When planning a wedding or party, you will inevitably have a chosen style, a look, a feeling that you want to create for your guests, your tablescape is key in capturing this style.
Luckily there is such variety available with tableware that you can get creative and curate your chosen design. Whether it be modern, classic, rustic or elegant, simple or with some drama - there's so much to choose from and using your chosen wedding style consistently can elevate the experience for your guests.
So where do you begin?
Table shape
Most venues will have round cabaret tables for you to use but many couples (especially with smaller guest numbers) are choosing long rectangular tables. This can be a very beautiful choice stylistically, but you can also hire square or oval tables which can bring another style element to the space.
Table Linen
My advice for linen is to go neutral so that you can inject colour through other elements such as your crockery, glassware and floristry. If you have the chance to upgrade your linen from the standard plain white cotton – then do. You may not realise at the time of sitting down but resting your arms on a softer or a thicker material gives you a feeling of quality and really does enhance your experience.
Table runners
You may not add a runner due to the table shape or amount of space on the table but if you do – choose a colour that contrasts your table linen. This is still only your first layer which you still need to build on with your other elements so do not overdo it, keep it simple.
Chairs
Again your venue may have chairs for you to use. These may work really well with your chosen style, but if not and you have budgeted for these upgrades then choose a chair that works better with your style. For example a cross back/vineyard chair would work brilliantly for a barn wedding, where as chivari chair is more traditional and a ghost chair is more modern.
Crockery and cutlery
There are so many crockery choices available now, different colours, shapes, patterns, textures, matt, shiny, ornate or simple. There are a variety of sizes available from charger plates through to tiny butter or salt/pepper dishes. You can use these different plates to add texture, a charger is a great way to do this and can give you a pop of colour. My advice is to explore and experiment, layer up different options and see what works well in conveying your style. There are many options with cutlery as well, something weightier and in gold/silver is quite a classic choice, whereas a thinner or coloured option would convey a more modern style.
There are many elements to consider when creating your beautiful wedding tablescape. The above items are your starting point, the beginning of your creative canvas, the first few layers on which you will build your style. In next week’s blog I will look at the other areas that add another dimension – glassware, florals, napkins, stationery and lighting.
If you’re not sure on the style that you want to create then please do get in touch for some advice.
If you would like to know more about my services or discuss how I can help you then please contact me, we can have a chat and go from there.