Setting the Table: Elements for a Glamorous Tablescape
As we're nearing the end of the year, holiday parties are aplenty and those epic winter weddings are upon us. The art of setting a beautiful and memorable table is not one that comes easily, which is why we're taking notes from one of the most talented stylists in the industry, Joy Proctor. In today's planning article, we delve into just the tip of the iceberg in terms of tablescape elements, but elements that are crucial to an aesthetically pleasing and functional dinner display. Feast your eyes on these lovey images by Greg Finck and be sure to pin away!
ELEMENT ONE: INSPIRATION
A beautiful design begins with inspiration. Joy's design for this welcome dinner began as an ode to Paris - the beautiful, intricate sculptures, the rich history, traditional stone colors and natural foliage, and romanticism around every corner.
What event will you be hosting? A Thanksgiving dinner? Think about the fall foliage, the history and meaning behind a giving holiday such as this, seeing family that you don't get to see often, and the delicious foods that symbolizes Thanksgiving. How could you design your table to fully embody all of this?
Are you planning you winter wedding tablescape? What do you want your guests to feel? Do you want your food to take center stage? Perhaps design the tables to be ultra accommodating to your eats. Is your sweet fiance known for giving you a certain bouquet of flowers? Use those flowers and leave a note with the significance of this flower on the back of the table numbers! And so on...
ELEMENT TWO: LIGHTING
Lighting plays an important role in setting the mood, as we all know. If you want to create a glittering effect, scatter 10-15 tea lights (use the 10 hour versions!) on each table, more if the design allows. If you want a timeless feel, taper candles are your best bet. We love Creative Candles for some of the most unique designs!
Joy uses lovely blush thin taper candles here, which add a bit of color against the natural greens and ivories of the flowers. Perfection...
ELEMENT THREE: PESONALIZATION
Escort cards are the simplest way to show adoration and appreciation for your guests and the options for personalization are boundless! Here Linea Carta used her magic for a simple tent escort card dark colored ink. Seriously, the options are endless and all you have to do is head to our Pinterest for some of our favorites (check out our 'stationery' tab!).
ELEMENT FOUR: FLORALS
Florals. Need we say more? By being intentional with your choice of florals, one can put the final touches on a beautifully themed event. Talented Bows & Arrows Flowers chose a mix of large and small blooms, all mostly ivory in color. This matched the timelessness felt throughout the entire design and the serene, romantic feel of Paris.
Florals can be extravagant and they can be single buds in vases. All that matters, in order to create an awe-inspiring design for your guests, is thought and heart put into each element.
What other elements do you find crucial to your tablescape designs? We'd love to hear!
From Greg Finck: "This is the welcome lunch of Joy Proctor workshop on intentional design and thoughtful styling, I was honored to photography in Paris last Spring. Joy gathered an incredible team of vendors, including Alicia Rico, from Bows & Arrows Flowers, to welcome her attendees from around the world.
This lunch was an ode to Paris, reason why I have shot many Paris photos for the context. Bows and Arrows created the most lovely floral arrangements to match the pale blue colors of the room."
Vendor Details
Photography: Greg Finck | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Stylist / Planner: Joy Proctor | Floral Designer: Bows & Arrows Flowers | Venue: Maison des Polytechniciens | Calligraphy: Linea Carta
Comments
thanks
You can spray paint the two tables One could be a metallic silver and the other pink or black. I think the silver would be really cool to add to the room Frame your art with simple black frames and use white mats around the pictures in the frame. You could draw sketches of the hollywood hillside with the famous letters on it, some of woman on old looking couches or chaise lounges posing.
Fantastic job guys! this set-up looks stunning. I love the way you have used the trestle tables and gold chairs to create an elegant look. The centerpieces really work well with the theme it looks brilliant.
