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Setting Your Table

Setting Your Table

The holidays are fast approaching and if you are hosting a party this season or any time for that matter, you may want to know how to properly set your dining table.  I often reference back to several sources making sure I’m setting my table correctly. I finally decided I should consolidate them all into one place that is easy to reference. I am hopeful this information will be of help to you and no matter what event you will be planning, you can be confident that your table will be set to impress!

 

A General Rule of Thumb

  • Start out by arranging the charger or dinner plate one inch from the edge of the table.
  • Always position your flatware in order of use.
  • Forks are always placed on the left side of the plate with the salad fork extreme left and the dinner fork next to the plate.
  • Knives are always on the right side with the blade turned in toward the plate.
  • Spoons to the right of the knife, soup spoon is extreme right.
  • Napkins should be placed on the left side of the plate or on the center of the plate.
  • Stemware and water glasses are always placed on the right side above the knife and spoons.
  • Cups and saucers above and right of the spoon.
  • Remember, this is a general rule of thumb and should not add any additional stress to your event. If you get overwhelmed, just put out what you need!

 

Breakfast Setting

Breakfast setting

The dinner plate is in the center, forks to the left, knife and spoon on the right side, along with your cup and saucer above the spoon. Your water glass to the left of your cup and saucer, the bread plate is placed above your forks, napkins on the left.

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Lunch Setting

Lunch Setting

The setting is basically the same as breakfast just remove the cup and saucer.

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Banquet or Brunch Setting

Brunch setting

You will now be adding a salad plate to the center of your dinner plate, adding the cup and saucer  to the right of the spoon and if serving champagne add the champagne glass above, centered between the water glass, cup and saucer.

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Dinner Setting

Dinner Setting

You will be adding a butter knife to your bread plate.  If you are serving wine; you will place your wine glass above your knife and your water glass to the left of your wine glass. If you are serving both red and white wine, you should place the white wine glass on the right (not shown),  your red wine glass to the left and the water glass on the far left. If soup is being served the bowl should be placed on top of the salad plate (not shown).

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Formal Setting

Formal Setting

You will be adding a cup and saucer to the right of your spoons. Wine glasses are in the same position, if you are serving champagne the additional champagne glass is place behind the two wine glasses centered (not shown). A small dessert plate is added below your bread plate next to the forks (not shown) and add one soup spoon to the right of the existing spoon, and if soup is being served the bowl should be placed on top of the salad plate (not shown).

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European Setting

European Setting

Finally, if you are serving dinner European style (which means there will be several courses) is basically like the Formal Setting, however you will add one more additional knife alongside the original knife and adding an dessert flatware horizontally above the charger or plate.

 

I realize this is a lot of information, but I’m hopeful you will find it useful.  You never know if you might need to impress the boss or in-laws and hopefully they will notice the amount of effort you put into it.  I feel it is also important to remember, in today’s day and age everyone is so busy working and running around, we barely have the time to sit down as a family for dinners, so keep it simple and allow your children to get involved. I love to see the pride on my children’s faces when they’ve set the table all on their own. Even if they don’t get it right, it’s the fact that they are learning the importance of family time and a bit of etiquette as well. By putting in a little effort, it will surely leave a lasting impression.

Enjoy All 4 One Home!

Gretchen


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