It’s that time of year where Wilmington is in full bloom. The perfect time to showcase The Cape Fear Garden Azalea Tour, one of many events held during the annual Azalea Festival.
As a former committee chair for Tabletops and now an advisor, I am working with the Garden Tour Chair, June Sweeny who was featured in last month’s issue, along with Kristi Turlington, the Table Top committee chair. This is my sixth year to set tables in the gardens, and it’s always an honor and thrill every time I get to style among the different landscapes.
It’s also a creative challenge, so I like using themes to get ideas going. For example, one year I named a table “Simply Southern” to evoke a rustic yet elegant tablescape for loved ones to gather and share stories with family and friends. Flowers are key to any table setting, and the chinoiserie motif adds that special Southern touch – a blue and white table is the ultimate picture of Southern hospitality.
Setting a cheese table is one of my favorite tablescapes. For the CFGC Wine and Cheese party, even the wine bottles celebrate spring with flower rings, a nice change from traditional bouquets. This event honors the garden owners who showcase their beautiful gardens for the Cape Fear Garden Tour during Azalea Festival weekend. For this elaborate spread, I use one of my go-to Heda The Table Tips to bring the vision to life, and I’m happy to share it with you here.
When I’m preparing for a party, I do a quick sketch of the table for an easier setup. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just a quick plan to get your ideas on paper. If you have nice friends who want to help, it’s much easier to explain your vision with a blueprint, too.
Days leading up to an event, I draw plans, prepare food, label dishes and serving platters with sticky notes to remember how they will be filled, then I brief my team on the day of.
Remember to stay flexible and don’t be afraid to use alternative space when needed. For example, I’ve used kitchen counter space for extra desserts and side hutches for plates and cutlery. Once I get rolling, ideas shift depending on space and other variables, but thankfully it always turns out in the end. It’s fast-paced for a couple of hours, but well worth it.
For a quick pop of something special, go that extra step and add flowers or greenery to your napkin rings or place settings. You don’t have to purchase flowers, either. Simply wander your garden and see what speaks to you. Rosemary is a hearty and fragrant green that can be put in a small mason jar to add a little life to your kitchen windowsill after your meal. Magnolia leaves make great name tags, too – just use a metallic marker to label a seat for each of your guests to make them feel extra loved.
Remember, it’s the details that can start great conversations and make the meal more memorable, which is what setting a tablescape is all about. Doesn’t take much to make a pretty spread.
Table styling for me began years ago with a few wooden napkin rings. With my husband in the military, our family moved to cities all over the world, and settling into new homes had its challenges. At the dinner table, we came together as a family and talked about new adventures, worries, and solved problems. I wanted to create a comfortable space for my girls to feel free to express themselves no matter where we lived.
As we traveled to foreign countries and towns stateside, I collected pieces here and there as a reminder of the different regions we call home. Keepsakes such as antique dishware, linens, and pottery were added to liven up a meal. It was a small way for me to make each gathering more intimate and special.
Fun fact, I’m also from a military family. Born in France to Puerto Rican parents, I like to call myself a French Puerto Rican Okie. Okie because I spent most of my youth in Oklahoma. It’s also where I met my husband and where my first daughter was born.
As a Wilmington, North Carolina resident for over fifteen years, I’ve created tablescapes for dinner parties, cocktail parties, bridal showers, and events for local businesses. With a growing demand for customizing intimate settings in any environment, Heda The Table was born in the Port City, and I am so happy to be here with you.
For more info contact: Heda Waldrep of Heda The Table, Table Stylist at 910-431-1126 or hedathetable.com.
Website: meganwaldrep.com
Instagram: @megan.waldrep
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