Set Silverware
A dinner party is defined by the way the place settings are laid out. Whether you are hosting an informal gathering of close friends or a formal affair, always make sure your table is set accordingly. Follow these steps for proper silverware setting at any event.
Steps
- Determine the type of event you will host. The type of event will be a factor in how formal your silverware setting will be. Also, have an estimate on the number of guests so that you can make sure you have enough place settings for everyone.
- Gather the utensils you will need. Remember to use the 5 basic utensils of a dinner knife, salad fork, dinner fork, and a teaspoon. Formal dinner party settings will also include a soup spoon, dessert fork, dessert spoon, and a butter spreader.
- Place a dinner plate in the center of the place setting. For a formal event set a small salad plate and soup bowl on top. Informal settings can omit either the salad plate or bowl, or both, depending on the courses you will serve.
- Proceed with an informal setting by placing your dinner knife on the right of the dinner plate with the blade facing the plate. Lay your teaspoon next to the knife. The utensils should be placed longest to shortest from the plate and moving to the right. Utensil handles should point toward the edge of the table.
- Move to the left side of the plate to finish your setting. Place the dinner fork next to the plate and then lay the salad fork to the left of that. The same rules apply for the heights of the utensils and the way the handles are pointing.
- Add 4 additional utensils for a formal silverware setting. Place a soup spoon in between your dinner knife and teaspoon on the right of the dinner plate. Lay your dessert fork above the dinner plate with the prongs pointing to the right. Parallel to that, moving toward the center of the table, you will place your dessert spoon with the bowl on the left. A bread and butter plate and butter knife can be placed just left of the dessert utensils.
- Finished.
Tips
- Leave ample space between place settings so guests can sit and move comfortably throughout the meal. Too many place settings will also make the table appear cramped and small. By allowing the guests to spread out, it opens the table to look wider, even if it is just an illusion.
- Your silverware setting does not need to match. Piecing together a complete set takes time. Replace utensils as you acquire new ones.
- Polish your sterling silver before your dinner party so that it does not look tarnished. Sparkling silver enhances a formal setting along with crystal glasses and fine china.
Warnings
- Do not place utensils on the table that will not be used throughout the meal. This will clutter the table and add additional items to wash afterward.
Things You'll Need
- Dinner plate
- Salad plate
- Soup bowl
- Dinner fork
- Teaspoon
- Dinner fork
- Salad fork
- Soup spoon
- Dessert fork
- Dessert spoon
- Bread and butter plate
- Butter knife
