We invited Victoria to design a table scape that was stylish, elegant and colourful but with a rustic twist – one that brides could easily replicate or draw inspiration from.
Victoria says “A change in trends has seen a move away from the casual rustic, country look to a more polished style. I took this to the extreme and approached the styling with opulence and elegance in mind. Rich bold tones of purple, magenta and crimson were chosen for the floral arrangements. With heavy impact floral arrangements, it was important to keep the rest of the setting relatively neutral so as not to become overpowering. Raw timber tables were paired with natural linens and an abundance of tea lights, dinner candles and overhead bud-lighting finished the look and gave it the most romantic atmosphere.”
By far the most valuable piece of advice I can pass on to couples styling their own wedding is to know your venue intimately. You need to work with the décor and style, not against it. Susan Williams from The Butterfly Lounge says “For brides wanting to do some floral styling themselves, rustic or garden-like styles are achievable. Make sure you source and order the flowers ahead of time and allow more time than you think you will need. Leave the bouquets, buttonholes and corsages to a well-regarded florist. These require skill to be created ‘just right’”.
Create ambiance
Tea light candles have been used for low-level light while recycled wine bottles are employed for taller dinner candles that add romance to the setting. A canopy of bud lighting has been erected above the table setting, giving the feeling of dining under the stars. The base for our setting is a raw timber table and mismatched timber chairs.
DIY vases
Sourcing and providing your own vases is a cost-effective choice. Scouring your local op-shop or flea market can turn up interesting shapes, as can looking in your supermarket aisle! Gather a selection of containers of different heights and sizes to create interest in your table scape. Vases for this shoot were spray-painted gold to complement the rich colours of the flowers. Simply wash and dry the vessels before painting in a well ventilated area. If you are providing vases to your florist, be sure that she/he knows the dimensions or have the vases delivered to them in plenty of time so they can determine the quantity of flowers required.
Napkin treatments
The napkin fold you select is the easiest and most affordable way to add a point of difference to any table setting. You can easily find tutorials online — some of my favourites are: The standard fold is clean and chic and can be used to display decorative details such as the halved figs shown. The pocket fold, perfect for the minimalist bride, is a great way to present cutlery or even display your personalised menu. The napkin roll is one of my favourites! It is so easy to fold and looks great when dressed up with this hanging amaranth.
Simple linen
The table runner and napery are made from a neutral coloured fabric. To make, buy enough fabric allowing extra for an overhang at each end of the table, cut the fabric to the desired width allowing extra material for a hem, and sew the edges with a straight stitch. Matching napkins can be made from the same fabric in the same manner.
Concept and Styling Victoria Cameron Photography Byron Loves Fawn Floral Design The Butterfly Lounge Rentals/Hire The One Day House Venue Hillstone St. Lucia
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