Deck the Halls // Festive Ideas for Entertaining

Branching Out Floral + Event Design. Photo credit: John Cain Photography

Once you learn the basics of setting the table (Haven't done that yet? See our POSH 101 series on setting the table for the holidays), the best part of entertaining becomes breaking all the rules. Start your own traditions - set out the fine china, use every heirloom piece your family has to offer, or, go super modern and rent entire place settings, linens, and chairs. Stack china high with the layered look we love so much, or simply change up the patterns with each place setting with vintage pieces and assorted stemware. During the holidays, personal traditions really do trump any rules you've learned, so get festive and just go for it. Guests will appreciate a nostalgic setting with a whimsical approach to making merry, especially with a truly luxe take on your tabletop. POSH PICK: An Exotic Bird by Charles Sadek china pattern or Mahogany Rose by Noritake with traditional damasks in holiday hues.

Rattan Chargers, Elise Cut Crystal Stemware, Exotic Bird, Sevres, Barcelona Gold China Collections from POSH. Branching Out floral arrangements. Photo credit: John Cain Photography

Our favorite tablescapes incorporate natural elements that reflect seasonal landscapes, like the pine cones above. Branching Out designed a beautiful tabletop with floral arrangements fit for a wintery scene. They are a simple yet ingenious way to add a personal touch for the seating guests. POSH PICK: If you don't have a natural element to use, create caligraphy place cards tied to faux fur napkin rings or around bundled Floral Elegance Stemware for a more relaxed take on your place setting. 
 

Image: Source Unknown

Set the mood for the evening with a subtle and gracious glow. Lighting should be soft and reflective, not harsh or direct. We love a mixtures of votive candles and dimmed chandeliers. POSH PICK: Jan Barboglio Copper Candle Holder and Mercury and Silver Vintage Candelabras make for impressive lighting. 
 

Call it the Great Gatsby effect, but Art Deco is back and we're not complaining. There is something terribly romantic and fresh about going back to old school cordials and crystal coups for serving drinks, especially into the New Year celebrations. Mix and match for a unique and authentic style for toasting friends and family. POSH PICK: Our vintage collection has an impressive range of crystal and glass goblets, coups, and cordials for every style of service. 
 

Tabletop Tuesday // Christmas in Cowtown

There's nothing like Christmas in Cowtown (that's Fort Worth those of you non-Texans). It's the perfect mix of tradition and nostalgia with the holiday hues that strike a chord around this time of year. Emily Clarke of of Emily Clarke Events designed this red and gold tabletop for a competition at the Ridglea Country Club, and we're hoping to recreate it for our own family gatherings. Branching Out created the masterful floral arrangements and Liland's provided the gold banquet.

GET THE LOOK WITH POSH

Gold Chiavari Chairs with Red Cushions / White Lamour Linen / Scarlet Filigree Charger / Arte Italica Dinner Plate, Dynasty 24 Karat Flatware / Royal Gold Stemware / Silver Goblet / Exotic Bird Teacup and Saucer by Charles Sadek / Champagne Silk Napkin

 

Tabletop Tuesday: Southern Romance

Southern Belle Place Setting: Floral Elegance Flatware, Mottahadeh Charger, Sevres Dinner Plate, Gold Leaf Wine Goblet, Chloe Goblet, Burlap Linen.

With Summer slowly winding down (or at least feeling cooler with all this much needed rain!), it seemed like a good to revisit this is an oldie but a goodie - a gorgeous Style Me Pretty shoot that makes you want to grab a pitcher of sweet tea and set the table for a romantic Southern evening. French Sevres China and Mottahedeh Chargers meet the deep South with country-inspired touches throughout with burlap, ruffles, mixed metals, and vintage personal finds for knockout centerpieces. See more of this sweet shoot here.

An assortment of meat and cheese served on classic catering dishes.

A cake table brought to life with amazing paper goods, personal touches, and a fantastic linen.

The same P.O.S.H. place setting on a white ranch table.

 

 Photography of the Couple and Detail Shots: Hansel Dobbs / Photography of the Flower Girls and Ring Bearer: Elle Parks Photography / Wedding Planner: Kelly Simants /Bride and Groom Models – Jennifer and Ty (Jennifer is also the owner of Memento Designs)/Paper Goods and Accessories (Brooches, Doilies, Menus, Table Numbers, etc.): Memento Designs – Jennifer Claire/ Venue: Megan Chumlea – The Aldredge House / Catering: Food Glorious Food / Florist and Designer:  Branching Out Events / Lighting:  Cocktails and Cavier /China, Glassware, and Silverwar: Posh Couture Rentals / Cake: Kristen Massad: Tart Bakery Dallas

Tabletop Tuesday: Pure Elegance

Dreamscape: A beautiful take on shades of (pewter) and gray with Pewter Chiavari Chairs and a fabulous La Tavola linen.

The elegance of mixed metals, subtle hues, and bold patterns make a strong statement when it comes to tabletop. Designed by Elizabeth Gonzalez of After Yes along with an extremely talented list of vendors (see list below), this is easily one of our favorite tabletops for its easy sophistication and intricate details - a rounded edge here, an accent piece there. This gorgeous tabletop would certainly make the rounds from stylish weddings to unforgettable dinners. 

// what we love \\

A tabletop that has us singing "A Whiter Shade of Pale" / A stellar linen pattern / Simply yet stunning stacked plates /  A delicate compote for serving fun dishes / A purely dazzling arrangement of all white flowers 

Serve it up: White Chloe Goblet, Pure Stemware, Silver Rimmed Glass Charger, Simply Platinum Dinner Plate, Rounded Square Glass Salad Plate, Barcelona Silver B&B Plate, Parisian Flatware, Mother of Pearl Napkin Ring

An array of pure floral perfection from Branching Out.

Individual flowers for each place setting.

Silver Compote, perfect for fruit, ice cream, or champagne.

Mood lighting done right.

Photography, Nine Photography
Design + Planning, After Yes
Floral, Branching Out
Linen, La Tavola
Rentals, P.OS.H.
Lighting, Astounding Sound DJ + Elegant Lighting
Venue, Hotel Palomar
Menu Card, Southern Fried Paper

WW: Fort Worth Zoo

Tabletop: Silver Goblet, Parisian Gold Flatware, Pewter Chiavari Chairs, Classico Stemware, Khaki Mandarin Nu Silk | Floral, Branching Out

This dose of #WeddingWednesday is a throwback to Spring featuring all of our favorite things: The Fort Worth Zoo, artistic photography, a range of tablescapes and linens, cocktail hours and seated dinners, a beautiful bride and groom, and the creative genius of Emily Clarke and Debby Jewesson of Branching Out. This gorgeous event took guests on a wild ride in the best way - animal shows, magicians, great bands, etc. One glimpse at these photos and we're sure you'll agree. See even more images on Style Me Pretty.

Guests were greeted with a sign in table covered with beautiful floral arrangements by Branching Out and animal inspired trinkets, like the elephant planter. We love how Emily covered the first thing guests would see with a gorgeous Blush Ribbon Organza from Resource One, exclusively at P.O.S.H.

P.O.S.H. Villa Ballroom Chairs are the perfect way to add sophistication to the tented ceremony, along with dramatic draping from Dallas Draping and Lighting.

After the ceremony, guests were ushered to the back of the tent so the front room could be transformed into a dance floor and seated dinner setting. Guests enjoyed cocktails with custom bars from Fauxcades and Liland's Special Events and cocktail tables and chiavari barstools from P.O.S.H.

Elegant draping for the bride's entrance.

A close up of the Blush Ribbon Organza overlay, from Resource One, exclusively at P.O.S.H., with a pewter twill linen underneath.

A close up of Emily and Debby's handiwork on the bar.

Seating cards matched the zoo theme with painted animal figurines attached to name cards.

Head Table: Mottahedeh White Lace Charger, Gold Parisian Flatware, Silver Rimmed Water Goblet, Silver Wine Goblet, Pure Stemware

Villa Chairs were moved to guests tables along with oversized seating from Liland's for a modern table arrangement.

The head table received special treatment with Amber Kartell Ghost Chairs from Resource One, exclusively at P.O.S.H.

Gorgeous lighting from Beyond.

Pewter Damask for an established cake table presenting the artistic work of Frosted Art Bakery.

The scene.

The gorgeously happy couple. Dream wedding complete.

Wedding Photography: Andrea Polito Photography | Wedding Venue: Fort Worth Zoo in Forth Worth, Texas | Event Planning, Design + Invitations: Emily Clarke Events | Cinematography: Soulbox Productions | Floral Design: Branching Out | Catering: Cullinare International | Wedding Cake: Frosted Art Bakery | Groom’s Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Favors: McKinley’s Fine Bakery & Cafe | Entertainment: Ice House Band + Benita Arterberry Gospel Choir | Magician: Mike Williams | Juggler: Zerp | Animals: Fort Worth Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outreach Program | Lighting: Beyond | Decor + Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals +  Stageworks + Liland’s Special Events + Fauxcades | Draping: Dallas Drape and Lighting 

Tabletop Tuesday: White Haute

Concept, design + florals by DEBBY JEWESSON, BRANCHING OUT FLORAL & EVENT DESIGN

All photography by GARY DONIHOO for F8 STUDIO

Whether she is doing a majestic hanging garden to canopy the wedding party or an ethereal centerpiece, Debby Jewesson knows a thing or two about brightening your event with flora and fauna. Published in this Spring's D Weddings issue, Debby was given the task of a white tablescape. Knowing the beauty of pure white, she kept the look simple and clean for a big impact. We love the contemporary flair of this tabletop. Can you image sitting down to what is essentially several of your own floral centerpieces? As always, Debby is ahead of the curve. See more of her work at Branching Out Floral & Event Design.  

A very budget friendly look. RENTALS by P.O.S.H.  -  Silver Rimmed Glass Charger / Simply Platinum China / Schott Zwiesel Pure Stemware / Artesian Flatware

BRANCHING OUT FLORAL EVENT & DESIGN
F8 STUDIO