Most weddings typically showcase a color palette of lively tones. However, wedding planner Jordan Payne of Jordan Payne Events experiments with dark hues and topical motifs in her most recent styled shoot photographed by John Cain Photography. The two themes she envisioned were “dark beauty” and “Palm Beach beauty.”

The first table embodied the tropical component of the styled shoot. From the leaves to the Nüage Designs linens to the paper goods by Ceci New York, palms were the main element for the entire tablescape. “I have a deep love for palms! [It’s] such a happy and timeless design element that tends to bring relaxation to mind [and is] perfect for the summer and beach destination wedding inspiration,” Jordan expresses. Although it featured flowers and greenery, the centerpiece was more than just a floral arrangement. The one-of- a-kind piece was a true work of art from Jordan’s florist, who envisioned something different for the tropical décor. “David Kimmel wanted to design something really unique and tropical to jump off of the table, so he created an eclectic tropical statement piece complete with bamboo and hot fuchsia peonies,” she tells. The centerpiece also showcased different types of palms and lovely orange, yellow, and soft pink blooms that bundled with the fuchsia flowers and even hung from the top.

For the second table, the floral designer crafted a gorgeous centerpiece incorporating lavender, eggplant, burgundy, and fuchsia blooms. The arrangement beautifully complemented the black and gold tableware that was placed atop the purple linens. “I feel even dark, sort of soulless colors can be just as stunning as bright and vibrant colors!” Jordan affirms. “I love finding the beauty in everything.” The menus paired perfectly with tablescape as it showcased gold calligraphy, matching dark hues, and a majestic glimmering unicorn motif. “I’m also obsessed with unicorns and I thought it would be a fun, whimsical way to play with the dark beauty design,” Jordan reveals. An image of the fantastical creature was also attached to some of the wine glasses, which provided a magical element for the entire look.

Through the execution of both the dark and tropical themes, Jordan Payne demonstrated how beauty can be found in some of the most unique and non-traditional designs. Take a look at both tablescape designs in the slideshow above!