Laying The Perfect Table For Your Event
Source: When it comes to planning a wedding or party it’s all about the detail. Allow sufficient time to do it properly (it always takes longer than you think) and a top tip is to the place the chairs in the correct position first before even thinking about a knife and fork. As for the actual laying there is a basic table setting rule that is worth knowing whether it’s for a rustic wedding or a casual dinner party.
Source: Top left, middle, right. Bottom left, right
Have you ever wondered what the correct order of all the cutlery is? Or the correct placings of the glasses? If you stick to the basic rules you cannot go wrong.
The Cutlery
- Knives and spoons go on the right
- Forks on the left
- Cutlery arranged in the order which is it used from the outside in. In other words the soup spoon would normally be placed on the outside on the right as it is normally a starter.
- The pudding spoon and fork are sometimes put above the place setting to save space on the table. This way of setting a table is popular in restaurants. The fork should be pointed to the left, the spoon above the fork with its handle to the right.
- For a buffet wrap each knife and fork in a napkin near to the plates so your guests can’t miss them. Likewise for the pudding spoon and fork.
- Lay side plates on the left of the setting
- The rest of the plates are brought in for each course
- If the starter is pre-prepared its plate can be placed on a charger plate
Source: L-R – The Glasses
Each place should be set with all the glasses that will be used during dinner (except dessert wine glasses, which may be brought out when the dessert is served). The water glass should be placed to the right of the plate just above the table knife. The wine glasses should be to the right of the water glass in the order they will be used and will form a triangle.
The Napkins
Personally I think there are no hard and fast rules but more personal choice. If there is a side place fold it simply and place it on there. If you wish to make more of a statement with the napkin by decorating it with flowers or fold it elaborately place it in the centre of the setting. And what is the difference between a napkin and serviette …………… nothing I’ve just always called it a napkin!
