Table Setting

Table Setting

Depending upon the occassion, you may want to use a "formal" table setting or an "informal" table setting. For most of us, the need to set a truly formal table is almost non-existant. With this in mind, we start with a description of an informal table setting - appropriate for most occassions. For those truly special events that call for more formality, we have compiled an exhaustive set of table setting rules. Even if you are not going to host the president of a foreign country at your next dinner party, it can be fun to read the rules and see what might be.

As a general rule, feel free to use some creativity and have fun when selecting your dinnerware, but don't go overboard. If combining dinnerware pieces from different sets, use items with a the same colors or patterns or one item that is common to all groups to link them together. Use the materials you like, just bear in mind that plastic wine glasses may not be an appropriate accompianment with your best china.

If your china set is missing a butter plate or some other item, replace it with a glass version (in this case a glass butter plate).

Try to plan the table setting to match your menu. When bread and butter are served, add a butter plate to the table. Use seperate salad plates if serving your main course with gravy. It is fine to serve a salad on the same plate as a steak without sauce, but you should avoid serving salad on the same plate as an item with gravy that will run into and ruin the salad.

The Informal Table Setting

An informal table setting does not mean a haphazard table setting. You still need to pay attention to the details of spacing and neatness.

The following is a standard table settin for a three-course meal. Note the basic "outside-in" rule. The piece of flatware that will be used last is placed directly next to the whatever plate you are using.

Two Forks

Both forks are placed on the left of the plate. The fork furthest from the plate is for salad. The fork next to the plate is for the dinner. (Please Note: At more formal meals where the salad is served afer the main course, the order of placement is reversed.)

Dinner Plate

The dinner plate is placed on the table when the main course is served and is not on the table when the guests sit down.

Salad Plate

The salad plate is placed left of the forks.

One Dinner Knife

On the right side, and directly next to, the plate. If the main course requires a steak knife, it may be substituted for the dinner knife.

Two Spoons

On the right side of the knife. The dessert spoon is directly to the right of the knife. The soup spoon is on the far right.

One Butter Plate with Butter Knife

A small bread plate is placed above the forks, above and to the left of the service plate.

One Water Goblet

A water glass will be found just above your knives.

One Wine Glass

At least one wine glass should sit to the right and possibly above the water glass.

Napkin

Place the napkin in the place setting's center, or left of the last fork.

Coffee Cups

Place a cup and saucer to the right of the place setting. The coffee spoon goes to the left of right of the saucer.

Dessert Spoon and Fork

A dessert fork and/or spoon may be placed horizontally above the dinner plate.  These utensils may also be provided when dessert is served.

_________________________________________________________

Butter should be waiting on butter plates, the glasses filled with water, and the wine ready to be served all before the guests are seated at the table.

The salad may be served with the entree.

When the first course is at the table when guests arrive, the main course is served after the plates for the first course are removed.

The Formal Table Setting

Service Plate

Place the service plate in the center of the place setting.

Butter Plate

A small bread plate is placed above the forks, above and to the left of the service plate.

Wine Glasses

If two wine glasses are presented, the glass with the longer stem and cylindrical globe is the white wine glass.  White wine glasses should only be held by the stem.  Red wine glasses have a wider globe and may be cupped in the palm of your hand if you choose.

At formal dinners, a champagne flute may be located between the water glass and the wine glasses.  A small sherry glass may also be present to the right of the wine glasses.  This may signal that sherry will be served with the soup course.

Salad Fork

directly on the plate's left

Meat Fork

left of the salad fork

Fish Fork

on the meat fork's left

Salad Knife

directly to the right of the plate

Meat Knife

right of the salad knife

Fish Knife

on the meat knife's right

Butter Knife

on the butter plate, diagonally

Soup Spoon and/or Fruit Spoon

right of the knives

Oyster Fork

outside the spoons

Dessert Spoons and Forks

A dessert fork and/or spoon may be placed horizontally above the dinner plate.  These utensils may also be provided when dessert is served.

__________________________________________________

Place knives with blades facing the plate.

Do not place over three pieces of flatware on either side of the plate at one time (except forks if an oyster fork is used).