When it comes to seated affairs, the look of a tablescape makes a significant impression on attendees. Decorative arrangements adorning tabletops have great powers to set a mood, nod to a theme, and even bring an event's mission to life. Of course, the food is really meant to be the focal point, but a detailed and thoughtful table design goes a long way in creating memorable—and photo-worthy—moments.
Scroll to get inspired by the tablescape designs that caught our eye this year...
In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas
Photo: Show Ready Photo
An April dinner for editors and influencers to celebrate the launch of Fairmont's new book, Grand by Nature, made for a glamorous evening at Rockefeller Center. Our favorite design detail? You guessed it—this impressive tablescape with florals encased in ice. These striking centerpieces were made by Okamoto Studio with colorful blooms from The Mini Rose Co. "The idea was not to use white flowers but to bring color to the scape," explained Elizabeth Harrison, CEO and co-founder of H&S Communications (whose brand experience and experiential marketing division Studio HS produced the event).
Photo: Kato Ceaser
The Grand by Nature book itself was also encased in ice with florals matching its cover to add an extra wow factor. Surrounding the ice sculptures were fruit, figs, and moss to lean into the nature-inspired evening. In a personalized touch, at each place setting, guests were greeted with a bookmark engraved with their name. See more: How Fairmont Hotels Brought the Brand's History to Life During Intimate Book Launch Event in NYC
Photo: Kato Ceaser
To promote its new retinol collection last November, beauty brand Bliss teamed up with influencer Tinx to host a Y2K, nostalgia-inspired launch party in Los Angeles. The Y2K “theme was driven by the uptick in popularity surrounding all things nostalgia," Bliss' chief brand officer, Tina Pozzi, told BizBash at the time. To bring the theme to life, the event’s tablescape featured nods to the year 2000, including a tabletop made from empty CD cases, adorned with candy necklaces, Polaroid cameras, and lucite shades in the center—all in the collection’s lavender and white color scheme. See more: See Inside This Beauty Brand’s Poppin' Y2K-Inspired Launch Party
Photo: Courtesy of Bliss
In May, Australian event planning company Event Society invited 150 local and international event profs to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) to show off the venue's opulent Emerald Room. The tablescape leaned into the room's namesake color, with emerald linens and flatware, crystal glassware, and over-the-top arrangements of live greenery and lush roses. See more: Trend Spotted: How Companies Are Enticing Attendees Through Memorable Foodie Experiences
Photo: Courtesy of Event Society
Is it any surprise that one of our recent favorite tablescapes comes from a 2022 BizBash Industry Innovator? Robin Selden, managing partner and executive chef for Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering, shared this snap with us earlier this year, depicting a memorable celebration. With her team and designer Anthony Tacetta, Selden produced a French-inspired anniversary party in the Hamptons. “We built an open kitchen in a tent. It was magical,” she said. If the $3,000 worth of new pots and pans hung to immerse attendees in the environment wasn't enough, the tables featured striking French newspaper designs. See more: Industry Innovators 2022: Robin Selden
Photo: Courtesy of Marcia Selden Catering & Events
When it came to planning her wedding in Kingston, N.Y., Whitney Headen—the co-founder and CEO of creative agency 19th & Park—couldn't help but use her experiential mindset. The result was “Camp Madikane,” a three-day gathering at Hutton Brickyards, a sprawling retreat with luxury cabins and waterfront views. The New York glam-inspired reception featured oversized floral arrangements from Javier Valentino, who created bold designs that were the perfect complement to the monochrome tablescape. See more: 6 Things This Brand Marketer Learned From Planning Her Own Wedding
Photo: Stanley Babb/Stanlo Photography
In April, Harbor Entertainment infused Norton Museum of Art’s 2022 gala with bright colors and textiles as a nod to the South Florida museum’s Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism exhibit. Mexican textile manufacturer Nua Fabrics custom made floral linens for the tables to honor the beautifully embroidered clothing Kahlo was known for wearing, some of which was on display at the museum's exhibit. Along with the bold linens, the use of a different material for the chargers, compared to the usual porcelain dinnerware, was a standout. See more: This Art Museum Gala Used Vibrant Decor to Celebrate Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera
Photo: Capehart Photography
An unexpected material was also used for chargers at this March event in Washington, D.C., where Ridgewells Catering invited hospitality clients—including planners for corporate, wedding, and social events—to The Showroom in the city's downtown area. Seagrass chargers served as a base for Something Vintage's handmade stoneware plates in a deep green hue. Plaid tablecloths from La Tavola Fine Linen provided a striking graphic element. See more: 10 Springtime Event Ideas From Erin Go Glam
Photo: Ronald Flores Photography
In September, the 2022 Klick Ideas Exchange brought art, design, and technology together for an unforgettable conference, boasting a design that personified the intersection of the three industries. Attendees didn't have to look any further than the tabletops to see this in action. The use of industrial, science lab-like tables and beakers as vases—paired with sparse botanical elements—was a simple and effective way to combine the themes. See more: Klick Ideas Exchange 2022 Celebrated the Intersection of Art, Design, and Tech
Photo: Courtesy of Klick Health
Just last month in New York's Lower East Side, Advertising Week 2022 played host to off-stage events, including this multi-sensory dining experience hosted by Cloudy Bay at Hudson Commons. To celebrate the launch of the winemaker's 2022 sauvignon blanc, an undulating table setup boasted tabletops inspired by the landscapes of New Zealand, where Cloudy Bay is based. Event design and production was helmed by Mazarine NYC. See more: 3 Industry-Transcending Takeaways From Advertising Week New York 2022
