Table Styling 101 for Newbies

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If you are a wedding or event planner new to the art of table styling, you may wonder what exactly goes into the polished creations you see on Instagram, Pinterest and on your favorite blogs. While every tabletop is different, they generally share the basic elements and steps of design. These are our top tips for Table Styling 101.

Client Input

First, you need to know what look and feel your clients are trying to achieve and what budget they have to work with. The funds allocated for rentals are critical, and sometimes misunderstood, so it’s good to get in touch with your rental supplier early in case adjustments need to be made. When you first reach out, make sure to have the essential information handy, including the event venue, dates, times, guest estimates and names of any other vendors who will be involved.

Styling Necessities

When budget is no issue, we recommend a premium linen, upgraded chair, a charger, china, glassware and flatware for every place setting. If funds are limited, the most impactful investment is a nice linen. It not only changes the tabletop, but the entire space. Pairing a great chair with the right linen also has a dramatic effect, so that would be the next rental to consider. A charger is purely decorative, but it really polishes a place setting.
Need inspiration? Look beyond the event industry to fashion and home décor. Both provide glimpses into the hottest trends and regularly contribute to event design.

Challenges

Many wedding and event clients have little-to-no experience styling tables for a large number of guests, so it can be difficult to explain the impact on the budget versus the transformative effect on a room or space. You will need to help your clients visualize the final outcome. It can help to bring sketches, photos of past events, swatches and samples for those who have trouble grasping your design ideas.
Table styling is one of the most important design functions when planning an event, so invest some extra time honing your skills as you prepare to create exquisite celebrations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Rouffe is the Director of Sales and Partner of Atlas Event Rental, a full-service event rental industry serving the Southern Florida market for over 30 years based. Recently named one of the top 30 rental companies in the US by Special Events Magazine, Atlas provides top quality merchandise and unparalleled customer service to each and every customer.

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David Tutera

Leading Wedding & Entertaining Expert, David Tutera is hailed as an artistic visionary whose ability, uniquely creative talents and outstanding reputation have made him a tremendous success in the lifestyle arena. Tutera has created a name for himself by taking his passion for designing spectacular events and transforming it into a lifestyle.

He continuously exceeds the expected with an unmatched level of inspiration, imagination and innovation to create the latest trends in entertaining. Tutera’s grandfather, a successful florist, first noticed his grandson’s artistic ability at an early age and encouraged David to pursue his destiny. At age 19, with the sound advice of his grandfather and only one client, David opened his own event planning business.

Today, David Tutera presides over an award winning company built from experience, dedication and Tutera’s natural talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His name has become synonymous with style, elegance, creativity and vision. David Tutera has a natural talent for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. His name has become synonymous with style, elegance, creativity and vision.

Honored by Life & Style Magazine as “Best Celebrity Wedding Planner,” David’s impressive client list includes Jewel, Star Jones’ wedding, Real Housewife Taylor Armstrong’s wedding, Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul’s wedding, NY Giants Antonio Pierce’s wedding, Shannen Doherty’s wedding and events for Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Brandy and Ray J, Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Lil’ Kim, the Official Post Grammy Parties in New York City, Elton John, Barbara Walters, the Rolling Stones, Nancy Reagan, Prince Charles, The White House, private events for the Vice President, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Susan Lucci, The John F. Kennedy Center, as well as countless film premieres and celebrity parties for royalty, politicians and socialites.

Tutera has also designed events for several charities including the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. David has made guest appearances on Today, Extra!, Good Morning America, The View, CNN, The Rachael Ray Show, The Talk, Steve Harvey, Wendy Williams and many more. In addition People, USA Today, In Touch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Bridal Guide and Town & Country have all featured his work.

Tutera has also made special television appearances in the popular daytime soap, The Young & the Restless and TV Land’s The Exes. David lives in Los Angeles with his husband Joey, daughter Cielo and their rescue dog Lucy.