For this year's Cinco De Mayo festivities, I wanted to create the feeling or essence of being in a small Mexican village (after 7 weeks of self-isolation due to the global pandemic, I'm dreaming of past and future travels daily!) for my outdoor fiesta. I wanted the environment to feel light and airy, yet still be grounded. To pull it all together, I wanted the look to have:
*Lots of neutrals shades - reminiscent of sand and terra cotta
*Desert fauna & ingredients- cacti, succulents, limes, jalapeños
*A few pops of muted accent colours - butter yellow representing the sun and rainbow colours representing the pottery, textiles, clothing and decor colours found throughout Mexico
*Lots of twinkle lights and candles to set the mood
To create the Mexican aesthetic I was going for, I followed 5 Steps To Create An Outdoor Desert Fiesta,
Step 1: The Colour Palette - As the background and table throw, along with the woven reed chargers and glass cozies are all neutrals, I used matte black cutlery to add interest to the palette and provide a grounding contrast. Too much neutral can have a washed out look without adding some variety.
Step 2: Layer - Adding layers to a table and place setting adds depth and a visual break. Using textured dinner and salad plates, along with a woven reed charger and woven glass cozy adds an elevated surface quality to the setting.
Step 3: Create a Focal Point - As this was an outside fiesta tablescape, I decided to use elements found in a desert habitat. Using cacti, succulents, limes and jalapeños (use edible ingredients for a surprise element when possible!) kept a very natural and monochromatic look to pull the table together.
I tend to primarily use flowers for centrepieces, but wanted to play on the Cinco De Mayo menu and cocktail theme of the evening with this fun Jalapeño Candle Centrepiece. Full post on how to create this Cinco De Mayo centrepiece can be found here.
Step 4: Light - Candles & Lots of Twinkle Lights - A tablescape is not complete without the ambience created by candles. They are a must! Candles set the mood for the evening. As day turns to dusk, they provide soft lighting for the fiesta to keep going into the wee hours. Strings upon strings of twinkle lights and Edison bulbs add extra softness to the meal and the evening.
5. Place Cards - Whether you are hosting a formal get together or a casual evening, place cards are a must. Having pre-arranged seating allows the host to ensure everyone has a good time. Thoughtful seating is essential to help introduce guests who may not know anyone, keep guests apart (hopefully this doesn't happen too often!) and make sure the lefty's are in the right table spot so that they don't feel squished when they are eating. The simple calligraphy jalapeño place cards (image below) are a cute play on the Jalapeño Centrepiece to tie the table together.
Let me know if you use these 5 steps to create your own Cinco De Mayo tablescape, I'd love to see your creations. Comment below or post your fiesta pics to #mykuratedlife on Instagram. If you'd like more Cinco De Mayo inspiration, click here for my Spicy Mango Margarita cocktail recipe and here for a round-up of Cinco De Mayo fiesta menu ideas.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo,
Krista xo
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