Beautiful tablescapes and events can absolutely be done on a budget and we’re going to show you how! Knowing where to splurge and where to save for your events is key.
Read on to get our best tips and tricks on how to make special memories for your events, while still remaining affordable and mindful -
Tableware
Although we may be biased, investing in good table linens is the right place for more of splurge, as these will often be with you for your lifetime and handed down to your family (I have many of my Grandmothers table linens). Investing in good quality tablecloths, napkins etc, that you can mix and match and use in many ways is key, which is why we keep our collections cohesive and able to be mixed and matched together for any occaission.
Dinnerware
Don’t buy new sets of dinnerware or serveware for every different theme. Not only is this very expensive, but it also takes up a huge amount of space in your storage. It is more wise to purchase a good quality dinnerware and serveware set in a neutral colour that will work with any number of themes you may choose. Remember, you can always thrift extra fun plates to jazz them up, put charger plates underneath to change the look (and these are much smaller to store) and most importantly, your table linen and décor is really what your guests are going to notice! It is not very often that the plate is the star of the show!
Foraging
Using items you can forage is the most cost effective way to decorate your table or party, while still having a bespoke and organic look. Not only does this look incredible, but they also serves a second purpose -
- Edible items can be eaten afterwards and for
- Plant décor can decorate your home afterwards or repurpose them into bunches to gift to friends and family.
We are all about repurposing and low waste here at Le Bon Soleil, so we are mindful about what we use and why. For example, I grow an abundance of tomatoes in our garden every year, more than we could ever eat in their standard form. So aside from gifting these to friends and family, I plan ahead before a large picking (planning is always key). I'll plan a dinner party where tomatoes will be a main ingredient in multiple dishes and they will also be the décor (large heritage varieties look the best due to them being organic in shape and not perfect). Once they have been used as décor, I have all my ingredients and jars ready to make an abundance of tomato relish, passata, chutney (the list goes on) that will last us until the next tomato season. I do the same with chillis – chilli themed party and then it’s into chilli jam making!
Our favourite foraged décor is listed below and we have made sure to pick things that you would be able to easily find and grow abundantly (keep some snips in your car incase you drive past and overflowing tree or bush!) –
- Fruits – berries of any kind, grapes, olives, lemons or any citrus, pears, apples etc
- Vegetables – cucumbers, tomatoes, chillis etc
- Foliage – magnolia leaves, olive leaves, palm fronds, cow parsley, herbs can look fab! Don’t be afraid of foliage only bouquets – a simple colour palette of green foliage with white table linens and accents is very classic and classy.
- Flowers – hydrangeas, lavender, edible varieties
- Shells – obviously only from approved collection beaches
This is absolutely the key to beautiful hosting! So much of our hosting collateral is thrifted. Not only is this better for the environment (we love a cyclical moment) but it also adds the interest, whimsy and point of difference to your event. You may have been inspired by images on Pinterest or some of our tablescapes and wondered what it is that makes them look so special, not generic and have that wow factor, and that is because thrifting some of your tableware really does make it individual to you. Aside from the look, we all know that a lot of products have become mass produced and low quality, so you will be so surprised what you can find in your local thrift stores for a steal of a price but fantastic quality. We have listed below our favourite items to look out for when thrifting (keep a list on your phone that you can refer to when you go thrifting!)
- Tableware sets
- Serveware – platters, serving utensils, cake stands,
- Themed items – this is the best place to find your themed items. Again, planning is key, so if you know you want to do a certain theme in the future, always keep this in mind and grab the bits for it in advance
- Large salad or serving bowls
- Punch bowl with glasses (these are such a fun party addition!)
- Candle sticks!! – these are something that the more mix and matched they are, the better!
- Vases – especially ones that aren’t too large that you can mix and match down the table
- Trays
- Small crystal items – the amount of crystal you will see is incredible. Small crystal items bring whimsy and light reflection to your tablescape
- Small ramekins and dip bowls – you.can.never.have.enough.of.these! I have sooo many and am always using them all up. On a grazing platter or charcuterie board, these are crucial! Multiple dip, hummus etc options are so important!
- Chopping/serving boards – the older looking, the better!
- Wooden items – bowls, utensils etc – these add an organic feel to any tablescape look
Grow
Grow as much as you can no matter how small your space is! This is SO important. Do you really want to keep spending that much on fresh basil each time you need it? Didn’t think so. And have you seen what they charge for a small container of edible flowers these days? Ludicrous. Growing your décor is something I do year round and is crucial to the look and feel of our events. Our most important items to grow are –
- Edible flowers – Dianthus, Viola, Lavender, Mini Chrysanthemums, Pansies, Marigolds, Calendula, Nasturtium, Cornflower, Sunflowers, Daisy look (Feverfew, Chamomile) Elderflower
- Herbs – Parsley, Basil, Chives, Rosemary, Coriander
- Fruits – Citrus, Tomatoes, Olives (great for foliage too)
- Vegetables – Cucumbers, Chilli’s, Lettuce, Courgette/Zucchini
Borrow
Ask around! Do you have friends and family who have fun décor that you can borrow for your party? Again, we do not have to buy everything! Chances are, someone you know can fill a gap of something you need or at least something close to it – keep an open mind.
Edible Décor
This section is outside of the fruits and veges and foraging we mentioned above. For these examples, we mean other decorative items you can make from food -
- Use cookie cutters to cut shapes out of anything you can – fruit, cheese slices, breads, meats, you name it! This is such an effective touch and something I always do on top of cakes, cupcakes, cake pops, pies (sweet or savoury) or on charcuterie boards and grazing platters. I often do this with letter cookie cutters to really bring a theme to life through words.
- Bowls of sweets or candies (homemade or store bought, whatever you have available!) people love to be able to pick at treats and things through the night.
- Mini cakes, mini cupcakes etc – a bit more effort, but if homemade, very cost effective and special
- Custom ice cubes – this is a very simple thing to make but very effective! I always have flowers and petals frozen in large ice cube moulds on hand and will also make specialty ones for my themes such as – citrus, chillis, cranberries and rosemary at Christmas, different flower types, cucumbers, the list goes on!
Dried décor
I have a food dehydrator for drying my foods, herbs and flowers, but this can be done in various ways if you don't have one – in the oven slow and low or even in the sun. Dried décor is a great addition to any hosts kitchen for one main reason – it lasts for yonks!! So you can always have a supply of dried items, ready to go. My favourites to have on hand are –
- Dried sliced citrus – great to decorate drinks, cakes, platters – anything! Yes you can purchase these (not cheaply) so it’s always best to know how to make your own.
- Dried chillis – as above, looks great as decoration.
- If you grow an abundance of herbs, make sure to dry them so that you never have to buy dried herbs and always have garnishes available.
- Dried flowers are another great way to plan ahead! If you can pick and dry your favourite flowers in enough time, then to don’t have to run around before your event searching for what you want! And dried florals are great for certain themes, especially anything Autumnal
Customize & personalize
This brings individuality and personalization to any event and the real wow factor for your guests!
- It is a lot easier than you think thanks to the modern technology we have at our fingertips like Canva.
- Custom stamped cookies or edible gifts are a great décor element for your tablescape and are inexpensive if you can learn to make them yourself. As above, using letter stamps to personalize is also very special.
- I use my same mini pie recipe for so many parties, but I just change our what I do with the pastry on top to be relevant to the theme. For example, for a high tea, I have done a gingham weaved pastry on top, or Halloween I have done cookie cutter pumpkins, bats or STAR witch?
- Same goes for baking focaccia, which is a staple at my parties. You can use decorations such as olives to adhere to your theme. For example, I have done HO HO HO at Christmas, BOO at Halloween and even peoples initials if the party is for them. The options are endless!