11 Tips for Setting a Table for a Formal Dinner

Hosting a formal dinner can be an intimidating responsibility especially if it's your first time—from proper etiquette to the dinner set-up, there are many elements that need proper planning and thought. We've curated some tips to ease your nervousness, so you can effortlessly host without the extra stress or worry (your guests will think you've been doing this all your life).

Dispel the Stuffy Image

When most people think of a formal dinner party, images of men dressed in stuffy tuxedos, stiff butlers with sour looks on their faces, and miserable guests who would rather be anywhere else often come to mind—that's not the reality. Anyone can host an event with people minding their manners while sitting at a table during a nice meal. 

Keep It Simple

Formal dinner parties don't have to be intimidating or awkward. They can be quite fun if you know what you're doing. Start with the place settings. The etiquette rules for setting the table are simple and very straightforward. If this is your first time, familiarize yourself with a few basic rules and tips—your guests will have no idea that you’ve never done it before.

Own It

Remember that this is your dinner party—you may need to tweak some of the rules to make it work for your table or meal. Don’t make an issue of it unless someone asks about it. Many people have no idea how a formal dinner table is supposed to be set, so the guests are likely to look to you for guidance on proper etiquette—discreetly take the lead. If anyone makes a mistake, do whatever you can to cover it. You don’t want anyone to be embarrassed by not knowing what to do.

Start With a Tablecloth

Although a white linen tablecloth isn’t essential for a formal dinner party, you can’t go wrong with one. The elegance of a starched white tablecloth and matching napkins sets the stage for your meal. Even the simplest of foods will look nice against the white background. Off-white is another elegant option—you may also use contrasting napkins for a more dramatic effect.

Place the Dinner Plates and Napkins

The first item to place on the tablecloth is the dinner plate. Position it right in the middle of each setting, equally spaced and with enough room for the rest of the setting. You may use napkin rings or fold the napkins elegantly. Place them in the middle of the dinner plate.

Put Utensils in Order

The eating utensils should be placed in order of how they are intended to be used, starting with the outside and working toward the plate. The forks go on the left, and the knives and spoons go on the right, with the knife closest to the plate. Always position the knife with the cutting blade pointing toward the plate.

Butter knives should be placed on the bread plate. If your guests will need a dessert spoon or fork, place it above the plate. You don’t need to place any utensils that are not needed for the meal, so depending on your menu a standard five-piece flatware or silverware set will suffice.

Leave Room for Other Dishes

You will need to make sure you have room for additional plates for bread and additional courses you will be serving. Position the bread plate just beyond the tip of the forks. Soup bowls and salad plates should be centered on the dinner plate, one at a time, and removed before the main course is served.

Finish With Glasses and Stemware

To the right of the plate and toward the center of the table is where you should place the water glass. If you are serving wine, the wine glass should be next to the water glass, just beyond the tip of the knife. You may choose to put the wine glasses on the table in advance or wait until you serve the wine.

Attend to the Dessert Setting

After the dishes from the main part of the meal are cleared, position the dessert plate directly in front of each guest. The only glass that should remain is the water glass. Coffee will be brought with the dessert, so this is the time to add the coffee cups, which should be placed about an inch beyond the top right of the dessert plate or bowl.

Create the Centerpiece

A formal dinner calls for an elegant centerpiece. Use candles, fresh-cut flowers, or any other decoration that enhances the table without distracting from the meal—make sure it isn’t too tall. The top of a centerpiece for any dinner party should be below eye level so guests can see everyone else at the table.

Add Party Favors

If you are setting the table for a wedding reception, you may choose to add party favors. These may be placed on the plate or just beyond the plate toward the center of the table. Favors that don’t enhance the setting may be given at the door rather than placed on the table. You may also choose to cluster the favors in a decorative arrangement in place of a centerpiece.