How to Decorate Formal Table Settings

Set the scene for your formal meal.

Table decorations can set the tone for a formal dinner party. By carefully filling your table not just with tasty foods but also with aesthetically pleasing design pieces, you can transform your party space and make it more inviting to dinner party guests. When decorating for a formal dinner party, attention to detail is vital. Each decorative accessory should fit within your theme and serve as a proper formal dinner accent.

Instructions

1. Define each place setting with a place mat. Use cloth place mats under each place setting. Select a solid colored mat, or opt for a printed or embroidered mat to add an element of style to the table. Place mats not only serve as table decorations but also help set the perimeters of each place setting.

2. Create an intricate folded cloth napkin. Select from an assortment of attractive fold options such as those shown on the link in the resources section.

3. Design aesthetically pleasing place setting cards. Use card stock in solid white, or create a printed card that matches your dinner party motif. To make your place setting cards even more engaging, make them part of your party favors, placing the cards in frames or resting them on candle holders that the guests can take with them as a memento of the event.

4. Place floral accents on the table. Place bud vases at each place setting or put large floral arrangements in the center of the table. Consider scattering flower petals around your centerpiece.

5. Set the mood with candlelight accents. Place candles in the center of the table, or set a tea light at each place setting to cast the entire table in a candlelight glow.

References

• DivineDinnerParty: Formal Dinner Table Setting
• Celebrations: Party Table Decorations

Resources

• Napkin Folding Guide: Napkin Folding Pictures