Now that we are in full fledged wedding season, this week on the blog we are rounding up a collection of wedding head table looks that we hope will inspire your 2019 wedding plans. We so often tell our brides to focus their design efforts on key areas that have big aesthetic pay offs, and the head table is close to the top of our list! Not only is your head table where you will make memories with your closest friends and family during your reception, it is also a decor focal point that all your guests’ eyes will be drawn to the moment they enter the room.
It is an opportunity to go big - whether it’s velvet tablecloths that won’t make the cut for general reception tables (but you’re still dying to use them), or two vintage goblets per person (water and wine!), or larger floral arrangements that will take your breath away, or place settings with dinner, salad, AND cake plates (because the stacked look is just so pretty!), or splurging on place cards from your calligrapher (because they perfectly complete the tablescape), or a myriad of other ways to indulge in your head table design. Because your head table is limited to a certain number, it is both lots of fun and financially feasible to let yourself go a liiiiittle design crazy in this one area.
These looks vary in style and color palette, so we’re certain that you can find one to get your creative juices flowing. Be sure to comment below to let us know which one is your favorite!
PHOTOGRAPHY - MATT REITER PHOTO, VENUE - THE GRANFALLOON, FLORALS - THICKET CREATIVE, CROSS BACK CHAIRS - CHATTANOOGA TENT, LINENS - WHITE TABLE, CALLIGRAPHY - LIFE WELL LETTERED, COPPER ARCH, TABLETOP DECOR, AND DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
1. RICH & COLORFUL HEAD TABLE AT THE GRANFALLOON
Go for a lush and colorful vibe by choosing a deep colored linen as your base and adding pops of color on top! The pairing of this cool toned blue velvet linen with warm toned copper accents and florals, creates contrast that brings vivacity and playfulness to this head table design. Mismatched china and multicolored goblets were the perfect complement to this colorful arrangement, balanced wonderfully by the modern acrylic place cards in their gold geometric stands. This lively composition is a show stopper for the bride who wants to make a boldly colorful statement.
PHOTOGRAPHY - EMVISION PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - CIRCLE B EVENT VENUE, FLORAL INSTALLATION - BLUE THISLE DESIGN, LINENS - WHITE TABLE, PLACE SETTINGS - CHATTANOOGA TENT, GHOST CHAIRS - CIRCLE B EVENT VENUE , VINTAGE GOBLETS AND BRASS CANDLESTICKS - THE COPPER QUAIL
2. ASYMMETRIC HEAD TABLE WITH BRASS ACCENTS AT CIRCLE B EVENT VENUE
As much as we love color, it isn’t a requirement in order to create a memorable statement with your head table! This neutral paletted design packs its punches in other other areas: a striking floral installation, balanced in its asymmetry by the brass candlesticks and florals placed heavily on one side. And don’t underestimate the power of clear glassware - each piece will catch the light adding glamour and elegance to this arrangement. This design is for the classic bride who wants her head table to draw the eyes of her guests again and again.
PHOTOGRAPHY - DEREK HALKETT PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS, FLORALS - MELISSA TIMM DESIGNS, VINTAGE RENTALS + DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
3. ECLECTIC BOHO HEAD TABLE WITH COPPER ACCENTS AT HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS
This earthy head table design perfectly complements its surroundings! We’re sure you picked your wedding venue for a reason, so draw design inspiration from the things you love best about your setting. A dramatic garland of greenery, accented with the deep jewel tones in the mismatched china, colored glassware, and vintage seating, all serve to highlight the stunning natural beauty of this riverside venue. And don’t forget the copper elements - metallic accents are perfect for the boho bride who loves a rich but subtle palette.
PHOTOGRAPHY - HILLARY LEAH PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - OAKLEAF COTTAGE, CHINA + FLATWARE - CHATTANOOGA TENT, FLORALS - CREEKSIDE FLOWER FARM, CALLIGRAPHY - LAURA LINES CALLIGRAPHY, VINTAGE RENTALS + DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
4. ROMANTIC WILDFLOWER HEAD TABLE AT OAKLEAF COTTAGE
Speaking of complementing your setting, there couldn’t be a better place to feature sprawling wildflowers than this mountainside venue. The modern, gold-accented place settings contrast with the vintage glassware and brass candlesticks to create a balanced blend of the old and the new to achieve this romantic end result. And the gold-tipped magnolia leaves as place cards continue the trend of the natural contrasted with the modern, bringing it full circle. This sweet set up is perfect for the bride who wants to feel like she stepped into a fairytale on her wedding day!
PHOTOGRAPHY - ALEXIS DIMMER PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - THE CHURCH ON MAIN, PLANNER - ELIZABETH EVENTS, CALLIGRAPHY - WHITE INK CALLIGRAPHY, FLORIST - STEMS AT FIVE POINTS, GHOST CHAIRS - LUMA DESIGNS, VELVET TABLECLOTH - SOUTHERN EVENTS ONLINE, VINTAGE & SPECIALTY RENTALS - THE COPPER QUAIL
5. VELVETY PINK HEAD TABLE AT THE CHURCH ON MAIN
You may be noticing a trend that regardless of your color palette or style, a good design always needs contrast and balance. For this richly pink head table, we absolutely love the contrast between the rough brick in this industrial setting and the soft romance of this velvety set up. This head table hits the nail on the head when it comes to textures - brick backdrop, velvet tablecloth, acrylic chairs, wooden floral container, cut glass goblets, gold plated flatware, and the list goes on! It’s the kind of design that keeps your attention, perfect for the bride who is a little bit edgy and a little bit princess.
PHOTOGRAPHY - THE FORWARDS PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS & EVENTS, FLORAL DESIGN - MELISSA TIMM DESIGNS, VINTAGE RENTALS & DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
6. BOHEMIAN MIXED METALS HEAD TABLE AT HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS
Mixing textures is one way to bring contrast to your head table design, but another foolproof way is to mix your metals. We learned it first from Stacy in What Not to Wear - metallics are neutrals and can therefore always be mixed! This head table features cream & gold vintage china, set off by vintage silver flatware. But in this case, the mixed metals motif continues in the colored glassware that bring in gold and bronzy tones. The result is subtle but striking, keeping the color palette simple while still providing plenty to keep your eye interested. This metallic arrangement is perfect for the bride who wants a little boho and a little elegance at the same time.
PHOTOGRAPHY - RAFFERTY PHOTO, VENUE - CANDLELIGHT RIDGE, FLORALS - WHITE MAGNOLIA FLORAL, PLACE SETTINGS - CHATTANOOGA TENT, LINENS - WHITE TABLE, SIGNAGE - LIFE WELL LETTERED, STATIONARY - WEBBCO GRAPHICS, VINTAGE RENTALS - THE COPPER QUAIL
7. WOODLAND HEAD TABLE WITH MUTED TONES AT CANDLELIGHT RIDGE
We’re sure your eyes are as drawn the gorgeous floral arrangement featured on this woodland head table as ours are! The muted tones of the linens, brass candlesticks, cross back chairs, and gold accented place settings create the perfect backdrop for these richer floral colors to pop. Commission your floral designer to create a dramatic floral centerpiece that sets your head table design apart, and then have fun choosing the perfect decor accents that complement that floral show stopper. This design is perfect for the bride wants to build her head table design around her love for gorgeous florals!
PHOTOGRAPHY - OKCROWE PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - THE CHURCH ON MAIN, DRAPING + CHANDELIER - DECOR 1601, FLORALS - MAYFLOWERS, CALLIGRAPHY - DAFFOLILY, LINENS - WHITE TABLE SPECIALTY LINENS, CROSS BACK CHAIRS - CHATTANOOGA TENT & EVENT SOLUTIONS, ARTISAN BREAD - BREAD AND BUTTER BAKERY, VINTAGE RENTALS + DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
8. MOODY RENAISSANCE HEAD TABLE AT THE CHURCH ON MAIN
Are you a bride that can’t get enough moody vibes? Embrace your darker side with this head table design that harkens back to Kings’ tables in the Renaissance era. Tarnished silver details, wine-red stained place cards, deep toned greenery and florals, and a tablescape scattered with artisan breads and fruits for your wedding party to partake of, all combine to make your guests feel they have been transported back in time, with you and your husband the King and Queen of the evening. And don’t forget the striking Edison bulb chandelier that adds just a touch of a modern element to keep things interesting!
PHOTOGRAPHY - EMVISION PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - CIRCLE B EVENT VENUE, FLORAL INSTALLATION - BLUE THISLE DESIGN, LINENS - WHITE TABLE, PLACE SETTINGS - CHATTANOOGA TENT, GHOST CHAIRS - LUMA DESIGNS, VINTAGE GOBLETS AND MILK GLASSWARE - THE COPPER QUAIL
9. MODERN SCANDINAVIAN HEAD TABLE AT CIRCLE B EVENT VENUE
This striking Scandinavian head table design speaks for itself. With a crisp and arresting color palette, breath-taking floral installation, and acrylic chairs that act as magnifying glasses to this handsome composition, this configuration is sure to make a lasting impression. The milk glass candlesticks with golden candles accompanied by yellow vintage goblets are the perfect partners for this editorial design. This head table is just the things for the bride who wants her wedding to look like it was ripped straight from a magazine!
PHOTOGRAPHY - NELYA, VENUE - HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS, FLORALS - FOX & FERN STYLE, CALLIGRAPHY - DAFFOLILY, CROSS BACK CHAIRS - LUMA DESIGNS, VINTAGE RENTALS + DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
10. RUSTIC & PLAYFUL HEAD TABLE AT HIWASSEE RIVER WEDDINGS
Is it just us, or does this tablescape look straight out of Better Homes & Gardens? These live edge farm tables are perfectly complemented by lace details, glass elements, and pops of gold accents. And the mirrored effect between the hanging greenery shelf and the table-runner of greenery below? We can’t get enough! This head table masters the harmony of rustic elegance, and will leave everyone dying to pull up a chair at this stunning table. Perfect for the bride wants to marry her rustic roots with some modern elegance.
PHOTOGRAPHY - BAMBER PHOTOGRAPHY, VENUE - THE TRINITY CHAPEL, FLORALS - THE CLAY POT, Linens - NUAGE DESIGNS, TABLE - LUMA DESIGNS, CALLIGRAPHY - DAFFOLILY, VINTAGE RENTALS + DESIGN - THE COPPER QUAIL
11. SUNSET HUED TABLE WITH VINTAGE ACCENTS AT THE TRINITY CHAPEL
And last (but hardly least) this dramatic, warm-toned head table silhouetted by those stunning stained glass windows is seriously taking our breath away! From the eclectic seating, to the miniature vases used as place cards, to the stunning mismatched china patterns, to the voluminous draped satin table runner - this head table design does not hold anything back. Simple elements like brass candlesticks and eclectic vases with loose florals were used to achieve an anything-but-simplistic result that perfectly marries many components into one cohesive design. This striking head table is for the bride who wants to funnel all the details she loves into a design that won’t let your gaze leave easily.
Which head table look is making you swoon? Let us know in the comments below!