Etiquette Tip: Setting a Table

Do you know how to properly set a table for an event? Maybe you're hosting a Bridal Shower, Rehearsal Dinner or just simply a Dinner Party and you have no idea what is proper etiquette for the table setting.

Here are a few diagrams to show you just how to do it.

Informal:
This set up is great for casual Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Breakfasts or Luncheons.

Almost everyone has the silverware and dishware displayed in this diagram. If you're not serving alcohol, you should remove the wine class and replace it with a saucer and cup (which normally sits beside the soup spoon, but you can put it where the wineglass would be to save some space).

Remember this, you always enjoy your meal from the outside in.

Formal:

Now it gets a whole lot trickier. If you're hosting an event where you are the one setting the table, then take note. Again, you eat from the outside in, finishing your meal at the top with the dessert spoon and or cake fork. After each course, you should be removing the appropriate silverware and dishware.

At the end of the meal, you should only be left with the place card, water glass, cup and saucer, napkin and dessert utensils & plate.

Remember to place your napkin on your lap, and if you excuse yourself from the table during the meal, place it on your chair (or on the back of your chair if it's not overly soiled). The only time you can place your napkin on the table is when you are finished eating. Another way to signal that you are finished is to place your dinner fork and dinner knife side by side with the ends resting at the 5 if your plate was a clock. If you cross your knife and fork over one another to form an 'x', this tells the serving staff that you are not finished, but merely taking a break (ie: restroom).

As a guest, do your best to follow the place setting and using the proper utensil for the meal. If you're unsure, watch what others are doing at your table and you'll be just fine.

Bon Appetite!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

This past Sunday I hosted a Baby Shower for my Sister-in-law (SIL) Shannon and my nephew Cole. In a previous post I'd mentioned how I was tossing around ideas for a theme and then finally decided, but wanted to keep it a secret. The theme was baseball!  My SIL plays and umpires, and the sport has always been played by my Dad (Pops) and my brother (Cole's Dad).

The invitations were made to look like ticket stubs and even had one of our favourite quotes from a baseball movie; Field of Dreams -"If you build it, he will come."

Guests were treated to a lunch of hotdogs, nachos with cheese, an aray of salads and cupcakes (baked by yours truly).

For the favour we had a Candy Buffet with baseball treats like caramel corn, peanuts, pretzels, gum, gummies, pepperettes and Baby Ruth chocolate bars! Guests could fill up small paper bags with their choice of treats to take home.

Instead of a guest book we asked guests to sign a baseball as a memento.

Shannon and Cole were surrounded by many family and friends and I think that everyone had a great time. Cole was spoiled!! Shown here is the little cutie with a 'big boy' hat from Roots given with love from my Aunt Bev.

Congrats once again Jack & Shannon on the birth of baby Cole!

It was a pleasure hosting the shower for you.

Oh Baby!

My little nephew is about to arrive!! He'll be the first kiddo for my brother & sister-in-law.

Nephew’s arrival also makes first time Grandparents – for my parents, and for his mama’s parents. Talk about some major spoiling to be had, eh? He’s about to create quite the uproar with the Morris family – and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him into our loving, creative, baseball lovin’, fishing going, boat rowing, golden retriever owning, and somewhat kooky family. Okay, okay – very kooky family!

As a proud and happy Aunt (and of course, as a Planner) I’ll be hosting a Baby Shower for the little guy and his mama in the spring. For now, I’m going to keep the theme a secret – but once the mini Morris is here and both him and mama are happy and healthy, then I’ll let you all in on the theme for the fete.

I've bounced around a few ideas for a theme.

Can you guess what they are?

Planning a Baby Shower is just like any other event you plan – big or small. There are plenty of logistics to consider, guest lists to be made – with addresses to secure, and of course you need a budget. Also, having a theme is fantastic for choosing and gathering décor items, and making or buying guest favours and for creating a menu.

Hosting a Baby Shower or any other life celebration? Need help bringing a theme to life? Give us a call - we’d be more than pleased to assist you with creating and organizing a most memorable event. We can offer you ideas, suggestions and vendors in a personalized Consultation meeting, or plan and execute the entire event on your behalf with Full Event Planning.

So until next post, "Auntie Diane" wishes you a fabulous weekend!

*Images from Google Images and Hostess With The Mostess Blog