Proper Table Setting 101 (With A Printable Guide!)
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I know you are putting the finishing touches on your plans and likely doing your last minute shopping! As the holiday season arrives in all of its beautiful glory, setting tables becomes a main event. And when it comes to that main event, have you ever found yourself google searching how to set a proper table? I’m going to solve that problem for you!
I’ve spent the past 12 years of my life designing table scapes for weddings and events. I LOVE a good tablescape and the creative design that comes along with them. However, this blog post is less about the pretty aesthetic of tablescapes…I could write a million posts on that… but more about the tactical details and the etiquette of setting the table the right way. You know, which piece goes where and such...
A printable table setting guide, just for you!
I’ve put together an easy, printable, guide that you can keep on hand and toss in your apron pocket as you set those tables to perfection. Click the image below to download and print!
Tips, tricks and things to remember…
Utensils are placed in the order of use, working from the outside in. Salad/soup cours(es) always come before the entree and so you will find those utensils on the outside of the main course utensils.
Your table setting should be determined by your meal service style. For example… if you are having a family style dinner with salad plated in the kitchen and served to each guest at their seats, you would eliminate the salad plates on the table (they would be in the kitchen for plating salad) but dinner plates would be set at each place. If you are doing a buffet, perhaps you have the plates up at the buffet for easy service, or make sure guests know to take their plates to the buffet with them if not. If you are having a formal, plated meal where each guest is served each course at their seat, you would likely only have a charger at each setting and a bread plate.
Forks always go to the left and knives/spoons always go to the right of the plate.
Your dinner knife blade always faces in toward you. The butter knife is set with the handle easily accessible to a right handed diner and the blade toward the outside (The formal place setting is modeled toward a right handed diner…seems a little rude to those left handers out there!)
Dessert utensils can be set on the table or brought in with dessert.
Set the table with your guest experience in mind and only set the utensils that they will need to use. If you are going for a very informal experience, it is perfectly fine to just set one fork and one knife. If there is no soup course, eliminate the soup spoon. Don’t over complicate things. The more utensils, the more formal it will be and vice a versa.
When selecting or making your centerpiece, make sure that it allows guests to see and interact with each other across the table.
Place cards and menus are a lovely, personal touch to each setting if you desire. If you don’t love to create on your own, Canva is a great place to grab beautiful, pre made templates! This is also a really fun place to get the kids involved!
Round tables are often thought as the best for conversation. Long tables photograph much better and are far more popular currently. You decide what makes sense for you.
When you clear the table after the main course and before dessert, make sure to clear all unused utensils (except for the dessert ones) with the used ones. Also clear bread plates and butter knives.
Some table top faves
Pretty dishes, flatware, glassware and textiles are such a special part of the table! The guide features a few of my favorites from West Elm and Williams Sonoma that I think are beautiful, timeless and useful for many occasions. Each image is linked below if you want to add them to your collection. Some hot Black Friday Sales are happening right now too!
Happy Holidays!
Wishing you the warmest holiday season with your friends and loved ones. I hope this guide is helpful as you prepare to gather, share and enjoy time spent with your nearest and dearest.
