Creating an inviting wedding tablescape helps your guests feel welcomed. Setting a table is like expressing your gratitude and appreciation for someone. We love curating thoughtful details (obviously details matter to us, it’s in our name!), and tablescapes are no different.

CHRISTY MCKEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Wedding tablescapes are a major focal point during your reception. They are the first thing guests see when they head to their table to find their seat.

We design your table setting to complement your overall wedding style, but this can also be a great way to incorporate new concepts. Take the opportunity to infuse a little bit of your own personal and unique style! When done within something like a tablescape, these additions can be small enough to not pull away from your wedding aesthetic, but noticeable enough to make a big impression.

AUDRA JONES PHOTOGRAPHY | SAMANTHA LETO PHOTOGRAPHY

When it comes to tips for how to curate the best wedding tablescape, we’ve got lots! Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your tablescapes.

1. Keep in mind the space and your venue.

 We always design with the flow of the space. This means trying to enhance and build upon what is already there and keeping in mind things like table shape. Think beyond your standard round tables and opt for mixing in family-style banquet or farm tables. Even square tables would be great for an unexpected touch.

2. Play with different visual aspects.

This includes textures, layers, and colors. This can be achieved through many things like napkins, china, florals, glassware, or even a ribbon on your menu card. Mix metallics and incorporate patterns to catch the eye. Add visual interest by playing with various heights on the table. There are lots of different ways to keep it visually interesting!

3. Be intentional about the place cards/meal indicators.

These need to be aesthetically pleasing but it also serves a major purpose. Whether it’s letting someone know their seat or indicating to the servers which entree the guest receives, it needs to be clear!

4. Keep food service in mind.

Communicate with your florist if you plan on servicing family style. With platters being set out on the table directly, you won’t have as much room in the center of the table, altering the type of floral arrangements needed. If you are serving a plated meal and have included a charger, you need to check the maximum number of people a table can sit, and perhaps sit fewer people at each table to give your guests more room. It’s easy to get swept up in the aesthetics, but don’t forget about practicality.

5. Add some personal details.

A beautiful wedding tablescape with customized details is an excellent way to create a dining experience that feels personal and intentional. Try not to be too influenced by trends, otherwise your tablescape could end up looking like everyone else’s. Your wedding guests will absolutely love the fact that you took the time to consider them in the details of your wedding day.

6. You can still make things special on a budget.

If your budget doesn’t allow you to do chargers or the crystal cut stemware for all of your guests, don’t worry! Consider doing it just for the head table or sweetheart table. It will add another special layer to these featured tables and help make them pop. Or think about setting a dinner plate as your charger for a fraction of the cost. Think about what will have the biggest impact (i.e. chairs, linens, or glassware) so if you can’t upgrade everything, we can focus on just those elements.

We have designed so many beautiful wedding tablescapes over the years, but we have a few stand outs. Check out some of our favorites below for some wedding tablescape inspiration!

ASHLEY EAGLESON PHOTOGRAPHY

Fall is forever our favorite season, so we absolutely LOVE this design. This event was held at The Market at Grelen in October, and the colors and style fit perfectly with the venue and season. The black matte flatware and smoke water glasses give the table more depth and dimension. We also added in the copper chargers adorned with deckle edge place cards dipped in green watercolor for more of that visual interest you want in a tablescape. Honeycomb amber votives played well on our honey theme that was predominant throughout this wedding. Each element really tied it all together!

SARAH SHANK PHOTOGRAPHY

This summer wedding at the Georgetown Waterfront had a classic table setting with neutral linens and gold accents. It was a simple and elegant look. Instead of traditional paper wedding place cards, each place setting at these nuptials included a guest’s name laser cut out of acrylic in gold. A great example of adding special, personal touches that will mean so much to your guests! The couple also customized each menu card to the entree selected by the guest using a color coded ribbon for the servers to know which entree to service. Being at Sequoia in DC, I loved how the high ceilings and glass windows were balanced out with a variation of centerpiece heights to really catch the eye.

The extra steps you take and details you add to something like your wedding tablescape will not go unnoticed. When you work with All The Dainty Details, we will help design the wedding tablescape of your dreams! Before those reception doors open, we walk each table to make sure every detail is perfect. Every chair will be straight, all features will be at the precise angle, and every fork and knife will be accounted for. You’ll never have to worry about a thing!