How To Set a Formal Table

Written on November 20, 2009 at 11:07 am, by Guest Blogger

If you’re like us, the prospect of setting a formal dinner table adds a frightening new level of stress to holiday planning. Salad forks? Butter knives? Yikes! Our friend Christy of Beach Brights Blog is here to remove our anxiety and help us pretty up the tabletop in style. If your Thanksgiving soiree will be a formal affair, you’ll love Christy’s super-simple guide! — Team DIY

KEY

1. Bread and butter plate
2. Water glass
3. Red wine glass
4. White wine glass
5. Dessert wine or champagne glass
6. Dinner plate
7. Dessert spoon and fork
8. Salad fork
9. Dinner fork
10. Dinner knife
11. Soup spoon
12. Butter knife

Glassware

• Always serve water. The water glass should be set at 12 o’clock.
• Wine is usually poured before the course it is being served with.
• Red wine, white wine, and dessert wine glasses should form a triangle.

Soup or Salad

• If serving soup or salad, set a plate charger on the table and set the napkin on it. The soup bowl should be served on top of the charge

Flatware

• Knife blades always face inward.
• Forks and knives are always set together.
• If a spoon is set but no soup served, it is usually set for dishes with thin sauces.
• Coffee flatware is served with the coffee.

Napkin

• Once seated, unfold the napkin on your lap. If you leave the table mid-meal, set your napkin on your chair. When the meal is finished, place your napkin next to your plate.
• Napkin folding tutorials can be found here.

Basic Etiquette

• The host or hostess will be first to start eating.
• Food is always served to your left and cleared to your right.
• Beverages are always served to your right.
• When you are finished eating, the table should be cleared. Do not leave spoons in cups or small bowls. Also, leave your silverware on your plate parallel to each other in a diagonal position.
• Centerpieces should be low so that conversation and eye contact is not obstructed.
• Individual salt and pepper shakes are placed above the main-course fork or above dessert flatware.
• It is acceptable to use placemats without a tablecloth.

XOXO-BeachBrights

www.beachbrights.blogspot.com

8 Responses to “How To Set a Formal Table”

1. November 20, 2009 at 1:40 pm, by Ashley

   This great!!! I never learned this growing up and would love to start entertaining more!

   Thanks!

2. November 20, 2009 at 1:49 pm, by katherinemarie

   WHAT A GORGEOUS and HELPFUL guide… I’m going to print this off so I can use it this year!

3. November 20, 2009 at 1:55 pm, by Sherry Keltner

   Thanks so much for this easy to understand guide. My in-laws will be so impressed when I set the table over the holidays!

4. November 20, 2009 at 2:44 pm, by ElleBows

   Wow! This is incredibly helpful and just in time for Thanksgiving!! Bookmarking this for sure

5. November 20, 2009 at 3:45 pm, by Dale

   Wow, a great thing to print and store with the good dishesfor reference! You’re amazing.

6. November 20, 2009 at 4:21 pm, by Katie

   I need to save this page! Thanks!

7. November 20, 2009 at 8:18 pm, by Lisa

   Oh thank you…just in time for the holidays!

8. November 22, 2009 at 9:51 pm, by Pam Fitz

   My mom taught me how to set a proper table, but I definitely needed a little refresher- thanks!!