First, a confession: I'm obsessed with the color pink. Surprised? I thought not. I also love quiche, but that's a different story. I just think there's something so happy about, say, pink garden roses in a pretty milk glass vase. Apparently, I'm not alone. Some studies show that pink actually prompts the brain to release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps boost your spirit and curb your appetite. Not that I'm passing up the chips and salsa quite yet, but the roses growing in our garden, together with all the weddings we've been seeing this summer, have definitely inspired us over at our Etsy store. Here's a table I did recently, right here on the property, all in a palette of pink and white, perfect for a casual summer wedding in the country.         

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Wedding receptions, as we all know, take so much planning and preparation that often times, they can end up feeling overdone. The centerpieces are too big, the tables too cluttered. For summer weddings especially, I prefer a more understated elegance with eclectic table settings and flowers that are simple but sophisticated. Here, stacked compotes with fresh cut roses add height to the table without overpowering it. One is vintage milk glass with a pretty lace edge; the other, sterling silver with a 1914-1939 engraving, a gift celebrating twenty-five years of marriage for two others long before. 

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How great would they be with, say, pillar candles on a fireplace mantel
or candied sauces on a buffet? I might even split up the pair and fill them
with French-milled soaps in a bathroom. Each is engraved with a pretty "S" monogram, and until I can give them to friends of mine tying the knot, they'll be here for yours.   

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The linen table topper I made from a fabric remnant, the edges of which I simply ironed and folded. The settings are casual but sophisticated with a tonal pink-on-pink palette and an eclectic mix of new and old: white dinner plates from the Christmas Tree Shop, silver chargers from a flea market in London, and vintage Fireking swirl plates, collected over years. I like how everything works together; it feels harmonious without being matchy.

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Footed servingware is so elegant, especially for a wedding, and these bullseye crystal cups would be the perfect way to begin (or end!) a meal. For an elegant first course, I imagine a chilled roasted beet soup with crème fraîche and chives. For dessert, I might do an almond pound cake trifle with lemon curd and fresh whipped cream. Or, skip them at the settings altogether, and run them down the table as a centerpiece, each with a single pink peony. How pretty is that?

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Candlelight is so important on a table, but some candlesticks can be obtrusive. These two-arm depression glass candelabras are low and beautiful, so your guests can converse with ease. Then, for drama, I love the meter-long tapers from our friends here.

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I've always thought that weddings—the gifts we give to our families and friends as well as the meals we share to celebrate them—ought to feel as one-of-a-kind as the couples themselves. That's why I love buying vintage. Sure, I'll check out the registry to get an idea of what they're looking for, but then I much prefer giving something truly unique. In the same way, it's always the tables that tend towards a quieter beauty that I love, where a soft, subtle mix of elements—textures, shapes, colors—soothe my eyes and stir my soul.

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