Inspirational Tablescapes for Your Cocktail Hour & Wedding Reception

Four wedding planners from Evoke Design & Creative share their own takes on an inspirational shoot.

Find inspiration from these tablescapes designed by different wedding planners, and find which style works best for your own wedding reception or event!

evoke design and creative wedding reception table design by four different wedding planners
Photo: Abby Jiu Photography

When it comes to planning your wedding, there are a number of options to narrow down before finalizing the décor of your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Often times, brides and grooms will ensure the events of the day have a cohesive theme, while other couples choose to showcase an array of their desired styles at each event. If you're hiring a wedding planner, they'll often have a style all their own that you admire, though they've likely designed fabulous events for an array of tastes.

One such wedding planning and design firm – Evoke Design & Creative in Washington, DC – has planners and designers who each bring their own style to the table when creating events with their clients as inspiration. To showcase their personalities, they spent a day styling their own shoots, and the outcome was four incredible tablescapes to inspire every type of bride. A food-centered shoot on a boxwood hedge table inspires a lovely outdoor cocktail hour, while another shoot featuring an array of crafty cocktails suggests libations for an event in every season. A styled shoot with a modern twist on rustic décor showcases unique metallic details, and lastly, a vintage-inspired sweetheart tablescape will make brides-to-be who love classic literature and romantic poems swoon.

Take a look at the different personalities of these wedding planners and designers in their shoots below, and find inspiration from each table for your own wedding!

Flights & Bites – Jeannette Tavares, Designer & Planner

"This tablescape was inspired by my European roots and the green topiaries of European lands," shares Jeannette Tavares, designer and planner for Evoke Design & Creative, of her organic approach to the design. Using her love of hedge walls and boxwood, she let the food art play a vital role on a boxwood table. She adds, "When the design was finished, all I could think about was how people would enjoy an alfresco dinner with family and friends around this gorgeous table that had a warm and inviting feel about it."

EVOKE DC Flights and Bites hedge table

EVOKE DC Flights and Bites cheese board wine

EVOKE DC Flights and Bites fig appetizer with honey drizzle

EVOKE DC Flights and Bites appetizer crostini hors d'oeuvres

EVOKE DC Flights and Bites picnic on hedge table with appetizers cocktail hour

Photos by Abby Jiu Photography; Design & Coordination by Jeannette Tavares for Evoke Design & Creative; Catering by Heirloom Catering and Event Design; Floral Design by EDGE Floral; Chairs & Chargers by DC Rental; Hedge Table by Design Foundry; Chair Backs by Nüage Designs; Calligraphy by Meant To Be Calligraphy

Seasons of Cocktails – Thy Parra, Designer & Planner

"The inspiration for the cocktail shoot is my love for food and beverage," shares Thy Parra, designer and planner for Evoke Design & Creative. In the shoot below, she has paired cocktails with the feel, color, and tastes that reflect each season, as she believes the seaon in which a reception is occurring plays a role in the menu that is selected. She adds, "The spring cocktails were fresh and floral; for summer, we played with fun molecular cocktails; we brought in the smoky warmth for autumn, and festive elegance for winter."

EVOKE DC Seasons of Cocktails two spring cocktail hour drink ideas

Spring: Raspberry Ramos Gin Fizz

(Ingredients: Green Hat Gin, lemon, lime, raspberry, sugar, egg white, soda water) – Playing off one of the most iconic classic cocktails created, the raspberry adds a bright freshness that is perfect for any spring day. Combined with the gin, citrus, and sugar, this cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink.

EVOKE DC Seasons of Cocktails summer wedding cocktail ideas drinks

Summer: Intro to Aperol

(Ingredients: aperol, gin, Angostura bitters, lemon) – A fun and refreshing presentation for this Aperol cocktail with gin, bitters, and lemon make this an ideal poolside cocktail. Pictured with: Aviation (see below)

EVOKE DC Seasons of Cocktails light purple wedding cocktail with edible flower

Summer: Aviation

 (Ingredients: gin, crème de violette, maraschino liquor, lemon) – Equal parts of the four ingredients create one of the most floral classic cocktails. Flavors of bitter cherry, violette, and juniper combine with juicy citrus to make this cocktail a wonderful choice for the warm weather.

EVOKE DC Seasons of Cocktails unique old fashioned cocktail ideas

Fall: Cedar Plank Old Fashioned

 (Ingredients: Magnus Bourbon, Peychaud's Bitters, aromatic bitters, sugar cube) – For a smoky twist, torch a cedar plank and stir in your favorite bourbon, sugar, and bitters. Our dark and boozy version of an Old Fashioned is enhanced with the fall flavors of bitters and cedar wood smoke – perfect for relaxing by the fireplace on a chilly autumn night.

EVOKE DC Seasons of Cocktails winter wedding cocktail idea champagne

Winter: French 77

(Ingredients: St. Germain, Champagne, lemon juice)– During the month of celebration, nothing is better to toast to than a bubbly glass of Champagne. A variation of the traditional French 75, we took out the gin and added St. Germain. The elderflower blossom variation gives a subtle sweetness to your celebrations.

Photos by Abby Jiu Photography; Design & Coordination by Thy Parra for Evoke Design & Creative; Cocktails by Evoke Design & Creative and Stir Bartending Co.; Décor by EDGE Floral and Design Foundry; Linens by Nüage Designs; Marshmallows by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes

Modern Whimsy – Kaitlyn Hostetler, Designer & Planner

"The design for Modern Whimsy came from my love for clean and crisp lines with a touch of details that just might catch you off guard," shares Kaitlyn Hostetler, designer and planner for Evoke Design & Creative. She used bright whites, greys, and slates as the foundation of the tablescape with touches of greenery, copper, paint splatter, and quotes. She adds, "It is modern, yet fresh, and the perfect setting for an intimate dinner party."

EVOKE DC Modern Whimsy wedding table idea rose gold flatware green centerpiece

EVOKE DC Modern Whimsy wedding table idea rustic wedding

EVOKE DC Modern Whimsy wedding idea grey taper candle greenery centerpiece

EVOKE DC Modern Whimsy wedding ideas slate stand with rose gold flatware fork knife spoon

EVOKE DC Modern Whimsey simple grey wedding cake idea with greenery

Photos by Abby Jiu Photography; Design & Coordination by Kaitlyn Hostetler for Evoke Design & Creative; Balloon by Festive Effects; Cake & Desserts by Fluffy Thoughts Cakes; Calligraphy by Meant To Be Calligraphy; Chairs by DC Rental; Floral Design & Dining Table by EDGE Floral

Love Letters – Jodi Moraru, Designer & Planner

"Love Letters is the ultimate sweetheart table," shares Jodi Moraru, designer and planner for Evoke Design & Creative. Inspired by the thought that a handwritten letter is a sign of love, affection, and deep caring for another human being, she created a romantic tablescape as an ode to the romance of the Victorian era. Chairs are nestled together by a boa of red roses, guests have the opportunity to write notes in quill and ink or typewriter, and inspirational love notes sprawl the table. She adds, "The entire look is about romance, love, and the sharing of thought and emotion."

EVOKE DC Love Letters sweetheart table desk with gold red details

EVOKE DC Love Letters sweetheart table with red and gold laser cut envelope love letter

EVOKE DC Love Letters sweetheart table with laser cut gold modern calligraphy script

EVOKE DC Love Letters sweetheart table bride groom chairs with garland of red roses petals

EVOKE DC Love Letters decoupage desk sweetheart table love note with black feather pen

Photos by Abby Jiu Photography; Design & Coordination by Jodi Moraru for Evoke Design & Creative; Floral Design by EDGE Floral; Paper Goods by RedBliss Design; Rentals by DC Rental; Sweetheart Table by Design Foundry

For more wedding décor ideas, click here, or browse hundreds of real weddings by your preferred style, location, or color palette! Find additional inspiration in our photo galleries.