Color Stories with Personality

Color stories this season are moving beyond what’s traditionally expected for colder months. Rather than sticking to deep burgundies or dusty neutrals, clients are choosing palettes based on tone, emotion, and personal identity.

Samantha Sheehy of The Perfect Match Weddings shared that “this fall and winter, we have designed a lot of colorful weddings that are bringing a variety of hues into their color palette,” ranging from vibrant oranges and greens to deep purples, pinks, and blues. These bold combinations aren’t a seasonal statement, they’re a personal one. “Our clients are pushing the typical boundaries when it comes to ‘seasonal’ colors and instead choosing the palette that speaks to them and their personal style,” she added.

Featured Rentals: Velvet Rose, Capri SS Flatware, Finezza Cream China, Hemstitch Ivory Napkin, Timeless Stemware, Walter Olive Velvet Sofa, Jolie Indigo, Opulent Velvet Lime, Magnolia Fog Napkin, Rustico Grey Wood Charger, Charleston Champagne Flatware, Giulietta Floral Dinner Plate, Heirloom Smoke China, Debutante Grey Goblet, Colby Cut Crystal Stemware

This approach is mirrored in how planners are layering colors. Devyn Farias of Emerald Events noted, “I’m seeing couples lean into richer, more grounded palettes. Chartreuse green is definitely leading the way right now, especially when paired with deep reds and dusty, cool-toned blues.” There’s also growing interest in subtle depth through tone-on-tone layering. As she explains, “There’s still interest in playing with tonal variations, like layering olive with forest or crimson with a softer blush.”

These palettes reflect a broader shift toward intentionality, where color isn’t chosen to match a season, but to evoke a feeling.

Table Layouts That Bend the Rules

The structure of a table layout is playing a much bigger role in the visual identity of an event. Gone are the days of defaulting to long rectangles and rounds.

“We’re seeing more of a desire for unique tablescapes,” said Sheehy, “with fun layouts such as serpentine tables, square tables, and round tables pushed together to create a wavy pattern.” These shapes don’t just add visual movement, they influence how guests connect with the space and with one another. The layout is now a part of the experience design, not just the floor plan.

Featured Rentals: Bentwood Natural Chair, Serpentine Table, Selma Natural Spool Chair, Checkered Plaid Elderberry, Bentwood Light Fruitwood Chair, Nola White, Tuscany Plum Napkin, Tondo Charger, Kaleb Cotton Stoneware, Stiletto Alabaster Flatware

Lighting Takes the Spotlight

Lighting has long been one of the most transformative design tools, but this season, it’s being used in increasingly intentional ways. There’s less focus on sheer ambiance and more emphasis on character.

“We’re seeing a lot of attention directed towards lighting,” said Nicole Mower of Nicole Mower Events, “whether that means interesting overhead lighting or incorporating table lamps into centerpieces.” These tabletop lighting moments create intimacy and structure in unexpected ways, especially when paired with sculptural floral design or rich textile layers. It’s not just about the glow, it’s about where that glow is coming from.

Featured Rentals: Selma Natural Spool Chair, Morgan Natural, Sven Wishbone Natural Chair, Patchwork Moss, Conservatory Tent

Layers, Draping, and Movement in Linens

There’s a softness coming through in linens and textiles this season, draped, scrunched, or pooled fabrics that add dimension without overwhelming a tablescape. Oversized linens and layered runners are being styled in ways that feel ethereal and a bit unstudied (in the best way). The goal? Structure with softness. Visual volume without clutter.

This tactile trend works especially well alongside sculptural florals or statement lighting as it lets bolder design elements breathe while still anchoring the table visually.

Featured Linens: Belfast Flax, Velvet Cafe Noir, Weston Wheat Plaid

Florals Go Sculptural (and a Little Edible)

Floral design continues to move into a more architectural, artful space. Rather than leaning on fullness, arrangements are being shaped around space, scale, and contrast.

“Florals are more sculptural with intentional negative space,” said Farias, whose clients are leaning into modern, minimal compositions that often include unexpected materials. “There’s a big push to use food as art,” she added, “whether that’s edible florals, styled plating, or unexpected presentation moments.” These elements help centerpieces become more than just floral accents, they’re layered moments of texture, color, and even taste.

Even candlelight is evolving. “Candlelight is still a staple,” she noted, “but it’s showing up with more color and funk. Think bold shapes, tinted glass, and mixed sizes instead of traditional tapers.”

Featured Rentals: Shimmer Champagne, Optical Glassware, Margaux Whitewash Chair, Westerly Ocean, Becket Ivory & White, Rhodes Burl Flatware, Lamour Olivino Napkin

Lounges That Feel Like Home, But Better

Lounges are moving far beyond the tufted-sofa-and-area-rug formula. This season, they’re being designed with the same intention as dining areas by matching the tone, palette, and energy of the overall event design.

Expect vintage-inspired silhouettes, rich wood finishes, velvet upholstery, and curated vignettes that look more like styled interiors than rental setups. These are places where guests actually want to stay, not just perch for a photo.

Featured Lounge Pieces: Walter Olive Velvet Sofa, Serafina Cream Outdoor Sofa, Ingrid Wicker Side Chair, Wicker Coffee Table, Phoebe Sage Sofa, Marella Woven Side Chair, Lani Rattan Side Table, Olive & Marigold Pillow Package

Looking Ahead

Fall and winter 2025 design is rooted in creative freedom. Clients are trusting their style instincts, planners are encouraging more experimentation, and the result is a design season that feels expressive, artistic, and far less bound to tradition. And if early requests for 2026 are any clue, things are only getting bolder from here.