Ten Tables: Rustic {Part 2}

Welcome back to Part 2 of our rustic tables feature, lovelies! I had such a brilliant response to this new series last week from both readers and other bloggers, so we’ll definitely be continuing with it! Do you have any specific table styles to request? Let me know in the comments! Of course, rustic is a big favourite – it works in quite a few contexts and as you saw last week, can go from real down-home farm styling to elegant and a bit glam, depending on how you combine different elements. This time I’ve lined up the second half of my top ten favourite rustic tablescapes, and again broken them down into their elements to help you with your own wedding design. If you missed Part 1, you can catch it here.

Table #6: Sweet & Low Country

FLOWERS: Mixed white blooms

I adore this table – it’s rustic and refined at the same time and uses neutrals perfectly. Start with the standard white tablecloth and countrify it with a burlap runner (love the use of a monogram or table number stencil detail). Down the centre, add a mixture of white blooms in clear glass vases, alternating with cloches covering bits of lush greenery or red berries for a bit of extra visual interest. Add jam jars with floating candles and board piled with artisan loaves. At each setting, place a wooden board (you can see I love this idea, can’t you!). Then lay white napkins in the centre, and tie cutlery together with a sprig of fresh rosemary with some pretty ribbon, and hey presto – you have a gorgeous table :)
DIY DETAIL: Buy (or make) basic burlap runners and then customise them using this tutorial.
Sources: Tablescape by Nikki Meyer Photography/Kraak/Elle Fleur via The Pretty Blog; custom runner from Garnet Hill

Table #7: Kraft & Lace

FLOWERS: Roses & peonies

Isn’t this one just the PRETTIEST? But really not too difficult to recreate – the biggest expense here is the calligraphy, which does need to be beautifully done. You could also place your plates under the kraft/brown paper circle, if you’d prefer to do it that way. I really love the pretty lace pulled together as a runner and tied at the table ends, as well as the assorted pillar candles in vases. And it’s the little details, like crockery tied together in little bundles with lace, that really add that special (and inexpensive) touch. Of course, this table wouldn’t be half as pretty if you didn’t have romantic, lush florals (in their wooden boxes) to act as the perfect centrepieces.
TOP TIPS: Can’t afford a calligrapher to hand-draw each menu? The good news is that because the menus are all the same (i.e. not like place names), you could ask a pro to make you a one-off (for much less moolah) and then have it printed onto a custom kraft paper roll. Then all you need to do is cut out your circles carefully, and you’re done!
Sources: Tablescape by Kristyn Hogan/Cedarwood Weddings via Style Me Pretty; lace ribbon from Bijoux Beads

Table #8: SouthBound Rustic

FLOWERS: Proteas, carnations

This elegantly rustic, proudly South African tablescape is an SBB fave! Homegrown brides will love the use of the wire windmills and the white candy Easter eggs (make sure you buy these in season, since they aren’t sold all year round). Proteas in mason jars, old-school paraffin lamps, cutlery tied with ribbon and jam jars with votives complete the Karoo farm look. One element I really like is the way words are used as decor, both in the tablecloth (which this bride had custom made using words that were meaningful for her and her husband) and the lasercut table name. Really pretty.
TOP TIPS: I get lots of brides mailing to ask where they can get the windmills you see here. As far as I know, the best option is still to buy them at the side of the road in the Karoo or Eastern Cape (but please leave a comment if you have a better source!).
Sources: Tablescape by Cari Photography/The Aleit Group/Elle Fleur on SBB; paraffin lantern and tablecloth to hire from Flamboijant

Table #9: Forest Fete

FLOWERS: Hydrangea, herbs

There’s a lot going on here, but doesn’t it come together beautifully? First of all, a shout out to the great white chairs you can see in the pics – a lovely, unusual choice that works so well for this pretty rustic look. On the table, we start with the standard white tablecloth and then a burlap runner (such a win, these burlap runners!). Plain white napkins at each place are complemented by some really lovely kraft stationery. Apart from that, each place is pretty simple. Then at the centre, you have a mix of herbs in aged teracotta pots (how lovely would that smell?), hydrangeas and other lush white flowers in aqua mason jars and clear glass vases, hurricane lanterns and votive candles. Place these fairly randomly – each setting should look slightly different. The other element that works beautifully (and is pretty inexpensive) is the wooden rounds, used here as decoration and a base for some of the jars and candles. You can easily pick these up from craft suppliers, or get a handy relative to chop some up for you themselves. As a final touch, add brushed metal house numbers as table numbers – a lovely (modern) touch.
DIY DETAIL: This table is actually pretty DIY-tastic! For aqua mason jars, follow this tutorial. For wood rounds, get some advice here. And for the very same burlap runner, here are the instructions.
Sources: Tablescape by Carrie Patterson/Lily & Co. via Style Me Pretty, pots from Fallen Fruits

Table #10: Sleepy Hollow

FLOWERS: Roses, iris, chrysanthemums

I absolutely loved this very offbeat and creative wedding and while the theme (Twilight/True Blood meets Sleepy Hollow) is going to be too unusual for most couples, I actually think the table could be used at any rustic wedding and look really pretty and original (minus the garlic, probably!). Again, there’s quite a bit going on, but it’s not difficult to break down. Start with a white tablecloth (this one is patterned, but I think it could be better to keep it simple). Place settings are made up of tin plates (again, I think this element is optional if you’re not going full out gothic) topped with bold black and white striped linen napkins and little burlap bags for favours, as well as a pretty bloom or two. Glassware goes from drab to fab with the addition of a metallic rim, and there’s an extra touch of vintagey detail with the crockery having a white stem to imitate a bone or ivory handle. At the centre (on a linen runner), pillar candles are placed in glass vases and little silver dishes of grapefruit punctuate the flower arrangements in their silver pedestal vases.
TOP TIPS: Whatever colour scheme you’re using, consider bringing in bold shades organically. Orange can look tacky, but between the rich hues of the grapefruit/blood orange centres and the flowers, it works perfectly here.
Sources: Tablescape by Brandon Kidd Photography/Amorology/Flowerwild via Green Wedding Shoes

 

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