How to Decorate Your Table for a Candlelight Dinner

Take your time as you set the perfect dinner table.

Create unsurpassed ambiance with an elegantly set table. Pull that neglected fine dinnerware from your hope chest or attic as you prepare for your candlelight dinner. If you don't own linen napkins, purchase inexpensive sets at your local department stores and use them again at subsequent dinner parties. Dress your table with care by placing pieces in proper formal dining order. Try out a few dinner napkin folds and ideas until you are completely satisfied, and take pleasure in your sophisticated dinner table arrangement.

Things You'll Need

• White linen tablecloth
• Organza table runner
• Fine china
• Silverware
• Stemware
• Linen napkins
• Baby's breath
• 1 dozen roses
• Tall, clear vase
• Greenery
• Crystal candlesticks
• Taper candles
• Rose petals

Instructions

Place Settings

1. Drape the table in a white linen tablecloth. Make sure the corners are even. Add a subtle touch of sophistication by layering a champagne-colored organza table runner across the center of the table.

2. Set the table in your best china, silverware and stemware. Position each dinner plate in the center of the place setting in front of the chair. Place the knife to the right of the plate, facing the sharp edge inward. Next to the knife, lay the soup spoon. To the left of the plate, lay the dinner fork closest to the edge of the plate and next to it the salad fork.

3. Form an arc with the glasses. Place the water glass above the dinner knife first. To the right of that goes the red wineglass, followed by the white wineglass.

4. Directly above the dinner plate lay the dessert fork horizontally with the prongs facing to the right. Above the fork, lay the dessert spoon with the bowl of the spoon facing left.

5. Set the bread plate to the left of the dessert fork and spoon. Lay a butter knife across the plate horizontally.

6. Fold the napkin in a simple triangle or rectangle. Place it on the center of the plate. Another option is to tuck it into the white wineglass with a sprig of baby's breath for added charm.

Finishing Touches

1. 

   Roses and orchids are elegant options for centerpieces.

   Fashion an elegant centerpiece with fresh flowers. Arrange one dozen red roses in a tall, glass vase. Adorn the centerpiece with greenery and baby's breath. Another option is to place a solitary orchid in a narrow, cylindrical vase in the center of the table.

2. Flank the centerpiece with three crystal candlesticks on each side. Closest to the centerpiece, place an 8-inch-tall candlestick, then a 6-inch-tall candlestick and finally a 4-inch-tall candlestick. Repeat this arc pattern on the other side.

3. Place champagne-colored taper candles in each candle holder. Spread rose petals around the table. Light the candles just before dinner.