Blog - Southern Vintage Table

Southern Vintage Table Events – A Bridal Shower for Martha

“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” – John Ruskin

And, so it was – a bridal shower masterpiece for Martha. A long-standing tradition among women friends is to honor a soon-to-be bride with a celebratory party before they marry. Guests lists include friends of the bride, mothers of the bride and groom, as well as their friends. This event provides a fun gathering for folks to meet each other before the wedding day.

For Martha’s shower, florals were everywhere! When guests entered Casey’s home, they were greeted with Jami’s grand floral arrangement in the hall, petite florals along the mantle and kitchen side table, and along the buffet table. What a glorious treat for everyone! And, since we all love flowers, the petite arrangements became gifts for the guests.

The shower officially began with drinks. Set up on the side table was a mimosa bar with an assortment of vintage pink and green goblets, Prosecco, and juices. In the butler’s pantry, guests could choose water, tea, or coffee. Our vintage clear, green, and pink goblets were lined up here, too.

A key element of any party, including bridal showers, is food. After meeting folks and catching up, it was time to eat. Our vintage silver trays were donned with a variety of sweet and savory treats. Also on the table was a crystal bowl filled with colorful fruit, deviled eggs, and spicy shrimp.

Jami chose an assortment of vintage plates – pink and green glass and green and pink patterned china. Vintage napkins, silverplated forks, and serving utensils completed the table settings. With the beautiful spring floral centerpiece, the final tablescape was perfection!

A shower would not be complete without a game for guests to play. Jami and Casey organized a Jeoporady-esque game to introduce the guests to Martha and Stephen. Categories included “About the Bride, “About the Groom,” “Wedding Trivia, “Wedding Movies,” and “Famous Couples.” The winner was awarded with a bottle of Champagne and, let’s just say, that the winning card was not pictured here.

Opening gifts for the couple was next. Martha unveiled from the beautifully wrapped gifts gorgeous bowls, a set of pots and pans, a cookbook, lemon apron and pot. holder, dishes, tablecloth, and pitcher among other lovely items. It was fun for all to see the nice things the couple will be using soon.

Guests left the shower feeling well-fed, happy to have met Martha and friends, looking forward to the April wedding day, and loving their sweet bouquet of spring florals. C’était magnifique, Casey and Jami!

Scenes from SVT – Vintage Petals, Pastels and a June “I Do”

January has us buzzing in the studio as we meet with wonderful clients planning their 2026 weddings and showers. It’s a season full of fresh ideas, thoughtful details, and plenty of pretty plates. Today, we’re featuring Breanna and her mom, who spent a lovely afternoon designing a tablescape that felt both joyful and timeless.

They gravitated toward vintage floral plates with a soft focus on pink, green, and yellow—an effortlessly romantic palette. Colored goblets in pink/peach, green, light purple, and amber/yellow added warmth and sparkle, while classic silver-plated flatware grounded the look with tradition.

This charming tablescape will welcome guests as Breanna and Ryan join in matrimony this June at the Honeysuckle Tea House, a setting as sweet as the celebration itself.

Feature – From Sweethearts to Besties: A Vintage Valentine’s Guide

Vintage makes every kind of love feel a little more meaningful—and a lot more fun. Here are Valentine’s, Galentine’s, and Guyentine’s ideas with charming old-school twists that feel thoughtful, not fussy.

❤️ Valentine’s — Old-Fashioned Romance

Sweetheart Supper, 1940s Style
Cream plates with gold rims, linen napkins, and handwritten place cards. One flower per plate—simple, proper, irresistible.
“Just Desserts” Date Night
Serve three small desserts on mismatched vintage plates. Bonus points for a shared cake stand and real forks (no plastic love here).
Love Letters & Lockets
Exchange handwritten notes tucked beneath salad plates or inside a small envelope at each setting.
Blush, Burgundy & Brass
Layer soft pink china with brass candlesticks and vintage glassware for a table that whispers romance instead of shouting it.

💕 Galentine’s — Vintage Fun with Flair

Tea Party with a Twist
Mismatched teacups, tiered trays, scones… and a splash of bubbly in the cups because we’re grown now.
Color-Pop Tablescape
Everyone gets a different vintage plate pattern. The table looks collected, not coordinated—and that’s the magic.
Handwritten Notes Only
No phones, just fountain pens, notecards, and sweet (or funny) notes written to one another during dessert.
Grandmother’s China, Modern Menu
Serve charcuterie, pastries, or takeout on fine china. Fancy plates, casual food = instant charm.

💙 Guyentine’s — Classic, Comfortable, Cool

Steakhouse at Home
Heavy vintage stoneware, cloth napkins, and old-school glassware. Simple, sturdy, and surprisingly handsome.
Retro Game Night
Cards, dominoes, or chess paired with vintage snack plates and proper cocktail glasses.
Old Hollywood Movie Night
Think black-and-white films, popcorn in vintage bowls, and drinks served in etched glasses.
No-Frills, Well-Set Table
Neutral plates, ironstone, or mid-century pieces prove vintage doesn’t have to mean delicate.

Vintage has a way of slowing things down—in the best possible way. Whether it’s romance, friendship, or good company, a table set with history always makes the moment feel worth savoring. Contact us if you’d like to add a little vintage to your love celebration!

SVT News – A New Year at the Table

The start of a new year always invites a pause—just long enough to reflect before setting the table for what’s next. For Southern Vintage Table, we’ve been asking ourselves three simple (but meaningful) questions. (Thank you, Mel Robbins, for laying these questions out for us to consider!)

What do we need to stop doing or finish up?
This is the year of letting go of “almosts.” Almost-finished projects, almost-perfect systems, and saying yes when I should lovingly say no. Clearing the back burner makes room for better focus, better service, and a little breathing room—something every small business deserves.

What should we continue or expand?
We’ll be doubling down on what fills our cup and yours: thoughtfully curated vintage pieces, one-on-one design help, and helping hosts create tables that feel collected, welcoming, and personal. I plan to expand our styling offerings and continue sharing inspiration that encourages gathering—beautifully and intentionally.

What’s a new goal for the year?
We are especially excited to share this one: hosting an Open House with Beau Catering in February or March. A chance to open the doors, set a few tables, share good food, and gather with fellow creatives, friends of SVT, and clients who love meaningful details as much as we do.

Here’s to a year of finishing well, continuing what works, and setting the table for something new. Cheers to 2026—may it be full of good company and even better gatherings 🥂

Southern Vintage Table Events – From Our Collection to Our Family Table

This Christmas, the tablescape felt extra special. We spend the year helping others with their events, so designing the table for our own family dinner was a true delight. Every piece was vintage, lovingly collected over time from thrift and consignment shops and now part of the Southern Vintage Table collection.

Woven placemats grounded the table, topped with delicate green floral plates, an assortment of vintage green goblets, soft napkins, and gold flatware. Vintage green and clear peg votives nestled into brass candleholders cast a soft glow down the table, while small evergreen trees ran through the center, adding just the right touch of Christmas charm. Set against a lightly patterned green tablecloth, everything felt timeless and inviting—just the way Christmas should.

The meal was delicious, the conversation lingered, and the table did exactly what it’s meant to do: bring people together. Proof that well-loved vintage pieces shine brightest when shared with family.

Scenes from SVT – December at the Table: Vintage Christmas Eve Traditions & a Sparkling New Year

December parties have a way of feeling extra special. Maybe it’s the glow of candlelight, the clink of vintage glassware, or the comforting pull of traditions that have been passed down through generations. This year, we’re celebrating the season with two gatherings that beautifully capture the spirit of December: a meaningful Christmas Eve and a festive New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Eve will be wrapped in timeless holiday colors—green, red, and gold—set with our vintage green Whitehall goblets. These beloved goblets always steal the show, with their shape resembling upside-down Christmas trees, adding just the right touch of whimsy to a very traditional table. Also donning her tables will be our vintage silverplate flatware, a mixed set of green napkins, and a blend of green bottles and vases for florals.

The evening will be hosted by Chef Katie of Beau Catering, who is welcoming her family and honoring her Italian heritage with a Feast of the Seven Fishes. For those unfamiliar with this cherished Christmas Eve tradition, the meal features seven different dishes, each highlighting a type of fish. It’s a celebration rich with meaning, family history, and, of course, incredible food. Truly the kind of gathering that reminds us why the table matters so much this time of year.

The second celebration couldn’t be more fitting for ringing in the new year. A Roaring Twenties–themed New Year’s Eve party will be held in an historic Durham home that will celebrate its 100th birthday next year—talk about perfect timing.

The table will feature a glamorous mix of vintage glassware with gold trim, elegant champagne coupes ready for midnight toasts, and cream, white, and gold salad plates that feel straight out of a Jazz Age soirée. Every piece was chosen to echo the era’s love of refinement and celebration, while still feeling warm and inviting. Gold salad forks will also be included in Angela’s order.

As the clock strikes midnight, this century-old home will step confidently into its next hundred years, dressed in gold and filled with laughter. Proof that when history and hospitality meet at the table, the party practically plans itself.

With Christmas Eve rooted in tradition and New Year’s Eve ready to sparkle, December is proving once again that the best celebrations start with good company and a thoughtfully set table. Here’s to savoring every course, every story, and every beautiful detail as we close out the year in style.

Scenes from SVT – A Classic Fall Table with a Fresh Twist

Hannah and Bobby visited the studio last month to plan their fall wedding, and from the moment they began, we were struck by the mutual respect and ease they share while working together. Their collaboration was thoughtful and unhurried, setting the stage for a table design that felt both meaningful and welcoming.

For their all-season celebration, they selected brown and yellow wildflower stoneware, choosing two complementary designs that balance warmth and charm. Gold vintage goblets were paired with the brown stoneware, while green vintage goblets added a fresh note to the yellow wildflowers. A unique detail ties both designs together: vintage gold and cream plates layered between the wildflower stoneware at every table.

They finished the look with our cool vintage stainless steel flatware—clean, classic, and effortlessly timeless. Altogether, the tables promise a relaxed yet polished feel, perfectly suited for a fall wedding and a couple who clearly enjoys creating side by side.

Scenes from SVT – Before the Crates Leave for the Party

There’s a lovely hush that settles over the studio when a wedding order is almost packed. Plates from every corner of our collection gather in tidy stacks, each one chosen with care. Goblets line up like colorful little soldiers, ready to sparkle under reception lights. Napkins, folded and fluffed, wait patiently for their moment at the table. Vintage flatware is counted and tea cups matched with salad plates and colored goblets.

This is the part we secretly adore—the quiet pause before celebration. It’s where all the mixing and matching finally clicks into place, and you can almost imagine the clink of glasses and the laughter yet to come. Sometimes the vintage plates are packed by color and other times they are sorted by tables.

Every crate holds a tiny preview of someone’s beautiful day, and sending them off feels a bit like waving goodbye to old friends headed on a grand adventure. Packing may be practical, but it’s also wonderfully heartwarming. A final glance, a gentle close of the lid, and off they go—to shine, delight, and help set the scene for memories that will last for years.

Scenes from SVT – An Explosion of Colors on Avery’s Reception Tables

We had such a good time pulling each piece for Avery’s tables—mixing colors, trying new pairings, and celebrating every cheerful combination they chose. We’ve helped several clients bring this lively table-color theme to life, but Avery made it her own by adding a playful mix of napkin colors that took the whole look up a notch. Sharing that creative spark with Avery and her mom made the studio feel especially lively, and we loved every minute of bringing their vibrant vision together.

We had such a good time pulling each piece for Avery’s tables—mixing colors, trying new pairings, and celebrating every cheerful combination they chose. Sharing that creative energy with Avery and her mom made the studio feel especially lively, and we loved every minute of bringing their vibrant vision together.

Vintage Reception Tables with Vintage Printed Tablecloths

Southern Vintage Table Events – An Heirloom Touch to a Joyful Wedding

When a bride arrives with an armful of her mother’s vintage printed kitchen tablecloths, you just know the celebration is going to have heart. Each cloth carried its own story, its own color palette, its own little wink of nostalgia—and she asked us to pair our vintage plates to each one. A request like that? Music to our ears.

One by one, we matched vintage patterns and colors from our shelves to her family treasures. With the vintage cloths draped over crisp white linens—many set at a charming angle—the tables bloomed with personality. Add in our vintage silver-plated flatware, and the whole setting felt like a love letter to generations past.

Seeing it all come together was pure delight. They adored the final look, and so did we. Moments like this remind us why we do what we do—blending beauty, memory, and a touch of whimsy at every table.

Venue – The Barn at Union Grove
Planner – An Event to Remember
Rentals – American Party Rentals
Vintage Rentals – Southern Vintage Table
Caterer – Beau Catering
Photography – Carly Hinson
Hair Artist – Jade Marion
Florist- An Event to Remember
Band-Fresh Take/East Coast Entertainment

Thank you, Helen and Christian, so much for your thoughtful review—your kind words and your beautiful vision truly made our day.

Southern Vintage Table brought our vision to life! We wanted to incorporate my mother’s vintage tablecloth collection at each table, and Shelly expertly matched the undertones of each tablecloth to a unique set of plates to each table. She was fun to work with, budget friendly, and we loved the outcome!

Scenes from SVT – Designing a 250-Guest Vintage Tabletop With Ruth

We welcomed Ruth, her mom, and her sister to the studio last month, all the way from Salisbury. After searching high and low for vintage china closer to home, they made the trip to us—and we’re so glad they did.

With a guest count of 250, they needed a plentiful mix, and goodness, did they curate a beautiful blend. Their selection included soft blue and green delicate patterns, rich red and gold designs, airy green florals, charming blue florals, dreamy purples, and a lovely assortment of cream plates edged in gold. One by one, they pulled pieces that felt just right, creating a collection that will look stunning spread across their reception tables.

We can’t wait to see this thoughtful palette come to life on Ruth and Reese’s wedding day coming May, 2026!