How to Set a Small Table for Brunch

Creating your place settings according to proper etiquette adds a sense of elegance to your brunch. Whether you are serving 2 or 10, you can easily dress up your meal by setting your table correctly. These steps will guide you through setting a small table for four guests when serving a brunch that includes three courses, such as salad, main dish and dessert and champagne.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 dinner plates 4 salad plates 4 salad forks 4 dinner forks 4 service knives 4 fish or salad knives 4 bread plates 4 butter knives 4 water glasses 4 champagne glasses 4 dessert spoons or forks 4 napkins

1. Place the dinner plates directly in front of each setting so that if a person were seated in the chair, it would be centered right in front of them. Use this to guide the rest of the setting.

2. Set the salad plate on top of the dinner plate. If you are going to pre-serve salad you can wait to do this until you have plated the salad just before guests arrive.

3. Put the dinner fork on the left side of each plate. There should be a thumbnail distance between the edge of the table and the end of the utensils. Place the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork if you are serving your salad course first.

4. Set the serving knife to the right of the dinner plate and then place the salad knife to the right of the serving knife.

5. Place the bread plate directly above the salad and dinner forks. It should rest above and to the left of the dinner plate. Put the butter knife across the top of the bread plate. It should be pointed to the left away from the setting with the sharp edge down.

6. Set the water glass directly above the serving knife so that it is above and to the right of the dinner plate. Place the champagne glass to the right of the water glass, cascading down just a little creating an angle towards the utensils.

7. Place the dessert knife and/or fork directly above the dinner plate horizontally. If using both, place the spoon on top facing to the left and the fork on the bottom facing to the right.

8. Lay the napkin to the left of the salad fork.

Tips & Warnings

• If serving a soup course, place the soup spoon to the right of the salad knife. If you are serving a fish course the silverware should be in the following order: fish fork, dinner fork and salad fork to the left of the dinner plate; serving knife, fish knife and soup spoon to the right of the dinner plate. Matching place settings and silverware provide a much more professional table setting. Consider using a centerpiece such as flowers to dress up your table.
• Don't forget to give your guests steak knives with their entrees if serving a cut of meat. Avoid using centerpieces that are too tall and prevent guests from seeing each other during conversation.

Resources

• Social Couture: Etiquette--The Proper Table Setting
• Proper Table Settings