Blog | Cassie LaMere Events

The Anatomy of a Summer Tablescape

Most parts of the world have emerged from the icy grips of winter and are now enjoying the new beginnings that come with spring. Spring brings renewed feelings of joy and optimism, observed in the fresh seasonal florals and the warmth of the sun’s rays on our skin. As we approach summer, we are eager to be spending time outdoors again — what this means for us as event planners is an abundance of decorative opportunities, flowers coming into bloom, and vibrant colors popping back into our lives. If you’re planning an outdoor event, consider our approach when it comes to setting a spring or summer tablescape that incorporates bold and interactive elements that will inspire your guests.

Start by Spring Cleaning Your Interior Décor

With the arrival of the outdoor entertaining season comes the opportunity to refresh your home’s décor. Take this as your cue to re-think how you decorate with ideas that highlight the stunning transition from spring into summer events.

2022’s spring and summer color trends may be a good starting point when planning your tablescape or when looking for ideas. Soft lilacs contrasted with canary yellows will create a serene setting for a baby shower or ladies' brunch in the garden; a hot pink palette paired with salted caramels makes for a punchy backdrop to a festive celebration, and bold scarlets mingling with subtle sky blues will set the scene for a certain European sensibility at Sunday lunch. Clear your mind of any preconceived notions about what spring and summer ‘look like’ and embrace change — it’s time to breathe new life into your décor. And when in doubt, remember that blue and white is always right!

Try the Farmhouse Chic Approach

There’s something about the farmhouse chic trend that feels synonymous with spring and summer to us. For your summer tablescape, incorporate woven placemats or chargers for an organic, natural look and feel. Pair these rustic elements with elevated ones, like your favorite crystal glasses, upscale furniture, and a striking centerpiece. As with anything in life, it’s important that your decorative elements are kept in balance so that no single aspect overpowers the other. Plus, we believe mixing design eras or references makes an event feel truly custom.

If you’re opting for a wooden table, we recommend keeping it bare aside from a table runner down the middle; consider a gauzy neutral color fabric or linen in any of the colors we listed above (depending on your chosen palette). The bare wood adds texture to the ensemble and provides a great foundation that is easy to decorate with accompanying bright colors. Place gingham napkins in between the plate and charger for a polished farmhouse look and to incorporate some pattern.

We love the farmhouse chic approach when provided the opportunity — the style evokes feelings of warmth and comfort, akin to the feelings of a season known for gatherings that linger from golden hour to well past sunset.

Carefully Considered Micro Details

Just as Mother Nature considers the timing of blossomy spectacles — details of natural phenomena that will always leave us in awe — so should you with even the most minor details on your spring and summer tablescape. Consider matching the dinner napkins to the taper candles for subtle color coordination and layer in botanical place cards tied onto a summer branch for an added personal touch that will enhance your table’s entire impact. When it comes to serving pieces, don’t shy away from experimenting with the color or pattern to amplify the playfulness that comes with the season, and leverage natural lighting — consider an al fresco approach and tie in details with the surrounding environment.

If there’s a chance to incorporate vintage items into your décor, your spring and summer tablescape is it. Utilizing assorted collections of tableware conveys an effortless approach to entertaining that complements the spirit of summer’s easy-breezy reputation. Bring the outdoors to your table with stoneware urns filled with long branches of herbs or fruit for a pop of color.

Each season comes with its own palette, distinguishing natural elements, and associated styling ideas that all elicit different sets of feelings. Spring and summer, including the transitioning phase from one to the other, bring nothing but delight and your tablescapes have every opportunity to set the scene for memorable occasions. If you’re looking to achieve a spring or summer-inspired event, Cassie LaMere Events is your partner in planning. We’ve successfully been bringing event visions to life regardless of the size or occasion, with an impressive portfolio to match. For your upcoming event, get in touch.

Hold Court During Al Fresco Event Season with a Bridgerton Inspired Soirée

Prepare the gardens and gather the string quartet, the spring social season has arrived! The popularity of Netflix’s binge-worthy period drama Bridgerton is sure to encourage more than a few grand soirées in the coming months and we suspect this trend will be on full display.

We speak from experience when we say a gathering of this caliber should be a feast for the eyes, and one must pull out all the stops to surprise and delight. After having the privilege of attending a party at one of the palaces featured in the series, we now consider ourselves somewhat of an expert on the subject and lucky for you, we’re sharing our insider’s guide to creating a Bridgerton Bash.

Inspired by the flights of fancy featured in this wildly entertaining show, we’ve gathered the tableware, attire, décor, and entertainment you’ll need to deliver a royal affair that will render even the most discerning of guests speechless. (We’re looking at you, Lady Whistledown)

Tea parties provide the ideal excuse to eat dessert first and when accompanied by a glass of champagne, they’re an invitation to indulge another vice of Lady Whistledown’s forte- spilling the tea, of course. Individual charcuterie boards are au courant, why not up the ante this socially distanced social season with perfectly portioned petite four displays? As the arbiters of high tea, Fortnum & Mason and Wedgwood both offer a whimsical selection of tiered cake stands + tea sets for polished place settings and satisfying guests’ sweet tooth.

On an afternoon promenading through the gardens, a delightful dress with darling details will stand out amongst the crowd. Born on Fifth’s new collaboration with Antonio Melani offers a capsule collection of feminine dresses featuring romantic silhouettes and fresh prints for the upcoming season (parasol not included). There’s even a mini-me version for the littlest of offspring set to join the ranks of society prominence.

When the attire calls for guests to dress to impress, a gown with enchanting embellishments fits the bill. For those looking to fill their dance card, we say flirt with flounce. Billowing fabrics that float across the dance floor with unabashed style are perfect for idyllic evenings spent waltzing under the stars. If peacocking is more your taste, a feathered frock with playful plumes is a striking way to garnish the attention of your future betrothed. Moda Operandi’s latest occasion edit, House Bloom, showcases “finely-crafted confections” that seem to have jumped right off your screen, just in time for suitors to start calling.

From fireworks to aerial artists, Bridgerton fans wish to be entertained. Spring’s lush outdoor venues offer a picturesque backdrop for layers of light. If we were to play matchmaker for your mixer, we would recommend starting with pyrotechnics, strands of bistro bulbs, and chandeliers hanging from the weeping willows to set the mood. To ensure that sparks are flying, next we would recommend adding in a dapper entertainer with a flair for magic. Daniel Rosenfeldt’s Star Catcher performance is like a spectacular assemblage of fireflies dancing in the night sky. Far from the stale acts of jesters before, his awe-inspiring talent will reign supreme as the highlight of your soirée.

Easy Easter Entertaining

After a busy March filled with spring cleaning, a pseudo spring break, and the realization that we’ve all been quarantini-ing for a year, Easter may have a way of sneaking up on us. If you’ve lost track of the days, you’re not alone- we’re here to help you break out of your Groundhog Day routine by sharing some easy ways to hop to it and pull together a few essentials for entertaining on Easter.

Decorated eggs, fresh greens, and garden grown accoutrements lend themselves to a beautiful Easter brunch. We love entertaining during brunch because it gives the host more freedom to create an accessible menu filled with classic breakfast favorites and small bites, perfect for nibbling while searching for hidden eggs.

To complement the dishes, we’ve selected a few household items you likely have on hand and given them our creative twist, to show you how you can repurpose these everyday items into your Easter table setting, no hunting required.

Search your fridge for everyday essentials that can shine on your table and you just might find that items like porcelain egg crates can be just as fanciful as they are functional. We suggest popping them on the table filled with a decorated dozen and letting the ingredients do double duty as Easter brunch décor. And if we get lucky, Riley Sheehey may create more of her charming hand painted eggs that can adorn our tables, or at least inspire our attempt at artistic egg pursuits.

Did your lockdown stockpile leave you with an excess of chilled beers on hand? With a few bar cart staples, you can easily transform those brews into a Hoppy Easter bar featuring a fresh take on Sunday sips. Try mixing up the Michelada and IPA Aperol Spritz cocktail recipes featured in Town and Country Magazine for a fun addition to the breakfast beverage lineup. These vibrant, creative drinks will bring a pop of color to your table and pair well alongside build-your-own Bloody Mary and Mimosa stations.

Move over Beatrix Potter, there’s a new potter poised to make a splash this Easter. While at market, we found the most adorable potted herb plants and were inspired to make our own for a spring table setting. Turn your countertop herb garden into décor by wrapping potted plants with brown butcher paper, then finish by tying them with twine or gingham ribbon. These easy tabletop arrangements bring a spectrum of garden greens and fragrance to your Easter table, while serving as a great reminder to celebrate the season’s new beginnings.

If your china cabinet is looking a bit mismatched after a few oopsy-daisies over the years, or your vintage treasures are as unique as the antique store you found them in, we say embrace the one-of-a-kind personality of your collection by showcasing the colorful stemware together on your brunch table. An array of whimsical teacups and cut crystal glasses feel effortless, inviting guests to pick the piece that speaks to them and their distinctive qualities help to avoid a taboo drink mix-up. Even better, the personal stories behind each item will make for entertaining anecdotes shared over eggs benedict.