Table Setting Ideas

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Table setting style is the focus of any party where food is served. Tableware and setting plan depends on the event or occasion and it can be as important as the food you serve. The first step to do in putting together a beautiful and well-planned meal is to understand the different styles of table settings.

Formal Table Setting

This is the table setting for festive family dinners, holiday celebrations, weddings and semi-formal events. A variety of specialty pieces are used depending on the formality of the occasion or event and meal plan.

Formal table setting includes dinner plate and fork; salad plate and fork; knife; bread and butter plate; butter knife; spoon; water and wine stemware; and linens.

To the left of dinner plate (outside in): individual salad fork (when salad is served before the main course), and dinner fork.

Above salad fork and dinner fork is bread and butter plate and butter knife.

A salad plate is not set. If salad is served before the main course, the salad plate is placed on top of the service plate.

At the center: service plate, with napkin or soup bowl at the center. Appetizer or other first course is placed on top of the service plate.

When it is time for the main course, the used appetizer, soup or salad plate is removed along with the service plate. The entree is immediately served on the dinner plate.

To the right of dinner plate (outside in): soup spoon (if serving an appetizer in lieu of soup, place cocktail or oyster fork to the right of knife), place or dinner knife.

Dinner spoons and forks may be placed horizontally above the place setting, with spoon facing right and fork facing to the left, or may be brought in on the dessert plates.

To the right above knife (from left to right forming triangle): water goblet, (white) wine glass, and champagne flute.

Cup and saucer with teaspoon may also be brought in with dessert, or served separately.