“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM”
CHARLOTTE TJONG, DALY CITY, CALIF., 650/757-5289
This Shakespearean-themed tabletop paid homage to the Bard's best-loved comedy, re-creating a whimsical, enchanted forest complete with fairies, birds and butterflies. Tree branches partially covered with moss and decorated with fairy figurines, butterflies, mushrooms, and birds and their nests served as the centerpiece, which was strewn with glass lanterns and sparkling amber-colored crystal beads adding warmth and whimsy. Sunburst chargers were topped with napkins in four different colors folded into lotus flowers, giving the illusion of floating lily pads. As a final touch, ornate Egyptian perfume bottles filled with “love potion” added an essential romantic element. This tabletop was named the winner in its category.
VENDOR TEAM: Classic Party Rentals, www.classicpartyrentals.com; Wildflower Linen, www.wildflowerlinens.com
“BEE-UTIFUL BRUNCH IN BLOOM”
CREATIVE COVERINGS, SPARKS, NEV., WWW.CREATIVECOVERINGS.COM
The blooms and buzz of spring were alive at this table reminiscent of a French flower garden, where bright yellow and white floral contrasted with a black and white baroque-style damask tablecloth. In the center, a tall arrangement of yellow forsythia branches and calla lilies was accessorized with bumblebees and crystals. Black chargers and chiavari chairs added contrast, as did yellow accents on the cushions, sashes and napkins. Honeycomb place mats sported a small jar of honey serving as the place card for each guest.
VENDOR TEAM: Events Ink, www.events-ink.com; Rentals Unlimited, rentals-unlimited.net; Sierra Floral Designs, www. sierrafloraldesigns.com; The Cheese Board American Bistro and Catering Co., www.cheeseboardcatering.com
“ASIAN FLAIR”
ENHANCE ENTERPRISES, CHANDLER, ARIZ., WWW.ENHANCEENTERPRISES.COM
This tabletop paid homage to a variety of Asian cultures — Chinese, Indian and Japanese — with its lucky red and black color palette. Red lacquer bamboo vases and assorted Asian accessories created a bold centerpiece, while the Chinese-themed salad/dessert plates added Asian flair to the place settings. Each plate offered chopsticks and a petite succulent plant; tall candlesticks gave a yin-yang accent to the horizontal table plane.
“EARTH EXPLOSION”
OPULENT EVENTS, LAS VEGAS, WWW.OPULENTEVENT.COM
Earth-friendly elegance was the design mantra behind this eco-themed tabletop, which featured a color palette of moss green with yellow, white and silver accents. The centerpiece combined white and yellow floral with wood, wheat grass, artificial bark and small rattan balls. Silver ribbon and yellow wire on the tall vases added texture and dimension. Single orchids placed in each wineglass added a simple yet elegant touch to each place setting. Table linens in sage green shantung and silver napkins tied with moss green organza complemented the simple silver-banded white china and silver chargers, which were slightly elevated by upside-down square rattan chargers.
VENDOR TEAM: Classic Party Rentals, www.classicpartyrentals.com; Enchanted Florist, www.lasvegasfloral.com; GBS Linens, www.gbslinens.com
“WINTER ROMANCE”
RENDEZVOUS CATERING AND EVENTS, PHOENIX, WWW.NICETARTES.COM
The graceful beauty and gentle sparkle of a winter evening inspired this elegant rectangular tabletop dressed in deep blues and icy silvers. The centerpiece — a wrapped manzanita branch wired with crystal-capped LED lights and crystal garlands, and dusted with glitter and artificial snow — gave the impression of an ice-covered tree. Large glass cylinders filled with illuminated gel “ice” cubes, silver mercury glass votives and silver-painted pine cones completed the frosty table-scape, while silver-stemmed wine glasses and shiny silver melamine chargers continued the color story. Dark blue sashes woven through the chair backs were embellished with crystal and pearl brooches reminiscent of snowflakes, while hand-stenciled silver tree branches on the square dinner plates added a surprise element.
VENDOR TEAM: BBJ Linen, www.bbjlinen.com; ProEm Rentals, www.proem.org
“LE ROUGE OOH LA LA!”
BLUE INDIGO DESIGNS, LONG BEACH, CALIF., 562/417-4950
The sensual romance of an intimate engagement dinner at a French bistro provided the inspiration for this sexy tabletop dressed in red and black. In the center of the table, tall, fluted glass vases were staggered on red boxes and topped with orbs of hydrangeas, seeded eucalyptus, berzillia baubles, gloriosa lilies and “relaxed” red roses, and were accented with black lace and strands of black crystals. Black candelabra were dressed with red roses, while red mirrored balls and red crystals were scattered around the base. Spheres of massed carnations balanced out the taller designs. Ruby red stemware and champagne flutes contrasted with opaque black onyx goblets, while black sparkle chargers showcased unique place cards — ornate black satin clutches for the ladies and rosettes for the gentlemen.
VENDOR TEAM: Classic Party Rentals, www.classicpartyrentals.com; Mayesh Wholesale, www.mayesh.com
“AURORA BOREALIS”
INDULGE IN MEMORIES/ROCK ‘N’ RHAPSODY EVENTS, PASADENA, CALIF., WWW.ROCKNRHAPSODYEVENTS.WORDPRESS.COM
Inspired by the memory of a beloved colleague, this Northern Lights-themed tabletop celebrated the magic and spirit of both a person's soul and a natural phenomenon. Incorporating three elements into its design — Aurora, the Roman goddess of dawn, the traditions of the Cree, who called the Northern Lights the “Dance of the Spirits,” and the colors of Aurora Borealis itself — the designer created a cohesive blend of color, texture and tradition. A vivid-hued tablecloth reflected the night sky's ever-changing rays of color, while dyed blue dendrobium orchids provided the main floral component to the centerpiece, which also incorporated candle-lit teepee tents. Headless-dancer holders for the place cards signified the afterlife, and napkins were folded into stars pointing toward the heavens.
VENDOR TEAM: Big Day Rentals, www.bigdayrentals.com
“AUBERGINE ARABESQUE”
NEWBERRY BROTHERS GREENHOUSE & FLORIST, DENVER, WWW.NEWBERRYBROTHERS.COM
Showcasing the year's hottest color — purple — this table featured oversize spray arrangements of purple dendrobium orchids and purple phalaenopsis orchids, with blooms of green cymbidium orchids adding depth and dimension. A wide peacock-print table runner and green satin linen complemented the color scheme. Chargers and glasses finished the look with peacock-inspired napkins placed in the dark-tinted glassware. Ghost chiavari chairs were enhanced with green chair pads and purple rosette chair bands. This tabletop was named the winner in its category.
VENDOR TEAM: Floral Bling Inc., www.floralbling.com; Linens Unlimited, www.linensunlimited.net; 10 Strawberry Street, www.tenstrawberrystreet.com; Wildflower Linen, www.wildflowerlinens.com
“DERBY DAY”
PICTURE PERFECT PARTIES, NORTH READING, MASS., 978/664-4746
This tabletop, with its custom-tailored French toile table skirt and equestrian accents, tells the story of horse races from a bygone era. A slate blue and cream tablecloth printed with images of vintage horse races, jockeys, and horses and their owners set the tone for the “finish line” themed centerpiece featuring a resin column festooned with 50 stems of hydrangeas in graduating shades of blue. Distinctive equestrian-themed napkin holders highlighted each place setting and featured the names of actual Derby-winning champions on specially designed place cards. Chiavari chairs custom-covered in Russian linen adorned with denim rosettes completed the look.
VENDOR TEAM: Classic Party Rentals, www.classicpartyrentals.com; Ikuko Hasimoto of Brady's Floral Gallery, www.bradysfloralgallery.com; Peterson Party Center, www.ppcinc.com; Wildflower Linen, www.wildflowerlinens.com; William Mizuta Private Florist, 617/451-2224
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