When it comes to creating a wedding day that feels truly personal, your tablescape design plays a bigger role than most couples realise. It’s all about telling a story, setting a mood, and creating a space your guests will remember celebrating with you.
As a wedding planner I spend a lot of time thinking about how the table looks and feels. When your guests sit down for dinner, what ambience, entertainment and vibe do you want in your reception space? These are all elements we have a conversation about so I can help you craft the perfect setting.
If you’re dreaming of an elegant, luxury wedding tablescape that not only reflects your style, but is a part of your guest experience – I’m sharing with you my unique planning approach.
1. Start with the atmosphere or mood you want to create
Before diving into colour palettes or floral styles, take a step back and think about the mood you want your tables to evoke. Are you drawn to something classic and romantic, a family-style relaxed dining experience or a modern and black tie affair?
I always ask my couples: what do you want your guests to feel when they walk into the room? Cosy and intimate, dramatic and wow-worthy that their phones come out to take photos or polished and romantic for an elegant feast? Once you’ve nailed the feeling you want the space to become, designing the individual elements falls into place.
For this editorial we wanted the design to feel like a romantic summer garden party that feels relaxed yet refined. The pastel tones, soft textures, and walled garden setting created a really serene, almost dreamlike atmosphere. We balanced the greenery of the backdrop with ivory and cream tableware and pops of cornflower blue flowers for a whimsical touch. The choice of Louis chairs reflected the manor house in the background and added comfort and colour to the overall space.
Your wedding venue will naturally guide you with colours, styles and aesthetics for your tablescape, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think outside the box. In a historic ballroom you can add modern ghost chairs, large hanging floral installations and add movement and colour to the space.
If the walls of your manor house are pale blue, think about adding contrast colours in the patterns of your linens, or pops of fuchsia pink in your flowers to add design and personality to the space.
When we work together there’s no limit to what we can create together, and we chat through all of your options in our planning and design sessions together.
3. Choose a colour palette that works with your entire wedding
One of the biggest mistakes I see is couples choosing a separate colour scheme for the reception tables that doesn’t flow with the rest of the day.
Instead, think of your tablescape as a continuation of your ceremony style. If your bouquet is full of soft whites and pale blues, bring that into the place settings. If your stationery has gold detailing, echo this with gold candlesticks or cutlery. This creates a cohesive, elevated wedding aesthetic that ties every element together beautifully.
4. Mix textures for a layered, luxurious feel
The key to a high-end, bespoke tablescape design is all in the layering.
Combine high quality linens with napkins that either match in colour or texture. Table runners can be added for a pop of colour or to add shape and movement as the base for your design elements. Layering your place setting adds patterns, texture and colour through charger plate design, bespoke glassware and cutlery options. Each element adds personality to your tablescape without competing for attention.
After planning and designing over 200 weddings, it’s the small details that can make the biggest impact on the overall look and vibe of your reception space. Opting for high quality linens, charger plates beneath dinnerware, varying heights in your candles and statement centrepieces – these are the design choices that make all the difference.
5. Don’t underestimate functionality
You can have fun creating a beautiful tablescape, but it still needs to be functional and comfortable for your guests. That means being mindful of your floral arrangements heights and sizes so you don’t block sightlines and discourage conversation on the table. Chairs should suit the space, venue and aesthetic but not if they are uncomfortable to guests or impractical.
As your wedding planner it’s also my role to consider the flow of service, space on the tables for water and wine, and placement in the room around exits. Practical design choices like the size and placement of your table names, position and safety of candles and number of guests per table are all planning choices I help you to think through.
6. Work with trusted suppliers
Your florist, tableware hire company, linen supplier, and stationer are the experts in their fields. Once you’ve shared your vision and ideas, let them offer suggestions and ways to make your tablescape personal and unique.They can often share more custom concepts and out of the box options that you didn’t know were possible.
At its heart, a luxury wedding tablescape is about more than aesthetics, it’s about creating a shared experience. One that invites your guests in, reflects your personalities, and becomes part of the overall atmosphere of the day.
If you’d love support in pulling everything together for your bespoke wedding tablescape, I’d love to hear about your creative vision. Get in touch with me today to work together to bring your dream wedding to life.
Supplier Credits
Photography: @heleddrobertsphoto
Planner: @lmjweddingplanner
Venue: @garthmylhall
Cake: @mybeespokebakehouse
Florals: @labeaufleurs
Videographer: @joelparryweddingfilms
Hair: @jennidavis_bridal
Make-up: @glamedbyellie
Dresses: @timeless.bridal
Suits: @masuit_menswear
Tableware and chairs: @optionsgreathire
Linens: @chateaunoireventhire
Napkins: @bespoke_table_dressing
Stationery: @jbcweddingstationery
Accessories: @opheliarenbridal
Shoes: @harrietwildeshoes
Ring box and wax seals: @lightatelier.uk
Ring: @saraloisjewellery
Models: @theellison_fosters
