You’re hosting an important dinner party, and can’t remember if the charger goes under the salad plate. Does the champagne flute go in front of the wine glass, or to the left of the setting? Pretty soon, your dinner table setting looks like a child’s tea party, not the Martha Stewart inspiration you had in mind. The formal table and casual table setting does have rules that require a little planning, and organized consistency. Here is your guide to the rules of the table, for both a casual and formal dinner table setting for your next event.
Casual Table Setting:
These table setting guidelines are ideal for day-to-day affairs, and add a touch of elegance to a simple dinner party or get-together:
• Always make sure the wine glass and drinking glass are positioned to the right ; think ‘2’o clock’ of the dinner plate for drinks
• The salad fork and dinner fork will always set to the left of the dinner plate, and dinner knife and teaspoon to the right
• The dinner plate will be the center of the place setting, and the salad plate will be above and to the let; think ’10 o’clock’ for the salad
You can add some personal details such as flower arrangements, seasonal décor, and candles to the main table as a centerpiece
Formal Table Setting:
The formal dinner table setting is a little more complicated. It requires a few adjustments, as well as making sure all the utensils and place settings area available for each course. You will need to make sure you have a matching set of each piece; no mixing and matching allowed! Since it is likely you will have multiple courses at the formal dinner table, you will be stacking various plates and and pieces accordingly.
To create ultimate elegance at your formal gathering, add matching flowers, a guest note card or keepsake, and a wine charm to each glass. Seats are generally assigned, so a handwritten place card or personalized setting is perfect. Hosts should always sit at the end of each table as a courtesy to the guests and party.
• The wine glass will go above and to the right of the knife, with the water glass directly above the knife’s tip. The champagne flute (if you are serving champagne) will go behind the wine glass.
• Add a charger to the plate setting for a unique design and splash of color. This will go under your dinner plates. Your dishes will then include dinner plate, followed by salad plate on top. A soup bowl will be the final addition. Think large plate, medium plate, bowl for stacking order. A butter plate with butter knife will go above left of the dinner plate (10 o’clock).
• Place the salad fork on the outer edge, followed by the dinner fork to the left of the dinner plate. The dinner knife, soup spoon, and seafood fork will go to the right (seafood fork to the outermost right). Think from left to right:
SaladF, DF-dinner plate-DK, SS, Sf to help visualize the setting!
Whether your next event, party, or gathering is casual or formal, do keep in mind the rules of table setting for each type. It’s important to not only ensure that guests are comfortable, but that the arrangements are suitable for your event! By adding some flair and style to your table setting, you’ll be setting the tone for your party and the rest of the day or evening. Have fun, and rest assured that you are following the right guidelines to make the perfect casual or formal table setting!
