I’ve been thinking a lot about the table. The values that are reinforced from meeting up here every night, yes, but with entertaining season coming up, I’m starting to really think about the aesthetic of it all. With 20 years experience in events, I have been part of contributing to some of the most beautiful tables in the form of custom linens, china, menus, table numbers, and escort cards. And while this experience is lovely when establishing taste, and understanding what looks good, and how to make it, it can also be a hard bar to reach when decorating at home. For example, this thanksgiving I’m not creating a table for a client with a six figure budget, and with 19 coming to our house in a couple of weeks, how make a beautiful table without spending a lot on decor is on my mind.
So when we look at tables for inspiration on social, and the ones I’ll be sharing here, let’s remember that not just big budgets went into creating these, but the expertise and years of experience of multiple vendors were tapped to make these masterpieces. Oh, and time! For example, this table (and event) was planned and executed by a professional event planner- someone with years of experience in her industry, creating and curating multiple vendors who took over a year to make this look come together. Then, there is the event space itself, the floral design, and the paper, which involved four vendors: myself, the handmade paper maker, the calligrapher, and the printer! Also, the rentals on the table, from glassware, to linens, to the chairs, and flatware- five vendors just to get this combined look with tableware! So, don’t feel bad if your holiday table doesn’t look like this!
This gorgeous garden inspired wedding at the Halim Museum of Time and Glass was expertly designed by Beth Bernstein with photos by Liz Banfield.
If you’d like to see more of this wedding designed by Beth, head over here!
If you’re not hiring out for the holiday table, here are some inspiring ideas we can borrow for a thoughtful and creative table:
Fruit artfully arranged as centerpieces
One beautiful centerpiece with fruit in a festive color palette could really be pretty on the thanksgiving table.
A Unifying Color Palette
This wedding was curated by Anne Book, an event planner with 2 decades of experience in hospitality and photographed by Lisa Ziesing of Abby Jiu Photography. Using color as a unifying theme could be a really beautiful way to bring a fresh palette to the December holidays with something like this light blue and green combination.
A trip to the fabric store for a toile fabric table cloth could be a great grounding piece for any color story you choose.
The rest of this DC Wedding is equally stunning!
Forage from the yard
(or on the side of the road) Keep your clippers in your car, because you might just happen upon the perfect berry branch or leafy cluster to make a gorgeous centerpiece!
Natalie Walsh Designs is back, folks! And she’s creating gorgeous floral installations for your home, wedding, and corporate events. I love how she mixed foraged leaves and plants with fresh flowers to create this perfectly autumnal curated mix. Check out her instagram to see her make this archway in real life!
Personalize each place setting
Whether you print a custom menu, write your guests’ names on a pretty stone or shell, or personalize each dinner menu, adding the sweet touch of handwriting to each place setting is something your guests will remember and be honored by. This wedding designed by Estera Events used personalization not only as a logical way to find your seat, but to let the guests know each of them had been personally considered.
Photos by Stetten Wilson
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