Vintage wedding tablescape in barn in upstate New York

Wedding Tablescape Ideas & Helpful Tips

When it comes to your wedding tablescape, there are so many different directions to go in. Are you feeling the overwhelm?

I get it as a NY wedding planner at The Maples Estate, an upstate New York wedding venue specializing in weekend wedding packages, many of our clients ask us about designing their tablescape! Design elements can send your head spinning while browsing Pinterest or scrolling through images of million dollar weddings on instagram! So come back down to earth, center yourself and remember, this is YOUR wedding and YOU decide what setting feels right for you! This is where the fun part comes in as you get to showcase your personality and build a design that speaks directly to you!!

Let’s first talk through the elements of your wedding tablescape!

Tables & Linens

Here at The Maples Estate, we include both wooden and plastic rectangular banquet tables in your rental as well as cocktail rounds. The plastic tables and cocktail rounds do require linens, but that means you can get creative with colors, patterns and textures! Linens come in many different styles with various price points and can be rented, provided by your caterer or even purchased if you have a future use for them. Our vendor list includes both rental companies and specialty linen rentals and you can also check with your caterer to confirm if linens are included in your contract.

Looking for something a little different? Wooden tables come in many different shapes and sizes are a really fun look. If you want something other than those we provide onsite, there are lots of rental companies offering different styles. Check out our vendor list to locate tables that match your unique aesthetic. You can even find assorted vintage tables through a specialty rental company - checkout their inventory to see the different styles we offer!

Don’t forget napkins!

**See our breakdown of included tables and chairs and linen sizing.

Florals

Fresh, colorful flowers are a great way to bring visual design to your tables. From greenery to small and large centerpieces, bud vases and hanging installations, each come with a different price point and aesthetic. You will want to talk to your florist about the specific colors for your wedding design, flowers you are allergic to, those you love, those you hate, textures and fullness of the design and also the budget you are looking to work within. With common flowers used throughout your wedding design from your ceremony to cocktail hour and reception, many of these vases or ceremony backdrops can be repurposed at your reception.

Keep in mind that many florists have a minimum rate and you will want to confirm this amount before signing your contract. If you have a smaller budget you may want to work with an a la carte florist.

Candles

We love candles but it is VERY common for a candle to catch something on fire, especially when guests are drinking, dancing and mingling. If you are looking to have candles in your tablescape design at The Maples Estate - you will need to plan ahead.

Votives need to have 1/3 of the vase above the top of the candle. We have seen menus and table cloths catch fire, so giving some space for that flame to burn inside the vase is needed.

Tapers will need to be secured in the candle holder by melting the base of the candle and placing it in the holder while hot. We also require they have glass votives around them such as a hurricane vase, so if a candle falls you know it won't catch the table on fire. It’s always good to confirm the height and width of these vases as we have had instances where the vases were shorter than the candle in the stand and would not fit around the candle holder.

Candles are messy and wax builds up quickly on tablecloths. Confirm with your linen rental if they allow candles with use of their linens. The best way to avoid this is to choose a vase with a closed base. Talk to your florist or rental company to see if they offer candle packages!

Good news! Candle vases will also limit the draft from wind and will minimize how quickly they will drip - keeping them lit longer!

Dishware

Wanting a pop of color, a vintage aesthetic or a modern look? Dishware is a great place to showcase your personality and rental companies offer different styles for dinner, salad and dessert plates, glassware and silverware. Some caterers include these items in your package, (a great way to save money) but it’s best to confirm the look ahead of time to ensure these items match your design aesthetic.

Signage

Signage such as table numbers, seating assignments and menu cards are often placed among your wedding tablescape. There are many different options for this signage from printed paper to wooden or acrylic displays and you can get as creative as you like to match your design aesthetic. Are you skipping assigned seating and serving a buffet? Scratch the signage all together for a more relaxed setting.

Fun & Personalized Elements

Do you love books or movies? Antiques? Photography? Walking on the Beach? Travel? Board Games? Legos? Animals? There are so many ways to incorporate your loves into your table design through physical elements. We have seen board games distributed at each table, Polaroid table numbers, driftwood displays, disposable cameras, crayons and more! Not only are these elements a little taste of your personality, they can also serve as activities for your guests throughout the evening.

Table Layout

Don’t forget to think through your event layout when determining your table design. This will help to confirm quantities needed for any physical items on the tables. Do you wish to have one long family style table, a rectangle, grid pattern, clusters of tables, etc.

If you are totally overwhelmed by the idea of tables and want a more intimate and relaxed feel, why not scratch the tables all together and opt for vintage lounge furniture and cocktail tables instead!

Wedding Tablescape Ideas & Inspiration

Vintage Cowboy Inspired

This vintage wooden table surrounded by assorted chairs offers a calming country aesthetic with vintage plates and glassware, beeswax candles in copper holders, dried florals, deer antlers, a birds nest, table number and menus on theme.

Wedding tablescape featuring vintage dishware in barn

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Modern Black & Gold

This micro wedding utilized a black and gold theme with rented wooden tables and dense colorful florals at two heights. Table numbers, seating assignments and menus were designed for a modern look and black plates were purchased by the couple to match their aesthetic.

Wedding tablescape at The Maples Estate in Upstate New York

Wedding tablescape at The Maples Estate for wedding layout

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Retro Artistic Vibes

This colorful, retro design incorporated vibrant florals in bud vases, driftwood centerpieces with Polaroid table numbers, moss, hand poured crayons and disco balls. The couple also purchased assorted vintage place settings and silverware from thrift stores.

Colorful florals on wedding tablescape in upstate ny

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Green & White

This reception focused on classic green and white elements with eucalyptus table runners, rented wooden farm tables, wine bottle table numbers on hand made clay holders with fairy lights. A simple yet elegant setting.