Trend 1: Food-Inspired Escort Cards and Tables

• When throwing an outdoor wedding, instead of labeling your table escort cards with numbers, try labeling them with drawings of food. For example, put an elegant drawing of a lemon (or any fruit/veggies you like) on escort cards for a table.
• Place a large clear vase full of the corresponding food--in this case lemons--in the center of a table so it matches the escort cards. This way, guests can easily find their seats.
• Surround the table centerpieces with various greenery, which just so happens to be the Pantone color of the year!

Trend 2: Edible Table Arrangements

• Nothing is worse than sitting down at a table for a party and finding there's nothing to munch on. Why not add an edible table arrangement!
• Take advantage of fresh summer flavors by having tomatoes on the vine set down the center of your table (or use any seasonal fruit/veggie you like).
• Intersperse them with a simple, rustic, charcuterie board full of nuts, meat and breadsticks. Try displaying them in various ways: Place the nuts and meats on a wooden slab and put the long breadsticks in a pot similar to those used for the greenery.

Trend 3: Hanging Lanterns

What you'll need:

• Paper lanterns in various sizes and colors
• String (or twine)
• White holiday lights (optional)
  • To add an easy and beautiful "wow factor" to any party, make a hanging paper lantern display. Paper lanterns are usually available in bulk for little cost!
  • Try getting lanterns that play off the colors of your tables, in 3 different sizes (small, medium and large).
  • Clump them into groups of 3: 3 different colors and 3 different sizes per grouping. Make enough to cover the length of your table.
  • Thread a long strip of string through the groupings of 3, binding them all together.
  • Tie each end to a secure pole or tree. If hanging inside, make sure to secure the center of the lantern cluster to the ceiling, as well as the ends.
  • OPTIONAL: Thread white holiday lights throughout the lantern display to create soft lighting. This is great if hosting an outdoor party.