Have you ever sat down at a formal table and felt a bit like Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”, having NO idea what utensil goes with what course, or how to behave at a formal table? I recently shared details of the formal place setting with readers at WeddingAces.com ~ allow me to walk you through a formal place setting!
Photo by Michael Norwood Photgraphy
- When sitting at the dinner table, the center of your place setting may have a charger. A charger looks like an over-sized plate, often decorative, and serves as a base for soup bowls, salad plates and dinner plates. It is often collected after the main course, before the dessert course, though its not uncommon to collect it with the salad plate.
- On top of the charger (or center of the setting if there is no charger in the setting) is the napkin. Napkins can be folded in a gazillion ways that add a decorative element to your table. The most common for wedding receptions is the envelope or pocket fold – an elegant placement for individual menu cards or place cards.
- Utensils are placed in order of use from the outside working your way in. So when looking at the forks on the left side of the plate, the fork closest to the charger is the entree fork. Next to that fork (one away from the plate) is the salad fork. If a fish course is being served, that fork will be the third from the plate. The knives and spoons are on the right side of the charger, starting with the entree knife; the salad knife is to the right of that (one away from the charger), and next to that salad knife would be a fish knife (again, if that course is part of your menu; if not, then no utensil will be set.) The soup spoon is to the far right of the knives. And that fork and spoon hanging out above the charger? Those are for your dessert and coffee. Depending on the menu, you may see two spoons above. The handles for the spoon will aim toward your right hand while the dessert fork will have its handle toward your left hand.
Image from Luxurious Wedding Etiquette
- Glasses are on the right side of your plate (which is a good thing to remember when you are seated at a table where it seems there is no distinction between what if part of your place setting and what may be your neighboring table mate’s. ) The water goblet will be closest to the charger on the top right. Behind it will nestle the champagne flute. To the right of these will be the red wine glass, then the white wine glass. Again, depending on your menu, it may be that one or more of these glasses are not preset on your table.
- The bread plate will be found to the top left of the charger, above the forks, or center above the dessert spoon and fork if space is tight. The butter knife will be set diagonally across the plate.
- Its customary for the coffee cup and saucer to arrive prior to dessert being served rather than pre-set it on the table throughout dinner.
When setting a table (or again, if you happen to be seated at a table that may not offer enough room to clearly define) here’s a trick of the trade to remember which side of the charger the utensils go: “fork” is spelled with four letters: they go on the “left” (also spelled with four letters). “Knife” and “spoon” are both spelled with five letters – so is “right”, the side on which they are placed.
When you are finished with your meal, simply rest both the knife and fork together diagonally across the plate and place the napkin to the left of your plate. This will signal the waiter that they can clear your plate. If you excuse yourself from the table for a moment, rest your napkin on the back of your chair so your waiter knows you will be returning.
“Happy dining!”
