Crafting a show-stopping wedding tablescape is an art form that requires careful consideration of several key elements. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or collaborating with your florist or stylist, it’s essential to bring all the components together to realize your vision. While timeless trends may emerge season after season on platforms like One Fab Day and Pinterest, creating a unique tablescape also offers an opportunity to infuse your personal style into your wedding day.
From flowers and fruit to candlelight, cutlery, collectables, layered fabrics, charger plates, and bespoke stationery, we’ll guide you through the process of crafting your dream wedding tablescape. To inspire you, we’ve curated stunning images from our real weddings and styled shoots below, ensuring that this feature will leave you eager for more.
What is a Tablescape?
Imagine starting your wedding celebration with a visually stunning tablescape that sets the tone for an unforgettable day. This beautifully curated dining table is designed to impress, whether it’s for a small, intimate gathering or a grand affair.
The art of creating a tablescape involves thoughtfully combining various elements such as glassware, tableware, textiles, textures, stationery, lighting, flowers, favors, and accessories to produce a cohesive statement piece that harmonizes with the wedding’s overall style and atmosphere. Each component is carefully placed and layered to create a unique design that tells a story about the couple and their special day.
How to Tablescape
When it comes to crafting your dream wedding tablescape, it’s all about creating a harmonious blend of elements. To get you started on this design journey, we’ll break down each visually stunning component below, sharing our top tips and tricks along the way. Before diving in, keep these fundamental styling principles in mind:Firstly, choose a theme or style that reflects your wedding aesthetic. This will serve as a guiding light for your table decor decisions moving forward.
Next, build your tablescape by working from the bottom up – starting with the foundation pieces and gradually adding layers to create depth and visual interest. Make the most of vertical space by incorporating items of varying heights to draw the eye upwards and add dimensionality to your design. Don’t be afraid to mix things up by combining different textures, such as glass, linen, or wood, to add tactile variety.
Candlelight is a must-have for any romantic tablescape – it instantly adds warmth and ambiance to the space. Be sure to incorporate this element in a way that feels organic and inviting. Lastly, don’t forget to weave in personal touches and sentimental details that make your wedding celebration truly unique and meaningful. By doing so, you’ll create a tablescape that’s not only visually stunning but also deeply personal.
Textures & Fabrics
Building a stunning tablescape is all about layering, and one often overlooked yet crucial element is the use of tablecloths, table runners, placemats, napkins, and napkin ties. These components provide an opportunity to introduce multiple colors and textures to the table, which can be achieved through various fabrics such as chiffon, linen, silk, velvet, and cotton. Not only do these add a cost-effective touch, but they can also make a significant impact overall.
In fact, napkins can be the unsung hero of the tablescape, offering endless possibilities for creativity with patterned or colored fabrics and unique folding techniques. When it comes to table settings, it’s essential to consider the table itself. Rather than covering it entirely, you could choose to highlight its natural beauty by skipping the tablecloth altogether and incorporating the tabletop into your design. This approach can result in a truly striking visual effect.
Flatware
When it comes to table settings, symmetry is the unsung hero that takes it from ordinary to extraordinary. And one of the most effective ways to achieve this harmony is through charger plates, those large, ornate plates that sit beneath the dinner plate. By selecting a charger plate that makes a statement – whether it’s ornate, metallic, glass or even textured like rattan – you can instantly elevate the overall aesthetic of your tablescape.
One of the best things about using charger plates is how easily they can add a touch of glamour to your setting. And when paired with minimal dishes, glassware and flatware, the result is nothing short of luxurious. So why not take the plunge and make symmetry the star of your next tablescape? Photo by Infusion Wedding Concepts.
Candles & Lighting
Transforming your wedding table settings into a romantic oasis is all about the right ambiance, and candlelight plays a crucial role in achieving this. Incorporate an assortment of candles in various vessels, including tapered holders, candelabras, and votives, to create a visually appealing display. However, strike a balance between ambiance and functionality – ensure your guests can still see and converse with each other without feeling overwhelmed or hidden behind a massive centrepiece.
And, of course, don’t forget to consider any potential fire hazards in your setup.
To add an extra layer of uniqueness to your decor, repurpose glass bottles like whiskey, wine, or gin containers as tapered candle holders. Start collecting these early on to ensure you have a sufficient supply for the number of tables you’ll be using.
Seating
When it comes to elevating the ambiance of a dining space, chairs can play a significant role. If budget allows, opting for unique designs like ghost chairs, classic bistro chairs, Chiavari chairs or luxurious gold accent chairs can make a substantial impact. Alternatively, consider renting chair covers in bold colors or patterns to instantly revamp the look.
For those looking to get creative, crafting bespoke chair covers using fabric and ribbon is a simple yet effective way to add a personal touch. Simply drape the fabric over the back of the chair, tie it off with ribbon, and voilà! This DIY approach can also be applied to repurposing pew ends from your ceremony by attaching them to the top table chairs.
As seen in this photo [Photo by Rafel Borek via One Fab Day], a little imagination and resourcefulness can go a long way in creating a memorable dining experience.
