How's the best way to merge light oak kitchen table with dark cherry?

Is it the tables and chairs?

If it is could you slightly key the table and mark off a area in the middle and stain it darker to make a contemporary look. You could do the same on the chairs by staining just some of the rings or legs.

Try sanding the table top down to bare wood and then re-stain it darker. Paint the table base/legs and chairs with a coordinating color of Chalk Paint. Good luck with your project and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Paint the oak. Oak is out of date, and a very busy grain. Paint can bring in a solid color, and really show off the cherry that one of you has.

Wow that's a problem! I have the opposite we redid our cabinets in hickory and very light finish because we love the grain. But we have his grandmother's dinning set that's totally country and close to 100 years old in great shape which I hate with a passion. I resorted to using a tablecloth because to him it's like gold. Precious yet she would be the first to say don't be an idiot sell it! There are some really nice tablecloths now. Start there.

fashions come and go, you can paint, use a tablecloth or just add additional wood tones for an eclectic blend of woods. woods don't have to all matchy-matchy. I have driftwood gray walls, espresso cabinets, natural pine doors, stair treads, oak chairs, mahogany table, Jacobean stained beams and door frames, butcher block counters, and aged barn wood floors. I am very happy with it.