Summer Wedding Tablescapes

OK, first things first. “What is a tablescape?” I hear you cry! Well the word doesn’t actually feature in the dictionary but in the wedding and events industry it’s the term used to describe “an artistic arrangement of articles on a table” (www.tablescapes.net).  As stylists that means pulling together the table stationery, linen, table centrepieces, candle holders, favours or table gifts and finishing touches such as napkin rings and place name holders. All of these items need to work together to create an aestetically pleasing arrangement, reflect the overall look and feel of the wedding and the personalities of the happy couple. On a practical note, designing tablescapes has to also take into consideration the practicalities of eating a meal and ensuring that everyone is comfortable and has enough space at their place setting.



Image courtesy of Jo Hastings Photography

With warmer weather just around the corner (***fingers crossed***) we thought we’d bring you some suggestions for creating your own Summer tablescapes:-

• Hot Jewel Colours – think shocking pink runners or toppers with vibrant dahlias, orchids, roses or orange calla lilies, with touches of zingy lime and tropical foliage. Gold or white vessels work well with this scheme. And if you are using gold vessles for your flowers and budget is no object, then gold cutlery is the icing on the cake.

• English Country Garden – this tablescape can be interpreted with a stately home twist and be very grand, incorporating statement candelabras, urns and nostalgic silver tea sets.  Or at the other end of the spectrum, it can be much less formal with mismatched containers such as Kilner jars, wooden trugs and ceramic jugs.

Image courtesy of Scuffins Photography

• Contemporary Chic – modern tablescapes are created using clean lines and very few ‘ingredients’, for example, keeping flowers to a single variety, using them either en masse or in a minimalist way. The introduction of bamboo or tropical foliage will give a nod to faraway climes whatever the weather at home! Table stationery should be understated and the tablescape uncluttered without any fussy details.

Image courtesy of Anna Clarke Photography

• The Rose Lover – highly scented garden roses are the epitome of summer and can be displayed in monochrome neat globes at the centre of a candelabra or in mixed colours in looser, informal arrangements in pretty containers. The rest of the tablescape should reflect the nature of the floral arrangements, for example, the pretty, looser displays could be presented on lace cloths with crocheted doilies and pressed glass, vintage candlesticks.

Image courtesy of Jo Hastings Photography

• Ice Cream Pastels – a colour palette of strong pastels lends itself to wedding décor of spots, stripes, paper decorations and ribbon details. Cookie favours can be iced to match the theme perfectly and the table stationery can be feminine and fun. Small jars can be filled with sweets to introduce additional splashes of colour to the table dressing and pastel napkins handmade or hired to complete the theme.