Madly Marvelous Tablescape Competition

Minimum Number of Competitors

This competition will be held with a minimum of five competitors.

Entry Qualifications

• Open exclusively to former Texas Designers of the Year.
• Must be a member of the Texas State Florists’ Association (TSFA).

Wonderland Members Pass Complimentary Registration

Competitors receive one complimentary Wonderland Members Pass registration to attend the Texas Floral Showcase in Tyler.

Entry Deadline

• Competitors must submit the official entry form by Sept.15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
• The deadline will be strictly enforced.

Entry Receipt and Acceptance

• Only former Texas Designers of the Year who are current members of TSFA will be accepted.
• Upon completion of the digital entry form, a confirmation email will be automatically sent to the email on file.
• Prior to the competition, competitors will receive complete instructions.

Sole Effort

The competitor’s activities will constitute a sole effort with no assistance from anyone in any manner, with the exception of:

• Loading into and out of the competition space.
• Packing and cleaning their space prior to loading out.

Theme

Competitors will create a fully conceptualized tablescape aligned with the event theme: Through the Looking Glass.

Competition Schedule

• 10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Former Texas Designers of the Year set their Madly Marvelous Tablescapes.
• 2:15-3:30 p.m. — Professional judging will name the Champion and 2nd and 3rd runner up!
• 3:30-5:30 p.m. — Public viewing and voting will crown one designer as the Royal Court's Favorite!
• 6-7:30 p.m.
  • Everything’s Coming Up Roses design program with Deborah De La Flor.
  • Madly Marvelous Tablescape Competition winners announced.
• 7:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Madly Marvelous Tablescape Competition tables viewing with competitors.
  • White Rabbit’s Marketplace.
  • Twilight in the rose garden.
• 8:30 p.m. — The key closes the garden gate in exchange for memories and moments.
• All Dismantled by 10 p.m.

Madly Marvelous Tablescape Competition Dismantle

• Competitor is responsible to dismantle the tablescape at 8:30 p.m.
• All related product must be dismantled and space cleared and clean by 10 p.m.

Materials Provided by TSFA

• One 72” round table.
• Eight chairs, placed around the perimeter of the table.
• One 132” white floor-length linen.
• Sign noting the name, credentials, city and state of the designer.

Materials Provided by the Competitor

• Tools needed to install, design and dismantle the tablescape.
• All materials to create the tablescape. No sponsorship is allowed, other than the competitor’s place of business. This guideline is in place out of respect for the Texas Floral Education Underwriters.
  • Design materials may include, but are not limited to, the following:
    • Fresh flowers, foliage and branches.
    • Foraged materials.
    • Dried materials.
    • Permanent botanicals.
    • Vessels.
    • Props.
    • Supplies.
  • At a minimum, 80% of the design must be fresh or dried florals. No more than 20% permanent botanicals are allowed.
  • Competitors may provide the following non-floral materials:
    • One or more linens other than the white linen provided by TSFA.
    • One or more overlays.
    • Chair covers.
    • Sashes.
    • Battery-operated lighting.
  • Competitors may not provide placemats, napkins, candles or guest favors. This is to ensure focus on floral artistry.

Design Parameters

• Table must provide access for guest seating in the surrounding chairs.
• Tablescape dimensions must be within the tabletop perimeter.
• Suspensions from ceiling or venue structures are not permitted.
• Designs must be structurally stable and may not be permanently affixed to the table with nails, screws, glue, etc.
• No electrical power is available. Battery-operated elements are permitted.

Social Media

No social media posting, recording or livestreaming may be done during installation or judging.

Voting Etiquette

Designers may not campaign or solicit votes in any way or through any method.

Professional Judging | 2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

• Judging will be based on a 100-point scoring system with each consideration scored on a five-point scale, with one point to designate poor and five points to designate excellent.
• The scores will be totaled for each category.
• In the event of a tie, the judges will re-evaluate the tied competitors for the consideration of artistic execution.

Royal Court’s Favorite Voting | 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Each attendee will receive one voting ticket.
• Each attendee may place their one voting ticket in the voting box at their favorite table.

Adherence to Competition Rules

• If rules are not followed, the tablescape will be disqualified.
• The Texas Designer of the Year Chair will determine disqualification after any issue is reviewed by the TSFA President and TSFA Executive Director.

Score Sheets

Score sheets with the judges’ comments and critiques will be emailed to each competitor following the competition.