Dinner Etiquette When Setting the Table

A properly set table helps the flow of the meal.

If you're going to be having a formal dinner party soon and want to be sure that you're setting the table correctly, it's a good idea to go over some table setting etiquette before your guests arrive. Knowing where to place utensils and plates will not only make your table look appealing, but will allow guests to partake in the meal without feeling awkward.

Basic Table Setting

For the basic table dinner setting, place the fork to the left of the plate, and the knife and spoon to the right. If you will be serving bread and butter with the meal, the small plate for the bread, as well as the butter knife, should go in the upper left corner of the place setting; the butter knife belongs across the small bread plate. The glasses for drinks should be positioned at the upper right corner of the plate. It is also acceptable etiquette to place a napkin to the left of the fork.

Informal Table Settings

If setting the table for a dinner party with family or friends that will be informal, proper etiquette suggests adding a few more items to the table than a basic setting would require. For an informal dinner, soup is served, as well as a salad or small first course. The dinner plate is the first part of the setting, and can be placed on top of a cloth napkin in the middle of the place setting. Two forks are used in this setting and are both set to the left of the plate. The larger fork is for the main course, and the smaller fork, which is at the far left of the plate, is used for the salad or appetizer. Two spoons are also used for this setting. The larger spoon is the soup spoon and is to the far right of the plate. The smaller spoon is used for dessert. A coffee cup and saucer are also used in this setting, and are placed to the right of the dinner plate---the salad plate goes to the left of the forks.

Formal Table Settings

When setting the table for a formal event, proper etiquette dictates that all plates and utensils be spaced geometrically. The dinner plate should be in the exact center of the setting. Utensils should be the same distance from one another, and complete place settings should have an equal amount of space in between them. The dinner fork is still placed to the left of the dinner plate, along with two smaller forks for fish and salad. If shellfish is being served, a smaller oyster fork should also be included in the setting, but is placed to the right of the plate. Three knives are used for the setting as well---a fish knife and salad knife, which both go to the right of the plate, and a butter knife, which is placed on top of the small bread plate. Up to five glasses can be used when setting the table for a formal event. The goblet for water should be placed directly above the knives. The champagne flute goes to the right of the goblet; in front of the goblet and flute, the glasses for red and white wine are positioned, as well as a glass for sherry.

Napkin Placement

Place the napkin on the main plate, which is positioned in the middle of the place setting. If you will already have the main course on the main plate when guests sit down to eat, place the napkin across the bread plate. The napkin can go next to the butter knife, which also rests on the small plate. Guests should unfold their napkins and place them in their lap before eating.

Additional Information

When serving dessert with a meal, it is not necessary to add the dessert forks and spoons to the table setting until it is time for this part of the meal, especially if space at the table is limited. It is also acceptable to put the dessert fork or spoon on the dessert plate before serving it to guests. The knives used in the place settings should always be positioned with the blades facing the plate.

References

• Gourmet Food Revolution: Table Setting Etiquette
• Emily Post: Table Setting Guides