Tablescapes - How to set a beautiful dining table at your wedding reception

Tablescapes are an essential part of your wedding day. They help to create atmosphere, set a tone, create a mood, anchor your design aesthetic and personal style. Bringing your wedding day vision to life is quite the undertaking and can be overwhelming. Handling all of these details on your own and trying to get them just right, nailing every detail … cue the stress!

It is e easy to get lost in all the dreamy inspiration and exciting details out there! While some of these details can be quite mundane to sort out, they are an integral part of your wedding reception. That’s why we here at Sue Gallo Designs have gathered some handy advice and put together a reception dining table checklist. Details that you should consider as you dive into your design aesthetic.

Essential Decor 

You’ve been scrolling through Instagram, pinning on Pinterest … but before you dive into planning your decor, you need to consider these standard elements for your dining tables.

While basic, they are a great starting point to begin planning your tablescape. If you have chosen to celebrate your wedding reception at a venue, basic table top elements will be included in your package. While choosing to wed at home or a non traditional reception venue, these are key and essential elements you will need to incorporate.

• Dining Tables + Chairs

• Table Linen + Napkins

• Glassware, Flatware + Plateware

• Centerpiece

• Candle Decor

• Table Numbers

Luxury Details

Now that we have covered the basic tabletop details, you can consider up scaling the look of your dining tables. Love details, looking for a unique tablescape and to personalise your guests dining experience. Luxury tabletop details are the perfect way to incorporate your wedding day aesthetic, colour palette and personality to your wedding reception.

• Custom Coloured Table Linen + Napkins

• Custom Chairs

• Custom Dining Tables

• Custom Flatware, Glassware, Chargers + Dinnerware

• Individual Place Cards

• Customised Menus

• Gift Wrapped Wedding Favours

• Upscaled Floral Designs + Decor Elements

Place Setting Details

A well set dining table is important, especially if you are planning a formal sit down meal.

• Dinner plates 

• Salad plates 

• Bread plates

• Flatware — salad fork, dinner fork, steak knife, butter knife, teaspoon, soup spoon, cake fork

• Glassware — water glass, wine glass, champagne flutes 

• Napkins - consider a unique fold for more table top personality

A few things to consider

Your meal service - Take into consideration the meal you will be serving at your reception. If not serving soup, you will not require a soup spoon at your pace setting. I always suggest that you confirm with your venue and/or caterer what type of flatware you will require for your place setting. No point cluttering up your dining table with extra champagne flutes if you are not serving champagne during dinner.

Centerpieces 

I am not gonna lie, this is my favourite element of a tablescape! This is where the real fun begins for us here at Sue Gallo Designs. Planning your centrepieces and table top decor. Your table centrepieces are essential to bring your vision to life. The focal point on your dining table. They are statement pieces that anchor your look and wedding day aesthetic that enhances your over all reception design. Think lovely and low floral arrangements, elevated and grand centrepieces, long and lush floral runners … gathered bottles with the prettiest blooms. The possibilities are endless.

Accent Decor 

Dressing your reception tables will greatly enhance your over all look. While these elements are dreamy, that are not essential to your over all vision. Remember you have all the other elements listed above to help bring your vision to life. But if you love detail, you will want to carefully consider what you are incorporating and how it will impact your wedding day aesthetic.

Remember not to over crowd your dining tables, or gather to many un-cohesive elements that it looks like Pinterest just tossed a garage sale all over your table. Not kidding … this really happens!

• Mood lighting — taper, pillar, floating or votive candles

• Candlestick holders 

• Candelabras

• Lanterns

• Table Numbers

• Menu Holders

• Place Card Holders

• Fresh Fruit

• Centerpiece Vessels

• Floral Stands
  
  
  

The Perfect Table

There you have it! Every detail taken care of. While everyone will have their own unique visions, prioritise some elements over others, the basic needs are all the same, and your dining tables should be complete and beautiful!

As a full service fresh floral + event design firm, Sue Gallo Designs is here to help you plan the most amazing details and bring all the pretty to your wedding day. So, if you are still looking for advice, help to bring your vision to life - give us a ring. We would love nothing more than to help you wed beautifully!

Creative Team

Fresh Florals, Candle Decor, Styling SUE GALLO DESIGNS

Photography CLOUD 9 PHOTOGRAPHY | Planning, Coordinating, Event Management LAURA OLSEN EVENTS | Venue THE PEARLE HOTEL BY PEARLE WEDDINGS | Table Top Details SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL DECOR | Chair Rental SPECIAL EVENTS RENTALS | Stationery STATUE RUE | Wedding Cake SWEET CELEBRATIONS | Beauty AMANDA ZACK | Gown THE MODERN BRIDE