The Table Design Exhibition's third edition took place in Istanbul from December 4-6 at the Rixos Tersane Resort. A brand new hotel located in a 600-year-old historical heritage district Tersane, along the Golden Horn, a branch of the Bosphorus.
Organized by KM Events, Meltem Tepeler, this year's theme, "Art of Winter," was perfectly timed to welcome the Christmas season.
Nine of the world's foremost wedding and event designers were showcasing their unique styles by creating the most stunning tablescapes, but really, they were all more like a real experience, not just a decorated table. 600 Attendees from 36 countries were at the opening ceremony. After the first evening celebrating the opening of the exhibition, two days of conferences, meetings, and masterclasses followed.
Table Design Exhibition 2024 was a huge success. There's no doubt about that. Enjoy all the beautiful photos, stories, and quotes from all present in Istanbul for this magnificent event.
What Is the Table Design Exhibition 'Art of Winter' About?
This time is the perfect time for the theme 'Art of Winter'. The designers turned this theme into their own style. They are all different, yet amazing to see what these event designers can do with space, flowers, and a story. As often said in design, the result is bigger than the sum of all ingredients, it's called 'gestalt'! When one plus one becomes 3 or more.
The exhibition transforms a previously empty ballroom into a stunning and exquisite display of innovative, romantic, and iconic flowers. The smell of 20K scented flowers from Parfum Flower Company brought that extra dimension, where one's dreams come through. And all the details that each designer thought about, were fantastic. Phalaenopsis by Walter was present in a few luxurious designs that made your jaw drop, as did the roses from Royal Flowers, The Elite Flower, Voorn Spray Roses, Florsani, Broekhof, Bernhard, and Decorum's assortment, all organized perfectly by Pascale from Floral Charm. There was good lighting, nice food, drinks, music, ballet dancing, and a band to end the evenings which was bringing amusement to all. KM Events, with the fierce Meltem Tepeler as the organizer for this event, for the third year, made it happen. With her family and her team, they rocked, from the looks of it all to the creativity conference, the B2B meetings, the masterclasses, and even hair and make-up by @lisabridalhairmakeup.
A First Glimpse of the Designs You Find at the Table Design Exhibition 2024
Here's a photo drop of the tables designed at the Table Design Exhibition organized by KM Events, with Meltem Tepeler as the force behind it. All different translations of 'Art of Winter'.
Not only the table designs are part of the exhibition, but also educational panel talks regarding event planning and event design. What's new this year is the Creativity Conference. A good thing according to Tomas De Bruyne, creative director for this event. The organization invited Tomas to take on the role of Creative Director and join the advisory board following the inaugural edition, where he made a significant contribution as one of the lead designers. The Art of Creativity is foremost important for the visual impact and feelings that come along.
Previous Editions
Read more about the Table Design Exhibition 2023: Global Wedding Planners Showcase Their Best Table Designs for Türkiye’s 100th Anniversary:
A big thank you to Meltem Tepeler, owner of KM Events, one of Turkey’s leading wedding planning and design companies, for inviting Thursd.com to cover the story of the second edition table design exhibition in Istanbul. Although the past year was a difficult one for Turkey with a terrible earthquake, war, and an economically difficult situation, they decided to organize this event anyway. At a time when so many of us wish for peace, this was an opportunity to be a part of something that brings together designers and event professionals from around the globe.
The Hilton Bosphorus Istanbul hosted the exhibition, and it was sponsored by Istanbul Cicekleri, Pascal Matia Export, and Royal Flowers Group with floral creative director Tomas de Bruyne. It's the only international table design exhibition created to inspire the global event and wedding industry to support art and creativity. Global celebrity event and luxury wedding designers curated individual designs and exhibited their tablescapes based on the year's specific theme: Celebrate Art & Creativity is 'Türkiye’s 100th Anniversary'.
2nd Edition Table Design Exhibition in Istanbul
The Exhibition’s goal is to inspire the luxury event industry by showcasing magnificent designs by world-renowned designers, as well as provide incredible gastronomic experiences, educational panel discussions, informative workshops, exclusive events, and unique Istanbul experiences. KM Events' Creative Director Tomas de Bruyne shares his experience.
Tomas:
"It was an absolute privilege and joy to be invited as a guest and also as the speaker and Creative Director for the second edition of the Table Design Exhibition in Istanbul, a visionary event orchestrated by KM Events and Bluechip at the iconically Hilton Bosphorus.
Having been intimately involved as both the Creative Director and a designer in the inaugural edition, I am excited to share a few transformative insights from this incredible event."
First off, a round of applause to the organizers, team, and partners for their extraordinary vision and execution. Assembling the crème de la crème of the world’s wedding planners and designers is a task of monumental inspiration and leadership. The event was a masterclass in marrying the creative spirit with the business world, creating a multi-dimensional tapestry of innovation and elegance.
Tomas continues:
"Witnessing the unique expressions of each designer was akin to walking through a global village of creativity. From the vibrant cultures of America to Europe and Asia, each table was a universe of its own, mirroring the designer’s soul and cultural heritage.
Whether it was the intricate floral designs, the immersive experiential elements, or the mesmerizing décor, each creation was a spectacle on its own."
More Than Just Table Design
Many could witness this was more than just table design, the merging of event planners with floral design showed the whole world extravagant results.
Tomas de Bruyne:
"The gathering of such esteemed creative minds was not just an event; it was a celebration of human potential and artistry. Also, this year’s designs went beyond mere table arrangements; they were intricate stories told through space, flowers, and texture, inviting us to reimagine the ordinary.
This event was not just a gathering, but a fusion of wisdom, where titans of our industry shared the tapestry of their journeys, the hurdles they overcame, and their triumphs. The panel discussions, featuring a handpicked selection of this and last year’s most visionary designers and planners were a profound learning experience in growth and innovation. These conversations transcended dialogue; they acted as catalysts, enabling emerging designers and planners to leap into new vistas of creativity and opportunity, inspired by the wisdom and paths carved out by the pioneers before them."
You Had to Be There - At the Table Design Exhibition
"The event truly lived up to the phrase, 'You had to be there'. Being there myself, I found the experience truly rewarding. The opportunity to reconnect with respected colleagues and to meet new faces during the B2B sessions was invaluable for building professional networks. The dinners, in particular, created a splendid environment that further enhanced our opportunities for engaging in meaningful conversations and deepening our connections. I'm already looking forward to the next edition in 2024 with great anticipation, an event that is undoubtedly a must-attend in my calendar."
Tomas De Bruyne - Floral Experiences Worldwide
Great Educational Panel Discussions and Gastronomic Diners
Not only was the event spectacular because of the table designs but also the panel discussions that made clear what luxury was all about, were brilliant for everybody who wanted to learn.
And as if the days weren't magnificent already evenings made it clear what a ballroom should look like and how an audience has to be treated. All the guests getting picked up in their hotels, which by the way were all fabulous, got the best gala evenings one could wish for. And a true celebration of 100 years of Turkey. After a boot ride on the Bosphorus, guests enjoyed a red dress code gala night in the Peninsula Hotel.
Table Design Exhibition 2022 Recap
Going back to November 2022, when the first annual Table Design Exhibition - Istanbul Capital of Celebrations took place. Nine world-renowned wedding designers, planners, and florists came together to create wonderful interpretations of their love for Istanbul in exquisite installations and extraordinary table setups that left exhibition visitors in awe. These fabulous designers created breathtaking table designs at Raffles Istanbul: Edgardo Zamora, Gideon Hermosa, Nadia Duran, Eddie Zaratsian, Ghada Blanco, Arturo de Noriega, Sarah Young, Meltem Tepeler, Elmas Özier, Tomas de Bruyne, and Colin Cowie.
World-Renowned Designers Line Up
Colin Cowie, a world-famous celebrity wedding designer who recently designed and planned Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s wedding chose a red rose theme for his royal setup to convey his love for Istanbul and created a classy and timeless table perched underneath green arches dotted with red flowers and romantic hanging candle holders.
Edgardo Zamora, the designer behind Hollywood's Emmy and Oscar award ceremonies and many celebrity events, created an enchanting secret garden lush with greenery and hanging blooms. Exquisite detailing and art were brought to life in Edgardo's secret garden.
Eddie Zaratsian, an LA-based international floral designer who has many client celebrities including Kim Kardashian, created a chic symphony of flower arrangements and shimmering candles in white, cream, peach, and pastel hues.
Belgian Tomas de Bruyne, known as one of Europe’s most famous floral designers, offers his clients around the world unique floral architectural experiences. For the Table Design Exhibition, Tomas was inspired by Istanbul's rich cultural and historical heritage and created a floral story that merges his design signature style with emblematic symbols of Istanbul.
Lebanese wedding designer, Ghada Blanco, who designed and planned several royal weddings in the Middle East, created a gorgeous Istanbul-themed table setup surrounded by green walls and hanging crystal chandeliers. The chairs, tableware, linen, and accessories delightfully reflected Turkish art and design.
Nadia Duran, one of the most famous wedding designers in Australia, created a vibrant stand reflecting the beautiful colors of Istanbul and its cityscape. Abundant with colorful flowers, Nadia's stand was a show stopper for visitors taking selfies and photos with this beautiful background.
Gideon Hermosa, one of the most famous wedding designers of the Asian Continent, created a breathtaking table inspired by the colors and shapes of Pamukkale (a town in western Turkey known for its mineral-rich thermal waters). The Philippine-born designer used soft colors in, mostly, blush pink and white to create his magical table.
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Peruvian Arturo de Noriega, a famous wedding designer in Latin America, created a classic royal setup in black, red, and gold using tall candelabras decorated with red roses, and candles. A green wall of tea light candles added a romantic feel to the setup that also included hanging greenery and chandeliers.
Sarah Young, a celebrity wedding designer, and planner from Malta created a colorful yet classic design, infused with gold accents, which reflected Istanbul's colors and rich cultural heritage.
Meltem Tepeler and Elmas Özler, the event organizers, also presented their table design prepared with the event's main sponsor Karaca. They designed an Atatürk-themed Turkish table which coincided with the Atatürk Commemoration Day on the 10th of November.
A One-Of-A-Kind Event Regarding Table Design
This one-of-a-kind event also featured a table design competition, panel discussions, music performances, and exquisite gastronomy highlighting Istanbul as an international celebration destination of the world. The table design competition was organized for both local and international designers providing them with an unparalleled opportunity to present their creative table set-up designs to world-famous jury members. Melisa Demirhan Var from MH Dream Maker, Erica Jones, and Valerie Francois from O Luxe Design, Inc. were the winners of this competition.
With the support of the Panel Sponsor, Yapı Kredi Crystal, several panels were held on different topics including 'Why is Istanbul the Capital of Celebrations', 'The importance of Luxury Events and Weddings in Promoting Cities', 'Art of Celebration' and 'Gastronomy and Sustainability in the Art of Celebration'.
The panels were managed by leading moderators in the field and attended by international and Turkish opinion leaders, designers, event planners, and the media. Workshops were also held alongside the Exhibition where interesting and important information was shared on 'Turkish Grapes in Glasses' and 'An Empress at Beylerbeyi Palace'. In addition to the main sponsor, Karaca, several other companies sponsored and supported the event.
