Feb 22

Feb 22 Setting The Table {Casual}

So you moved into your dream apartment or condo and now you're ready to throw your first real dinner party. You have your menu planned and prepared the meal ahead of time. You’ve cleaned, you’re dressed, and almost ready to entertain. The last thing on the list is setting the table. Now you’re panicking because you’ve never properly set a table before, nor did you think about it in your planning. The good thing is it’s not hard to set a table last minute, but it does require some basic flatware-glassware, napkins, and plates. Here’s everything you need for a casual dinner or formal dinner table setting.

Casual Setting

Flatware: The great thing about sets of flatware is that they come with everything you need; 5 pieces for four people. If you plan on entertaining often you will need 2-3 sets of flatware, I prefer gold or rose gold instead of traditional silver to glam things up a little bit.

Plates: You will need a dinner plate (large) and a salad plate (medium).

Napkins: Dinner napkins and paper napkins are two different things!! Dinner napkins are made out of cloth and are meant to be washed after use just like at a restaurant. White is always a safe bet, but feel free to get creative based off your tabletop design.

Glassware: You will want to set out two types of glasses one for water and one for wine. It’s totally acceptable to use a white wine glass for water and a red wine glass for your wine.

Order: Your napkin can sit on the far left outside of the salad fork (smaller) or you can create a nice fold or add a napkin ring and place it in the center of your salad plate.

High Maintenance Hack #1: While eating, work your way from the outside in by course. On either side, this rule works.

The salad fork is on the outside left-hand side; your dinner fork is on the inside left-hand side. Your soup spoon is on the outside right-hand side, your teaspoon is in the middle of the right-hand side and your dinner knife is on the inside right-hand side.

High Maintenance Hack #2: Not sure which water glass is yours? It will always be to the right of you.

Your wine glass should be placed at the top of your place setting on the outside of the right-hand side. Your water glass is on the inside of the top right-hand side.

Your dinner plate will be placed in the middle of your place setting and is the bottom layer. Your salad plate goes on top of the dinner plate and is your middle layer. Your saucer is placed on top of the salad plate and is your top layer.

High Maintenance Hack #3: Place settings will vary based off what you are eating, but it always helps to know what everything is as this coincides with fine dining. You never want to be ill-informed at the formal event.

What’s your favorite way to set the table? Do you have a dinner party coming up? Tell me all about it below.

XOXO,

KVT