InTents April/May 2023 - 33

SOCIAL MEDIA MISPERCEPTIONS
hanks to the wealth of images available
online via social media outlets such as
Pinterest and Instagram, many couples come
to their meeting planners with images of the
ideal tablescape for their wedding reception.
Unfortunately, there are some common
misperceptions that emerge of design elements
that simply are not affordable or available.
" Buying linens online is a misconception, "
says Maxine Brown, outside sales
representative at Grand Central Party Rental.
T
" Brides see linens online at a great price;
however, they don't consider the quality. We
usually tell brides to order well in advance so
they can see the quality of the linen first. "
If couples are relying on social media to
inspire them, Rhonda Pedersen, owner and
managing director at Pedersen's Event Rentals,
suggests they should consider what the budget
is prior to getting fixated on design elements.
" Sometimes you don't need every single thing
in a photo to get the overall look. "
Quality linens are critical
elements in a successful
tablescape. Photo courtesy
of MKMc Photography.
Katie Thomas, sales and event
designer at Beachview Event Rentals
and Design in Brunswick, Ga., agrees
that bold colors, especially in black and
modern shapes, are trending. " Layering
of different dishes and colors is popular
as well. Colored glassware is a huge
standout right now, " Thomas says.
And when it comes to table linens
themselves, selections vary dramatically
with the seasons. Textured heavy textiles,
such as jewel-toned velvets, are favored in
fall and winter while a lighter version of a
natural cloth, such as cream-colored linen,
is sought after for spring and summer.
" Tablescapes have also extended
beyond the table, " Lamkin says. " Canopies
draped in lush florals and hanging
installations have been increasingly
popular over the past couple of years.
" Large tree-like structures have also
been trending on tabletops. " In addition,
lighting has become an important part in
creating an intimate feel at the table.
THE DESIGN PROCESS
When working with wedding clients
regarding tablescapes, McConaghy
advises them to think about what they
want guests to experience. Do they
want the decor and tabletop to take
center stage? Or do they want to keep
the tabletop more monochromatic and
minimal to let the artistry of the food
take the lead? What is the menu and how
will it present on the tabletop decor?
Likewise, prior to selecting a
tablescape design, McConaghy suggests
clients start with their color story-
namely, two colors they want to thread
throughout the design.
" It is easy then to look to linens in your
color story and make selections, then
choose your tabletop items, and from
there you can get a feel for what does
and does not fit into the event's design
motif, " McConaghy says.
For Lamkin, if clients come in
knowing they want a specific color
palette and want specific flowers, then
she works around that when choosing
the tabletop rentals. If she's designing
the wedding and has " free rein, " she
usually starts with linens and chairs
and goes from there.
" My designs are inspired by my
travels, architecture, textures and
patterns, " Lamkin explains. " Once I have
the wedding design completely done, I
share it with the floral designer so they
have the color palette prior to starting
their design. I know this is a different
process for floral designers that also do
wedding planning and design. "
InTentsMag.com 33
STICK TO THE BASICS
AND ADD ONE OR TWO
UPGRADES INSTEAD OF
CHOOSING THE TOP END
IN EVERY CATEGORY.
-Rhonda Pedersen,
Pedersen's Event Rentals
http://www.InTentsMag.com
InTents April/May 2023

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