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Table Styling Tips to Elevate Your Event

Table styling at any event is vital in bringing your event's overall theme and feel together. So, even though you think it may not matter much, every element you include in your table setting has a part to play. Every little detail makes all the difference in creating a memorable dining experience. As such, proper styling is crucial. But if you're a little stuck on where to start, we have some tips and ideas to help you make cohesive styling decisions that elevate your event, from decorating an engagement or birthday dining setup to wedding tables.

Styling a Table for Different Events

Tablescapes are an essential part of creating a beautiful and cohesive look for any event, whether it's an engagement party, birthday celebration, or wedding. Here are some specific tips for each type of event:

Engagement Parties:

  • Keep it chic and elegant: Engagement parties celebrate the couple's love and upcoming nuptials. Opt for a chic and elegant look with soft and romantic colours, such as blush, gold or silver.
  • Incorporate personalised touches: Consider incorporating personalised touches that represent the couple, such as photos or mementos from their relationship.
  • Use candles and soft lighting: Candles and soft lighting can add a warm and intimate ambience to the celebration. You can also choose a theme that reflects a warm, romantic atmosphere, so your tablescape looks more put together.

Birthdays:

  • Choose a theme: Birthdays are a great opportunity to have fun with table styling by choosing a specific theme, such as a favourite colour, hobby or movie. This can help tie everything together and create a cohesive look.
  • Use bold and playful decor: Birthdays are a chance to be playful with table decor. Use bold and bright colours, confetti and balloons to create a fun and festive atmosphere.

Weddings:

  • Use elegant centrepieces: Centerpieces are often the focal point of wedding table decor. Choose elegant and romantic floral arrangements or candles to create a soft and intimate ambience. To ensure a stunning setup, find a wedding decor supplier that provides high-quality table decorations for hire or sale.
  • Consider using natural elements: This is an excellent tip for styling a rustic wedding table. You can Incorporate natural elements like greenery, wood, and stone to create a rustic and organic look that's perfect for outdoor or garden weddings. Then again, this is optional, depending on your wedding theme.
  • Add personal touches: Personalise the table settings with details representing the couple, such as custom place cards or favours that reflect their interests or hobbies.

No matter the occasion, incorporating thoughtful and cohesive table styling can elevate any event and create a memorable and beautiful experience for guests.

More on Weddings - How to Style Reception Tables Like a Pro

mr and mrs letters on wedding reception table

When it comes to table settings, wedding receptions are a whole different ball game. There are many factors to consider – the tablecloth, the napkins, the cutlery, the table runners, and the overall theme... everything matters.

When it comes to wedding themes, matching the reception tablescape is especially important as it creates a cohesive and visually appealing atmosphere for your guests. Not only does a gorgeously-styled, in-theme table complement all of your wedding elements, but it can also enhance the entire reception experience, creating a memorable and cohesive look.

For instance, a rustic wedding theme can be beautifully reflected through the use of natural elements like wood and greenery. To enhance the overall aesthetic, it's important to carefully choose a colour palette that captures the warm and earthy essence of rustic weddings. Consider incorporating shades of brown such as rich chocolate, warm caramel and rustic taupe as a grounding base. Muted greens and soft blues, like sage green, mossy green and dusty blue, can add a touch of tranquillity and complement the natural elements. To add pops of interest and personality, consider warm accent hues like burnt orange, deep red, or golden yellow. By thoughtfully selecting a colour palette that aligns with the rustic wedding theme, couples can create a unique and personalised ambience that enhances the beauty of the event.

Similarly, a boho theme might incorporate vibrant colours and eclectic patternsDon’t be afraid to mix and match different designs. Apart from patterned table linens, you can also use textured ones to give your tablescape a more organic feel. For your centrepiece, use interesting elements such as bright flowers, fruits, or pieces of painted driftwood. This way, every table you decorate tells a unique story about you as a couple. And don’t forget about the small details. After all, coloured glasses or shiny gold cutlery can add a bit of extra sparkle to your bohemian-inspired wedding tables.

Thinking of how to style your reception tables may be a bit overwhelming right now. But don't worry. We've got you covered. Follow our table styling tips and tricks to create a tablescape that will wow your guests and set the tone for a truly memorable wedding reception.

1. Choose Your Tablecloth Wisely

One of the most important decisions you'll make when styling your wedding reception table is what tablecloth to choose. The tablecloth sets the tone for the rest of the table setting, so it's essential to choose one that matches the overall theme and feel of your wedding.

A white tablecloth is always a safe bet for a more formal look. But if you want to add a little personality and style to your table, go for something with a bit more colour or pattern. Just make sure that whatever you choose coordinates well with the rest of your wedding table settings.

2. Consider Your Napkins

olive green napkin on plate with gold cutlery

The napkins you choose for your wedding table setting will also play a crucial role in setting the tone for the overall look. Again, white napkins are always a good choice if you want a more formal look. But if you want to add a pop of colour or pattern, go for coloured or patterned napkins. You can also choose from different materials to highlight a different texture.

Get creative with the way you fold your napkins. A simple fold can make all the difference in the overall look of your table. You can do something simple for a laid-back style or try a more complex folding technique to add interesting focal points. There are so many different ways to fold napkins for a table setting, so take some time to experiment and see what looks best.

3. Select the Right Cutlery

When it comes to wedding table settings, cutlery is often an afterthought. But the truth is, the type of cutlery you choose can significantly impact the overall look of your table. For a more formal look, opt for classic silver cutlery. But if you want to add a bit of personality to your table, go for different coloured cutlery.

4. Dress Up Your Table Runners

Table runners are a great way to add a pop of colour or pattern to your table setting. They also help to tie the whole look together and make it feel more cohesive. To achieve a more formal look, opt for classic white table runners. But if you want to add some personality to your table, go for coloured runners.

Choose softer-toned runners to highlight a romantic atmosphere. If you're going for a rustic or beach-themed reception, choose an earth-toned palette with pops of colour in shades of green, blue, coral and lavender.

5. Accessorise Your Table

rustic style table setting with light pink accessories

Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to start accessorising your table set up to reflect your wedding theme. This is where you can really start to get creative and have fun with your table setting. There are no rules for table decorations, so use your imagination and go wild.

Some popular table accessories include flowers, candles, lanterns, vases, and place cards. But really, the sky's the limit regarding table decorations. So get creative and have fun with it. Incorporate a mix of varying heights for your decorations, and create a blend of different textures and materials but don't forget to keep everything practical to keep your table looking fantastic yet functional.

6. Put It All Together and Make It Instagrammable!

To create a beautiful tablescape fit for Insta-worthy snaps, do the following:

  1. Start by carefully placing the tablecloth and arranging the napkins, cutlery, table runners, and accessories.
  2. Consider adding pops of colour and texture with vibrant floral arrangements or unique tableware to make the tablescape visually striking.
  3. Experiment with different compositions, angles, and perspectives to find the most visually appealing arrangement.
  4. Pay attention to lighting, whether it's utilising natural light or experimenting with artificial lighting to create a warm and inviting ambience.
  5. Take a step back to ensure a clutter-free space that allows each element to shine.
  6. Capture both close-up shots of intricate details and wider shots that showcase the overall beauty of the table setting.

Following these tips will help you create an impressive tablescape that your guests will love sharing online!

Additional Tip - Choose the Right Table Decor

Choosing the correct table elements when styling a table for any event is crucial in creating the desired atmosphere and setting the tone for the occasion. The table elements, including tablecloths, centrepieces, tableware and chairs, should be carefully selected to complement the event's overall theme and enhance the guest experience.

For instance, if the event is a formal dinner or a corporate event, choosing classic table elements such as elegant tablecloths, silverware, and crystal glasses can create an atmosphere of sophistication and refinement. Alternatively, for a rustic-themed event, opting for natural wooden tableware, wildflowers, and burlap table runners can create a cosy and warm ambience.

Learning how to choose the right type of table decor for an event can help ensure that the decorations are appropriate, aesthetically pleasing and create the desired ambience. By understanding the different styles of events and the right decor for each, you can create unforgettable experiences for your guests.

Get Beautiful Wedding Table Decorations at Organic Events Supply Co

Now that you’ve got some tips and ideas for your tablescape, it’s time to source your materials from trusted suppliers. At Organic Events Supply Co, we supply beautiful, top-quality rustic wedding table decorations in Australia, all available for sale or hire. We have everything you need to create a beautiful style, from placemats to table runners, table napkins and cutlery sets.

Going beyond supplying themed table decorations, we also provide helpful tips that may help you with your event planning. For instance, if you are planning a rustic wedding, we have helpful guides that can kickstart your planning process. Explore more of our blogs today to see how our expertise can help you design a celebration that speaks to your heart.

About the Author

Organic Events Supply Co is not only a trusted supplier of high-quality table decorations in Australia but also your partner in curating memorable rustic or boho-themed events, with weddings being our specialty. Our diverse range ensures that every table tells its own tale, embodying the ambience and emotion you aim to convey. Whether you're seeking to purchase or simply hire, our comprehensive collection promises to meet your every need. 

Beyond just products, we pride ourselves on sharing insights, trends, and inspirations to help make your event truly unforgettable. If you're eager to dive deeper into the art of tablescaping and event themes, don't hesitate to explore more of our blogs. With every read, you'll find a treasure trove of advice, ensuring your tablescapes are the talk of the town! Browse our online shop today, and let's embark on this creative journey together.

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