so we "named" our tables after our favorite writers/philosophers. I found wonderful quotes that involved marriage, love or friendship from each of the writers/philosophers, and framed it (with 5x7 frames). People said they really enjoyed going from table to table to read what the other quotes said; it encouraged mingling! Each table had a stack of hardback books and i wrapped them in a thick piece of ribbon that matched the bridesmaids dresses and then wrapped that in a thin piece of rafia and tied it on top. (does that make any sense?). Instead of a table number we used quotes so i went to bed bath and beyond and bought 10 frames (about 10 bucks each) and typed up a quote from the author of the table. For instance there was a JD Salinger table and it said: Salinger Table It's just like a girl to go ahead and do that they wind up saying something amazing and you go falling head over heels in love with them (okay that isn't the exact quote but it was something like that from catcher). So the picture frame with the quote was placed on top of the books so it was higher and easy to read and on either side I had two little candles and I tied rafia around the clear candle holders to match the kind on the books. This idea is an obvious fit for academic/literary types, but could be extra funny with cheap romance novels and pulp fiction, which you can get for pennies at any second hand store. Stack 'em and wrap 'em in ribbons  suddenly trashy fiction becomes an entertaining conversation piece. Stick a wedding-branded bookmark in 'em and they're kitchy favors! Like Muglies, only readable.

Thanks so much. Funny you ask about baskets. I am a Longaberger consultant but a lot of the baskets you see Are Linda Searcy Baskets - they are handcrafted and not as sturdy as Longaberger but I LOVE THEM. The ones on my kitchen table and dining room table are by her as well as the huge one on my red armoire in the family room. They are pretty pricey - more so than Longaberger but REALLY unique. I love Longaberger in the kitchen and as a "Work basket" - I have A LOT in my kitchen but for decor, I prefer the Linda Searcy Baskets...Thanks for noticing!!!!

hostagrams--I really appreciate your comments about Canadel. I've been doing some research for the last couple of years and that brand seems to give me the type of set 'm looking for in the price range I want to spend. I don't want to have to baby the table all the time. Did you use placemats all the time, or did you set the plates directly on the table? I don't like tablecloths on the table except for special occasions. I have been looking at a double pedestal table for a long time and really hadn't thought about a single pedestal. Do you all think the double pedestal would still look too cluttered? Our current table is 42" x 60". I may take out the center leaf and see how a 42" round table will work, but that seems kind of small even though it's just DH and me. It's the only table we have and we use it for everything. I would think any larger circumference would be too close to the wall. I do totally understand what you all are saying about only needing the additional space a few days of the year. It makes a lot of sense. But I also don't know if we'd be comfortable with anything smaller than what we currently have.

I would do a round table 56” in diameter...would look great. or a 56” x76” rectangle you subtract 30” from both sides of table for room to pull out chairs and maneuver around the space...also from length.. so take the width of your room and subtract 60” and take length if your room and subtract 60” Room width....116-60=56” wide for table width room length....136-60=76” long for table length