How to Execute the Perfect Holiday Table

Confession. I basically have a prop room in my basement. Yep. I have six sets of gold flatware, hundreds of mismatched goblets and saucers, color coordinated throw pillows for every season. All from photoshoots past. It's pretty freaking awesome and means that come holiday time, I can pull together a table in 6 seconds flat. But it wasn't too long ago that I was pooling china and wine glasses with my sisters just to have enough, thus I know this isn't normal at all. All that said, no matter how robust or bare your entertaining arsenal is, the incredible Melissa Mueller with Golden Arrow Events & Design, alongside GOR.GEOUS. photos by Sposto Photography and florals by Penelope Pots, is here to convince you that pulling together your holiday table in a way that feels cohesive and utterly lovely isn't just doable...it's easy if you follow a few key tips!

Here in sunny Southern California, we don’t get to experience a snowy white holiday season. So we wanted to create a holiday setting based on our surrounding elements. Natural tones with pops of navy and fresh greenery make us feel just at home!

ONE.

Layer on Details.Small details can make the largest impact with a Tablescape. After you have your primary serving pieces - dinnerware, flatware & glasses (which oftentimes are very plain and simple), it's time to layer on the beauty. For example, adding ornaments, fresh berries and or a twigs of rosemary will add a sense of holiday "prettiness" while fresh florals will add that something special.

TWO.

Mixing & Matching is totally okay! Whether you only have enough of one print/pattern for 6 and you need 8 OR you just want to play with having an eclectic look, when done right, mixing & matching glassware, flatware, chairs and serveware can add a playful and yet decidedly elegant look. How do you do it right? Well, stay consistent in either color or style and you'll have a slam dunk.

THREE.

Play with color. Often with Christmas we think red and greens. But give yourself permission to think outside the box and have some fun with different color combinations. We opted for white and blue with accents of wood and gold. Whether it's drawing from your own home decor or just coming up with something new and entirely different.

FOUR.

Think Warmth & Texture.Throw pillows tucked into corner, throw blankets draped over chairs. Florals set on the floor or on lower tables. Small area rugs brought in to help define your space. Extra seating in poufs or soft sheepskin rugs. You want your space to feel cozy and the number one way to do that is through texture.

FIVE.

Set the Ambiance. Music and Lighting are just as important as decor. Lower those overhead lights, switch on your lamps and burn some candles. Create a holiday playlist that can take you from a peppy cocktail, to a lively dinner conversation and well into a cozy, relaxing cocktail.

SIX.

Spoil Your Guests.Never let your guests have an empty hand. While this isn't so much about decor (although having a chic, very special holiday glass helps!), it is about the fact that a successful tablescape or holiday room plan is SO much more than placing props around the room. It's about anticipating your guests above and beyond anything else. Whether you keep the champagne on ice all night or serve a variety of drinks from prosecco with berries to hot cocoa with fancy marshmallows, your guests should always have something delicious within arms reach.

SEVEN.

Give a Gift.Have something for guests to take. For us, it was a DIY keepsake. We added the tassel ornament to each place setting which added that natural modern touch and gave our guests something that would make the evening feel incredibly special.

Photography: Sposto Photography | Design + Styling: Golden Arrow Events and Design | Floral Design: Penelope Pots | Catering: 24 Carrots | Venue: Huntington Bay Club | Dessert: Grace & Honey Cakes | Event Space: Huntington Bay Club | Invitation Suite + Calligraphy: Pirouette Paper | Laser Cut Goods: Creative Amme | Specialty Rentals: Marnie Schnabel - Sweet Salvage Rentals | Table Top: Hostess Haven