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Place Setting 101 : Formal Table

November 15, 2016 · 1 Comment

Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsWhen you’re planning a holiday get together or a casual dinner party, you give yourself plenty of time to determine the menu, buy ingredients and cook, but in those last few minutes before spent tossing the salad and doing an outfit change before guests arrive, sometimes the table often gets overlooked. My rule of thumb is to handle the look of the table week before, buy choosing the linens, servingware and decor you plan on using, and even set it up if you can! A properly set table, whether for Thanksgiving or a weekly pizza night, is the foundation for a beautiful and delicious meal. There are age old rules for the specific placement of silverware, glassware and dinnerware, each depending on the formality of your party. While setting a table is a pretty basic skill, it’s an important one to master when entertaining for the holidays.

So have you given much thought to how you’ll set the table for Thanksgiving or an upcoming Friendsgiving? Well there’s no need to think too much about it, once you determine the formality of your holiday, it’s a matter of choosing your tablescape decor and every setting piece you’ll need according the dishes you plan on serving.Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsIn our first installment of Place Setting 101 we learned the basics of setting a Casual Table, perfect for a simple Friendsgiving or holiday dinner being served buffet style. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a semiformal place setting that is sure to fit any style holiday party, but today it’s all about the Formal way of setting a table! This isn’t the most formal of settings, no you won’t find it at the Queen’s regal dinner, but our generation is having a love affair with dinner parties, and making a formal table seem just a bit more casual is the way to go. Now that doesn’t mean you can’t bring out your favorite vintage pieces, on the contrary the holidays are the excuse you need to break out those extra special pieces So what is the proper etiquette of setting a formal table??Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsWhen setting a formal table, you have quite a few pieces to work with. Up to three of each utensil and as many as five different glasses. Dinner plates get layered beginning with a service plate, also known as a charger, then the dinner and salad plate, with a bread plate set on the upper left side. But with any table setting, the placement of utensils is determined by the menu.Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsHere’s a tip…still can’t remember where your forks and spoons go, just remember that you use utensils from the outside in. On the left side, start with the salad fork then work your way inside to the entrée fork. On the right side, you start with the soupspoon and work your way inside to the teaspoon. Utensils above your plate are meant for dessert. When finished with your meal, rest your utensils diagonally across the plate.Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsThe formality of napkin placement has definitely changed through the years. It can be placed on top of the plate, under it so that it hangs over the edge of the table, or under the fork. To complete a formal setting, drinking glasses for red wine, white wine and water are set in the upper right corner. Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsTo me the most important things to consider when hosting a party and setting a table, after you’ve organized all the supplies needed for you dishes, is to keep the look of the table in line with the feel of your gathering. A formal Thanksgiving lunch or dinner, totally requires you to break out the nice china and silver. The table setting helps to create a mood and makes all your guests excited for the meal to come.

My second go-to rule, is flowers, they’re a must! Head to your local shop and choose seasonal blooms, nothing fancy needed. Bet you wouldn’t believe these florals all came from the supermarket or garden?! The final touch, unscented candles. They create a cozier and more intimate atmosphere. From there, let your creativity roam! This year’s Thanksgiving tablescape was one of my favorites, and it was one I spent very little time styling or stressing to make it look good.Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery EventsI also love mismatching my china and stemware, it takes a table from feeling too formal, and allows it to be more personal and whimsical.Place Setting 101 : Formal Table | Dreamery Events


Regardless of how formal or casual your holiday table is, knowing the basics of a formal setting is a must for every host! Pin the easy to remember diagrams or print them, but make sure you have them on hand this holiday season…

Don’t forget to check out our Place Settings 101 : Casual Table post too!

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Filed In: Entertaining, Events, Holidays, How To, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Special Occasions, Weddings / Tagged: Dreamery Events, entertaining tips, Formal Place Setting, holiday entertaining, holidays, how to set a proper table, place setting, Place Setting 101 Formal Table, place setting etiquette, place setting ideas, Thanksgiving entertaining tips

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  1. Place Setting 101 : Semi Formal Table – Dreamery Events says:
    November 17, 2016 at 10:45 am

    […] parties. It’s just a bit more special than a casual setting, and not as complicated as a formal one. Of course, unless you’re hosting the President or Queen, I’ll be the first to tell you […]

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Thinking of Christie & Mario’s romantic wedding Thinking of Christie & Mario’s romantic wedding in Portugal, because I have travel on my mind & I'm feeling very inspired to explore, connect & make some magic happen in real beautiful places with creatives who inspire me🌿✨

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Planning, Custom Calligraphy : @dreameryevents 
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Not one to be led by trends, but seems there’s a Not one to be led by trends, but seems there’s a little something we’re all looking forward to … Color! But there in lies the complex beauty of color. We connect & interpret it in so many personal ways — some of us are drawn to the beauty in the soft muted tones, while others it’s the bright rich hues. Each view & approach, a special way of embracing color✨🌿🌈And I am here for all it!
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Sharing some calming Ikebana inspired “Winter Bl Sharing some calming Ikebana inspired “Winter Blues” — not the sadness of the bitter season, but the emotion of a fresh clean slate where Nature is bare, minimal & calm, yet open to all the possibilities of the unknown …
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#dreameryevents #ikebana #ikebanainspired
#flowers #fineartflowers #fineartstyling #flowerarrangement #bluethistle #minimalistdetails #ikebanadetails
#ikebanainspired #modernflowers
#driedflowers #weddinginspo #winterblues #createforyourself #designisinthedetails
“Ikebana; the Japanese art of flower arranging t “Ikebana; the Japanese art of flower arranging that emphasizes form & balance — symbolizing the beauty & essence of all components in Nature working in harmony. Ikebana expresses strong emotions through its four principles of a fresh approach, movement, balance & harmony, while highlighting its three elements; line, color & mass. 

Ikebana designs use fewer stems that are intentionally arranged to reflect the balance of opposing elements. Ikebana floral art is a reflection of the person creating it & its evolving story.”
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This year I’m challenging myself each month to create a design. Whether it be a centerpiece or tablescape, I want to expand & challenge my creativity, skills & ever-flowing ideas. It’s a perfect way for me to create for the sake of creating while inspiring you with joyful pieces & help others see unlikely designs with a new perspective. 

I was naturally drawn to the traditional artform of Ikebana, for it takes the simplest elements & transforms them into designs that evoke an immense emotion. For me there is so much power & beauty in that, but also why I think it’s not as understood or appreciated as elaborate floral designs. 

I stumbled upon this forgotten small blue & white dish, thought how perfect it would be to capture the story of “Winter Blues” — not the sadness of the bitter season, but the emotion of a fresh clean slate where Nature is bare, minimal & calm, yet open to all the possibilities of the unknown … using a few sprigs of Blue Thistle & the inspiration of Ikebana intentions, this tiny delight was made💙

Dreamery is a bespoke event and floral design brand focusing on gatherings of all sizes, stylings, home, decor and the limitless creative projects yet to be envisioned. Nature, travel, old world treasures & slow living are my constant inspiration.

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