Unique Wedding Tablescapes

Unique wedding tablescapes offer a world of creative opportunities for you to share your love and personalities, hobbies and stories. 

Think photography, painting, music, cars, motorcycles, reading, drones, wine tasting, travel, writing, dance, puzzles, camping, hiking, any sport, pottery, yoga, baking and birdwatching.

The list goes on . . .

These provide rich material for fantastic, personalized, unique and unforgettable wedding tablescapes.

Any hobby or theme you can think of sparks accessories for your wedding tables.

Gardening

If you love gardens and gardening, have your wedding reception at a botanical garden or at a local property that has enviable gardens.

Use new gardening tools, clay pots with flowers, seed packages, watering cans, personalized garden flags, and garden stepping stones as table decor.

Small battery-operated table fountains complemented by greenery, and personalized garden aprons, hats, and gloves are more ideas.

Many cities will have beautiful spaces for your wedding reception.

For example, while not a garden, the Jacksonville, Florida Public Library has a beautiful rooftop area for a wedding. The Denver Botanical Gardens in Colorado is a lovely wedding venue. The Mission Inn, Riverside, California, has a beautiful flowered courtyard perfect for garden lovers.

Reading

Stacks of old books wrapped with ribbon, complemented by feather pens and vintage inkwells, make a beautiful centerpiece for the wedding of book lovers.

An antique typewriter as part of the table decor will be a conversation starter.

A selection of notecards placed around the table is an invitation for guests to write well-wishes to you. This is a fun activity and helps to relax your guests, who may be in the company of strangers.

As an alternative, you could pre-print love quotes or words of appreciation directed toward your guests.

Add vintage reading glasses, a magnifying glass, quill pens, and even include a book reader or iPad if you feel these more modern elements would complement your style.

Using iconic props from movies based on books is another creative idea for your tables.

Think of the 1937 autobiographical book by Karen Blixen, Out of Africa. This brings exotic animals, safari hats, and binoculars to mind.

The 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada, suggests all types and styles of shoes, hats, purses, belts, jewelry, scarves, etc. What fun you can have with the spectrum of possibilities using these fashion statements. A creative florist can craft a beautiful flower arrangement coming out of elegant high-heel shoes.

In 1998, Nicholas Sparks wrote the romance novel, Message in a Bottle. This memorabilia is the perfect way to use lots of bottles of all shapes, sizes and colors, each with its own message in it.

Guests could write those messages as well wishes to the happy couple, or the bride and groom could place quotes in the bottles for guests to share.

The messages could also be fortune notes for each of the guests.

Travel

Toy airplanes, cars, buses, boats, trains and bicycles are great table accessories for those who love to travel. 

Accent these items with postcards, souvenirs, and items such as a globe of the world, passport holders, a piece of small luggage, and expired airline tickets.

The luggage could hold flowers and other table accessories.

Roaring 20s Glamour

The Roaring Twenties evoke images of art déco patterns, glamorous decor, and the Jazz Age.

Incorporating elements like feather centerpieces, tiaras, long gloves, long pearl necklaces, anything lace, vintage candelabras, period jewelry, and metallic accents can create a sophisticated and glamorous tablescape.

Vintage 50s and 60s Charm

Vintage charm and youthful exuberance characterize the 1950s and 60s.

Couples can incorporate elements like vinyl records, vintage china, and retro-colored glassware to create a nostalgic and playful atmosphere.

Ties, hats, old radios, poodle skirts, Elvis memorabilia, the Mickey Mouse Club, Popeye, vinyl records like 45s, and album covers are reflective of this era.

Silly putty, TV dinners, and Western television shows also generate decorative ideas using cowboy hats, cowboy boots, and horse saddles.

Creating Special Tables for Honored Guests

Creating a special table for honored guests is a thoughtful way to make them feel loved and appreciated on your wedding day.

These tables can serve as a meaningful tribute to those who are important to you.

Choose decor that suits the personalities, interests, and era of those you are honoring.

Memorial Centers and Tables for Loved Ones

A memorial center or table is a beautiful way to honor loved ones who are no longer with us.

Select a quiet place, in a location that will attract attention.

Meaningful decor elements might include a memory book, personal photographs, special cards and letters, favorite flowers, a candle or candelabra, and special items that your loved one created.

As an example, my wife’s mother during her life painted hundreds of hand-selected stones, inscribing a single message of love on each stone.

She left a stone at restaurants, on a counter in a store, or gave one personally to a new friend.

Recently, my wife reproduced several of her mom's stones and featured them on a table at the 50th wedding anniversary of her brother.

It was a lovely tribute to my wife’s mom.

You can do the same using items that reflect the personality and heart of those important to you.

Considering Venue Constraints and Opportunities

Finally, keep in mind that the venue can influence your wedding tablescape.

A destination wedding will limit the tablescape decor as you will have to transport the items.

Consider the size and shape of the tables, the lighting, and the overall ambiance of the space.

Some venues will have restrictions. Make sure you read the contract to see what is permitted, and what isn't.

Avoid having an unforeseen restriction ruin your plans.

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