5.16.2011

How to Set a Table

There are a few things I learned along the way on my journey from pigtails to cocktails.  One of the most useful-- as a wedding planner and, well, a human being-- was learning how to properly set a table.

I know what you're thinking; my caterer will do this for me.  And yes, he/she probably will.  On your wedding day.  But what about the other 364 days this year?  And for the rest of your life, when you tie the knot and begin hosting your own chic soirees?  Yes.  This is why we are going to learn this, right now.  I may not be your wedding planner (okay, well for many of you, I am!), but it's my basic duty to eventdom to make sure I bestow the basics of entertaining upon you savvy bona fide readers.

Ready?



And if that work of art is just too darn pretty for you to follow (after all, the pretty factor there is just distractingly gorgeous), here's another example to bookmark, for life events, in general:

{Credit: Simple Elegance}

bonafidebride

8 comments:

LilBride said...

I just saved both tableset images so I can have a quick reference for future events. Thanks for the resource BonafideBride!

jacin {lovely little details} said...

this is so so helpful!

bonafidebride said...

Glad you both found it useful!

cafe said...

Hi Kristin! I love the diagrams. Do you know the book Table Inspirations by Emily Chalmers? That's another fantastic resource for table setting etiquette (and lovely visual inspiration).

bonafidebride said...

Thanks for the rec! I'll have to check it out!

Lori Luza said...

Great illustrations! Thank you.

Question: if (as we do in the South) you are serving iced tea with the meal, where should we place the iced tea spoon?

postcards and pretties said...

this is awesom & helpful!!

bonafidebride said...

Lori, great question! When iced tea is served, the iced tea spoon is placed above the plate just as the dessert spoon is (and facing the same direction). The iced tea glass itself is placed at the upper right-hand side, to the right of the wine glass. Since iced tea is *typically* only served in the daytime (according to what I have read, at least), this would only apply in an informal table setting situation, and not when champagne glass/dessert wine glass are present.