Understanding the Correct Table Setting Rules for Any Dinner Occasion
Besides exhibiting your beautiful chinaware and knowing where each cutlery belongs, table setting rules also include making guests feel at ease while having their meal. Thus, even though following the appropriate table arranging principle can be overwhelming, it’s crucial to get it right. Here are some guidelines to help you create an elegant tablescape.
See also: Simple Table Decorations for Christmas Table Settings
Several Table Arrangement Principles You Should Know
1. Table Centerpieces should not be too crowded or too tall
The first thing you should be aware of is that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making a table look nice with centerpieces. However, enormous centerpieces can overshadow the evening’s main objective. Huge centerpieces also negate the purpose of your dinner because, typically, they take up more room that can be used for food.
Furthermore, tremendous arrangements running down the center of the table also prevent your guests from conversing with each other easily. So one of the table setting rules is don’t become engrossed in the table’s look that you forget its purpose. Place the centerpiece in strategic locations so that everyone can see one another.
2. It’s Advised to Prepare Multiple Glasses
You might be served three to five glasses throughout the dinner at a more upscale event. However, it may not be necessary to prepare more than one glass for a home occasion. Whether for a casual or formal home dinner, having at least two glasses per guest is a considerate gesture.
You can put a water glass directly above the main knife and a cocktail or wine glass on the water glass’s right side. This placement is in case your guests become thirsty while eating their supper and may not want to satiate their thirst with a glass of wine. The alternative to this table setting rules is to offer to replace the old glasses with new ones.
3. Seating Assignment
You don’t have to use a place card, although it’s a good idea to plan where everyone should sit by giving directions before entering the dining room. None of your guests wants to feel self conscious or have to second guess themselves. In addition, some guests may have legitimate reasons for being assigned to specific seats.
For example, perhaps a parent wants to assist their kid in cutting their food. Moreover, you may consider to seat couples separately. Splitting apart couples at a gathering is a terrific strategy to encourage them to meet more people. Otherwise, everyone will remain in their preexisting social bonds.
4. Provide a Water Pitcher
A water pitcher is an absolute must have on the table as it’s one of the table setting rules. It’s because guests prefer to feel self dependent and dislike asking for assistance. You will also appreciate this rule since you won’t have to occasionally get up throughout the dinner to refill your guests’ glasses.
Knowing the fundamentals of table arranging is crucial since it contributes to the atmosphere of a dinner. The first rule is to avoid using too many or too tall centerpieces on your table. The three other rules you should know are preparing a water pitcher, establishing seat assignments, and providing multiple glasses.
