As a hostess, my table in the Make-Shift Theatre at the Hill Stead Museum featured a petite picture frame with the image of “Jockeys” by Edgar Degas, which is on display in the museum collection. I placed two French lavender sachets by each place card as a nod to France and Impressionist artists. It was a pleasure to arrange the medley of pink flowers for the event.
When hosting a large event, table names or numbers are required in order for the guests to be able to discover their table.
Being quarantined, for what seems like an eternity, I began to dream about parties! As I viewed some of my photographs for inspiration, I joyfully discovered photographs from the very last event held over a month ago, which I assisted in hosting. My gracious! Times have changed radically since then. Oh, how I cherish those sweet memories of being with dear friends!
The event was a lady’s luncheon to introduce the new Executive Director of the Hill-Stead Museum, Anna Swinborne, to friends and supporters of the museum. The Hill-Stead, a beloved treasure in the historic village of Farmington, Connecticut, is a private country estate designed by Theodate Pope Riddle in 1901 for her parents. Theodate was one of America's first female architects. She worked with the renowned architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White on the Hill-Stead project. Theodate was a graduate of Miss Porter’s School where my two daughters attended, too. I do hope you’ll visit the museum someday, and be sure to walk the stunning gardens and grounds… a must-do!
As we hostesses organized the table seating chart, we discussed how to reference the eight tables for our guests to discover their table assignment. I suggested that we use something other than just mundane table numbers. Our group came up with the idea to choose eight paintings from the vast collection of stellar artwork displayed in the museum (Monet, Manet, Cassatt, Degas, Whistler, to name a few). We chose a different painting to reference each table. As an avid rider, I jumped at having Edgar Degas' painting, Jockeys, 1886, at my table!
The dedicated museum staff made color copies of the eight paintings and placed them into picture frames for each table. The various images were then duplicated on a portion of the appropriate guest’s name tag to indicate the table where they would be seated. Upon arrival, in the reception area, the guests collected their name tags, along with a celebratory glass of champagne. At the completion of my commencement toast, I made reference to the name tags and explained how guests would use their name tag image to find their table.
I urge you to think creatively when numbering tables if you are orchestrating a memorable event. Astute Party Planners, the Internet, and Pinterest, all have a plethora of clever examples to inspire you too.
Claude Monet’s oil painting, “Fishing Boats at Sea.” You will also note there is a bottle of hand sanitizer to the right of the flowers. One was placed on each table by the Museum as a precautionary measure in reference to the COVID-19 Virus. It was removed from the table after it had been passed and used.
I prefer using pretty silver picture frames to distinguish the table name or number for guests. There are various short and attractive holders to grace a table as a discrete option versus tall holders. Yet, when attending banquets in a vast ballroom, the taller holders are indispensable for guests to find their designated table.
Millennial Tip
Once the entire table is seated, if there is a tall table number holder, you may ask the waiter to remove the holder from the table. I think it diminishes the overall elegance of the table and floral design. Or, as a last resort, quietly place it on the floor, out of the way of tripping anyone.
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: to change your seat from your assigned table to another table.
No-no: if there are place cards arranged on a table, to change the order of place cards unless you have a very, very good reason!