An Old-World Mediterranean Romance

Krystal Gardenia
Jul 24
3 min read

For the 2025 Confetti Collective design competition, we wanted to create a table that felt full of life and personality. Something that felt both abundant and approachable, with just enough detail to make guests want to lean in and take a closer look.

We drew inspiration from old-world romance with a touch of Greek influence. We wanted the table to feel elevated and layered, but still approachable. Think summer in the Mediterranean meets garden dinner party. The mix of textures, tones, and natural elements helped us strike that balance between classic and eclectic.

To make the design feel collected and story-driven, we included vintage-style brass trays, crystal goblets, and Greco-Roman inspired busts. Each piece felt intentional but slightly unexpected.

PRO TIP: Always opt for printed dinner menus. They may seem like an unnecessary expense but have a dual purpose in aesthetically anchoring your place setting as well as providing clarity to your guests. The buffet line moves so much quicker and efficiently when guests are able to look through the menu before they head up.

This table is a great example of how even the most functional elements can become part of the design when chosen with intention. A plain white tablecloth can feel flat, but with added draping and texture, it creates shape and movement. A charger plate might seem like a throwaway detail, but when it has interesting texture and shape, it adds a layer that elevates the entire setting. Napkins are a practical element, but the rich color, velvet fabric, and knotted shape made them part of the visual story. Even the flatware and glassware helped push the design forward. Gold utensils instead of silver, amber and cut crystal glassware instead of all matching clear glass—it all added depth without overwhelming the table. And instead of basic votive candles, we used taper candles in different heights, textures, and tones to make even the lighting feel like part of the design.

The florals were key to tying it all together. The table featured a lush runner of moss as the base, with arrangements placed in varying heights along the center. Some were tucked low and full, others climbed higher in pedestal bowls, and a few spilled out over the sides of the table. The color palette was layered but balanced, combining soft peach, blush, and cream tones with deeper reds and pops of green. Grapes were used within the arrangements as a nod to the Mediterranean influence and also to tie in the lighter tones from the florals. The height variation and mix of blooms gave the table natural movement and helped each centerpiece feel different without losing cohesion.

To finish the table, we brought in small eclectic details that made the whole design feel collected and lived in. Stone and porcelain Grecian busts, antique trays, and unexpected fruits were placed throughout the table. None of it was “necessary,” but all of it added character.

These little touches are what make a table feel special and full of story. We aimed to create a design that revealed something new each time you looked at it. Something that kept guests engaged, curious, and inspired.

Our goal was to make every inch of the table feel curated but natural, like guests had stumbled upon an open-air dinner party in the middle of a citrus grove. We wanted it to feel romantic without being too polished, and artistic without taking itself too seriously. It was an absolute joy to bring this design to life among so many talented creatives in the Arizona wedding community.

WRITTEN BY: Krystal Gardenia, Gardenia Weddings

@gardeniaweddings