good all day.

A well-orchestrated table reflects the special day and quality really stands out - fine table linens, real silverware, crystal glasses and bone china coffee cups are unmistakable. Wedding Details has many other imaginative and original ideas for table settings and other decorative aspects of the wedding celebrations.