Nominations are now open for the 12th Annual EEAs!

It's time to make your mark. Nominations are now open for the 12th Annual Event Experience Awards!

Vegetable Garden Grows in Gala Tabletop

May 22, 2013

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Photo: Steve Becker/beckermedia.com

Although the dress code was black-tie and the champagne flowed at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's Butterfly Ball on May 3, the gala had a farm-like atmosphere. Playing off the event's "Savour Nature" theme, which highlighted the new exhibition "Food: The Nature of Eating," Event Creative brought in vegetable-centric decor. Tables were decked with miniature gardens potted with tomatoes, colorful peppers, asparagus, and kale; around the centerpieces, fairy lights in miniature Mason jars added to the elegant yard-party vibe.

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

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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

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David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

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Meagan Hundt spent over a decade producing events in Manhattan—but the pandemic brought her to St. Barts. Now she's creating intricate tablescapes with her newly launched company, ART2TABLE.

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In perfect timing with the season of gathering, 10 designers brought their own personal style to the table—literally—at Dine By Design, inspiring guests to get creative with their holiday place settings in the coming weeks.

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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

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Another inspiration tabletop spotted at DIFFA's annual event, this ethereal display marries feminine hues with metallic touches for a showstopping setting—certainly better suited for those with a go-big-or-go-home mindset. See more: 18 Dining and Tabletop Ideas From Diffa's 2019 Dining by Design

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Looking for some inspiration? Look no further. While DIFFA's signature fundraiser has been postponed until 2021, we're taking a look back at top moments from years past as an ode to the creativity-filled benefit.

Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open overturned books covering the topic of AIDS occupied the place settings, and stacks of books served as table legs.

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Coastal Cool - One of many hyper-curated tablescapes from Hestia Harlow, the newly launched event platform that's creating a revolution in our industry.

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The Lodge at Sonoma recently launched its Sonoma Bike Tour program, created in partnership with Mission Bicycle Company, a boutique bicycle shop in San Francisco. The program features an insider’s guide to spots in Sonoma within biking distance, and the Ultimate Wine Country Bike Tour Package (starting at $344) includes the use of two custom wine-colored bikes made exclusively for the lodge. Plus, guests can go on a scavenger hunt with stops and tasks at participating locations such as tasting the special “Vella” cheese at the Vella Creamery.

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2. Brighten up a seating area.

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For a private wedding, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington in March 2018, Favored by Yodit Events & Design and By Dami Studios created golden menus with cherry blossom frames to mimic the event’s theme.

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Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open, overturned books, each covering the topic of AIDS, occupied the place settings and stacks of books served as table legs.

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It’s A Thing Experience

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