The Sweetheart Table

Celebrating your big day with family and friends while being close to your newlywed is what makes the day so magical and fires up the romance of it all. As we know, wedding days can get a little hectic amongst the greetings, pictures, dancing and toasts. It can appear to fly by in the blink of an eye! We know how special this day is, how much planning goes into it and, at the end of the day, the bride and groom’s main purpose is to be with one another. At your wedding reception, having a special place for the two of you to catch up and enjoy each other during the excitement is something we find extremely special and essential. Creating a ‘Sweetheart Table’ for two is a great way to find your alone time while still being involved with guests and adored by all. This not only makes the sweetheart table a great concept, but it also adds another decorative feature to your venue. We have a few great tips and tricks on making your sweetheart table one to be admired by all and adding an extra touch of enchantment to your special day.

 

 

The first thing to decipher in the process of building your perfect sweetheart table is its type or shape. This tends to be the focal point of the room, as it is separated from the other guests’ tables. Sometimes, it is positioned across the dance floor, and other times it’s placed at the head of the room. There are many options to choose from and couples mostly lean towards a single round table or a rectangular shape for two. Many couples use their imagination to come up with outside-the-box ideas like a wine barrel or mirrored tables. While this is preference-based, we find that both shapes work well for specific styles and venues. Round silhouette works great in an indoor venue, one that’s romantic, classic and more ornamental. Rectangular tables work beautifully for an outdoor wedding environment due to their symmetry with nature, while also having a rustic or authentic look to them.

After choosing your table structure, the next step is to pick complementary seating. This is where you can really get creative and have some fun! There are many options, whether it’s two single chairs, a bench, a loveseat couch or even floor cushions. Depending on your wedding theme, using a funky seating arrangement can add that innovative feature and be a focal point statement. For example, if you’re having a vintage décor inspired wedding, incorporating two old-fashioned tufted velour chairs is a gorgeous option to play into the style. Yet, for a black tie modern affair, incorporating two straight lined black and white chairs would emphasize the sleekness and the ambiance. It is important to remember that these are your seats for the entire night and even though you want them to stand out as part of the overall design, you need to make sure they are comfortable enough for you and your loved one.

 

 

Since the first steps of choosing the table and chairs are now complete, it’s time to add the décor. The physical table is a design element on its own, yet incorporating details like linens, flowers, signage and candles can really make it pop! Deciding whether you would like to cover the table with linens or simply leave the wood or glass uncovered can create a design detail on its own. Many like to use luscious creams and white linens, while some add glitter, sequins or colorful options to make a statement. Having a wooden table is a beautiful feature for themed weddings and ties in charmingly with an outside setting. While thinking of adding florals to the piece, it is popular to feature one large arrangement at the front of the sweetheart table that sits perfectly between the two place settings. It is also common to use a floral or greenery garland that drapes from one side of the table to the other, often hanging onto the floor for a whimsical touch. If you feel like you would rather keep the table looking a little bit cleaner, adding flower arrangements to the bottom of the table and around the perimeter is another beautiful option. After flowers are all set, candles complete the look! Many don’t realize the vast variety of candles that can be used in wedding design. Including elements such as mercury glass votive, ornate candlesticks, raw candles and crystals always dresses up the table. For most weddings, mood lighting sets the tone, and this is a way to achieve a private romantic ambiance. A few other small touches include signage that reads “Mr. & Mrs.” or possibly a monogram or quotes. It’s a cute touch that makes it fun while adding personal flare.

 

 

Lastly, now that the table and décor have been decided, it is extremely important to choose your sweetheart table’s backdrop. For some venues, this is an easy fix as they have a gorgeous mantle to be decorated behind you or floor-to-ceiling windows with a water view. Sometimes, this is a perfect final touch without taking away from the design of your table. In other cases, if you’re having your wedding in a raw space, there may not be a pretty wall to line up along, so we have a few ideas for creating your own sweetheart table backdrop. One of our favorites here at Bride and Blossom is a flower wall behind the table. You can stick to neutrals or add pops of color for an enchanting scene. If you are looking for a country approach, building a shiplap wood wall with pictures and greenery could be the best route to take. Some more creative ideas include large hanging picture frames, flowered altars and handmade folding doors. Getting creative will ensure a picturesque scene for everyone to remember. Another small trick to finishing your complete look is placing the table on a small lift so that all of your guests can see exactly where you are and you get a better view of your reception.

 

 

Remembering that it is your day and making time for each other is our most important tip! Enjoy the company, laugh together and be swept away with the romantic ambiance of your perfect sweetheart table.