When it comes to creating a festive wedding, your tables should be one of the main focal points of your big day. From choosing your theme to dressing your chairs, there are many ways you can add that Christmassy vibe. On today’s post, we have Kerry Ferris of AB Event Hire who gives us her top tips and advice on Christmas table styling and how to add those personal touches to your luxury Christmas wedding…
“There is nothing more magical than a Christmas wedding, with many ideas to transform your wedding into a spectacular Christmas wonderland! Sometimes the thought of styling the tables for your wedding breakfast could feel overwhelming, but don’t panic! We have some ideas and tips to help you plan the most beautiful tablespaces your guests will ever see.”
Theme
“First things first, what will be your theme & colour pallet? There are endless ideas you could use relating to Christmas and a winter wedding, whether it be a classic gold & red holly berry, a Scandi Nordic look to a white winter wonderland experience. When choosing a theme and colour, decide on something which feels personal to you and your partner, and works with your venue. Start collecting images, putting together a scrapbook or Pinterest board of your ideas! This is great to show the different suppliers your vision.”
Tables
“There are a few different table layouts you could use for your wedding breakfast. Round tables are traditional but great for your guests to speak to everyone and to have a bit more legroom. Trestle tables allow more people to fit around them, they are great for socialising but don’t always work with all venues. Then there are oval and square tables, which are less popular probably due to venue space and supply of the tables.”
Chairs
“Your guests need to be comfortable, as they will be sitting for a long time during your wedding breakfast. Most venues supply their basic chairs, however, there are lots of different styles to hire too! A popular wedding choice is the Chiavari chair which comes in various colours, they also have a seat pad that can match your colour scheme. Cross back chairs are very stylish and probably more comfortable, they too come in different colours and can have cushions or rattan seat pads.”
“How will you dress your chairs? This is a great way to bring your theme into all areas of your wedding breakfast. You could hang a little Christmas wreath, mistletoe, bells, or big bow to the back of your chair.”
Linen
“Once your theme and table shape has been decided on, you can then choose the linen. There are some great tablecloths in all colours and textures. For a round table, you could layer tablecloths, have colour underneath a classic white, it’s a subtle way to match your colour pallet and a dramatic look if the cloth falls to the floor. Table runners are very popular, they can work on both round and trestle, they give your tables a pop of colour and texture, without covering the whole area. Napkins can play an important part in your tablescape, they are a very easy and cost-effective way to weave another colour onto your table. You could pick out an accent colour to match the napkins, which could tie different ideas together.”
Flowers & foliage
“A wedding reception wouldn’t be complete without flowers on the table! florals are the best ways to bring all your ideas together, adding colour, textures, shapes and of course they look and smell incredible. A Christmas wedding can incorporate all the beautiful festive foliage and pretty winter flowers. why not have a fir, eucalyptus and mistletoe runner along a trestle table, then add in elements like pinecones, small baubles, faux foliage in golds/silvers etc. The beauty of a fir runner is it will allow itself to work with all themes once the personal touches have been added to it. For a round table, you could have a circular wreath in the middle, which again can incorporate the small elements from your theme. Another thing to remember is to use what is in season, your florist will be able to advise you on this. You could use small potted plants too, the pretty winter cyclamens come in many colours, they could double up as thank you gift to certain guests, or to be planted in your garden after the wedding as a lasting memory.”
Centrepieces
“So, you have the table, linen, flowers and now it’s time for the centrepiece! One important thing to remember is to think about the height of the centrepiece. Your guests need to be able to see each other, without a great big candelabra or flower arrangement blocking their view! If you create different heights on the tables, then your guests’ eyes will be drawn around the room and not to one level within the venue. Balance of the table is important too, using odd numbers of items, creates a much more pleasing effect on the eye. Your flowers could act as your centrepiece or the focus. Creating different heights on your table will make it visually interesting, candles are a great way to achieve a variety of heights, they can add different hues, tints, and tones, and also create a beautiful romantic ambience. A Christmas tablescape wouldn’t be complete without some fairy lights intertwined around the foliage, and the main centrepiece.”
Crockery
“Next, we set the table! a great tablescape is all about layers, layers & layers!! Charger plates add a special element to the table, they can add textures and colours without overpowering the setting. Most of the time, the main plate isn’t on the table, so the charger plate creates a place setting for your guest. Cutlery now comes in all colours and styles too, which you can hire if your venue doesn’t supply it, don’t forget there are lots of ways you can layout your cutlery on your setting. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your plates, this will create a focal point for your guests and will get them excited to sit down before the food arrives.”
“Different glass styles combined also gives another element of height and texture to the table. A tall champagne flute, a round wine goblet with a pattern on and a short, coloured water tumbler could really create a lovely aspect to your setting. Have you thought about coloured glasses? These are very popular; one coloured glass could bring your concept into the place setting.”
Personal Touches
“The table has been set, now it’s time to add the all-important personal touches. Table names are a great way to make a link to you & your partner on your special day. Stationery is a creative way to bring everything together on the table, the name place cards could be on your plate, attached to your cutlery or placed on your napkin. A beautiful gift for your guest could be a personalised cracker, bow or napkin. This would be something to keep for years to come, they would also double up as name place cards. Will you have favours on the table? These could be personalised too, like cookies with names on them, or a handmade Christmas decoration or a handmade Christmas scented candle. A fun idea for each table to get your guests chatting could be a quiz, it could be Christmas related or questions about the couple.”
“Lastly don’t forget a piece of mistletoe for all the Christmas love!”
The Team – 7 Christmas Table Styling Tips for your Luxury Christmas Wedding
Photographer Debbie Hare Photography @debbieharephotography
Planning Styling and Tableware AB Event Hire @ab_hire_event / Florist Chobham Flowers @chobhamflowers / Catering Didi and Dot @didianddot / Cake Iced Innovations @icedinnovations / Sweet treats Cakes You Happy @cakesyouhappy / Stationery and Candles Lucca Studios @lucca_studios / Christmas Trees Mela Certe @merla.certe / Cocktails Bitter Sweet Bartenders @bittersweetbartenders / Ceramic decorations Red Cat Creations @red.cat.creations / Embroidered crackers & bows The Embroidered Napkin Company @theembroiderednapkincompany
IF YOU LOVED THESE CHRISTMAS TABLE STYLING IDEAS THEN PIN THEM TO YOUR WEDDING BOARDS
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