Tablescapes: 2018 Real Weddings

Unbelievably, we are about 35 days away from 2020 and I still have this 2018 real wedding wrap up post to publish! Gah! I had some beautiful wedding table designs in 2018, that I am quite proud of and happy with, so I wanted to share them with you in one post, so that you have context for current wedding trends!

Head Tables

This wedding table trend of the past ~decade is going no where. Couples love to sit with their wedding party and the significant others of those nearest and dearest. Garlands remain the dominant way to decorate these tables, so I wonder what innovation we might see in that aspect in the coming years. Floral designers are constantly trying different ways to elevate decor on the head tables, but it is still quite pricey to do so. Ever wonder how to figure out how many people can sit at a wedding table? I have you covered.

Baltimore Museum of Industry wedding reception head table candle light
Photo by Genevieve Leiper

Above: a beautiful winter wedding at the Baltimore Museum of Industry with a mostly neutral palette with pops of purple and gold as the metallic accent.

Below: A timeless end-of-summer wedding at The Peabody Library in Baltimore. A simple garland with loose blooms tucked in kept us on budget!

Peabody Library Baltimore wedding reception head table garland
Photo by Lisa Boggs
Westin Alexandria Virginia wedding reception garland white hydrangea
Photo by Steven and Lily Photography

Sweetheart Wedding Tables

As I have said before, sweetheart tables are back. Not quite as popular as head tables, but this is no flash in the pan. It really works well for some couples – and some floor plans! I love playing with decor on these tables. Because we don’t want to block the couple’s faces with tall decor, it has to stay low, but since it will be in a lot of photos, we want it to be interesting. I think we nailed it in these two instances!

Rust Manor House wedding reception sweetheart table Leesburg Virginia gray with gold and greenery boho
Photo by Procopio Photography

Above: a gray, gold and green palette at Rust Manor House in Leesburg, Virginia for peak boho vibes.

Below: a rich black velvet linen with copper industrial chairs elevated this winter wedding at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Carnegie Institution for Science wedding reception sweetheart table black velvet copper chairs

I did so many 2018 real wedding round ups that you might enjoy: receptions, ceremonies, men’s fashion, bridal party fashion, bridal bouquets, stationery, dogs in weddings, wedding bling, shoes and cakes.