At Fandango Catering and Events we create, in collaboration with our clients, an event design, including tablescape(s), for 80% of our events as we don't really focus on delivery-type catering (though we do it if requested, especially if the event is in the suburbs far from our operations).
Our event design team, which I head, truly enjoys the challenge of creating a unique design "look" for each event which complements the event space, whether a venue or a private home, indoors or outdoors, as well as complementing our chefs' garnishing artistry. Those who want everything at their event very utilitarian and don't care about how things look--that's not our client.
Today we offer 6 of our more interesting party decorating tips to help you when you gather ideas for your next party or gathering. With one or two special touches, you can transform your gathering into something amazing.
#1
All white or cream table(s) in a room with strong-colored walls is soothing to guests; use a soft to medium color for any flowers or centerpieces. Conversely, if the walls are white, cream, or beige, strong or medium-colored table/tables will look best, and you can do flowers and/or centerpieces in colors to match or complement either the tablecloth(s) or the white walls.
#2
Centerpieces, if guests aren't seated, can be low or tall but not flat--we don't like basket centerpieces for this reason unless they've got some height (and even then they remind us of an Easter basket).
In our planning with clients, if they don't have anything of their own they'd like to use, we often use a piece from our collection of table statuary and decorative pieces in styles from traditional to modern, around which we create interesting, one-of-a-kind tablescapes. These decorative pieces can be anything from small statues to clocks, framed pictures to a special book. We also sometimes put the decorative piece chosen on a cake stand and nestle it among a puddled (scrunched up) overlay or we wrap the overlay around the bottom of the piece or cake stand.
#3
If you use the current trendy square and rectangle plates and martini glasses to serve food, don't put anything in them that should be served hot as the food will grow cold and be tasteless. Save this type of serveware for cold or room temperature foods (and avoid plastic martini glasses). Recently we were served at a party we attended a rice dish in martini glasses and it was very pretty but a real letdown tastewise and most guests just tasted the rice and put it down somewhere.
#4
Overlay fresh bay leaves or organic ferns on a platter or tray with hors d'oeuvres in the middle if you don't want to use doilies. We find serving hors d'oeuvres on lettuce or kale or other greens of this type looks too rustic and these type of leaves always curl up to some extent so they don't look as nice, plus they tend to make any food placed on them soggy as they hold a lot of water.
#5
As square serveware IS all the rage, condiment trays are trendy now to serve non-condiments such as chorizo and bread rounds, grilled veggies, cheese cubes or rounds, or even chocolate truffles or petit fours. We like the look of square serveware on a colored tablecloth or runner rather than a countertop or kitchen island as square serveware can sometimes look cold and clinical.
#6
Decorate your light fixtures--whether chandeliers or another type of fixture, this immediately has visual impact for your party, probably more so than if you just decorate with flowers. Use floral wire to decorate a light fixture with flowers, greenery, or decorative ribbons hanging down.
For certain types of events this also works well if your buffet table is directly beneath your light fixture and you have ribbons hanging down touching the table (be careful not to have anything flammable touching the light bulbs).
Successful party givers understand that by giving their event space or home a special, festive look, they communicate, as through the food, that it's a special occasion.
Enjoy!
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
http://www.fandango-catering.com/
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