Wedding Table Setting

A Wedding Table Setting may either be formal, semi-formal, informal and casual, or non-existent! Lets start with the traditional formal setting which is usually chosen to compliment a formal wedding breakfast.

Placement of Crockery:

All crockery, i.e. plates, soup bowls and dessert dishes, upon which food is served in or on should be placed in a central position in front of the seated person on the table. Place mats are optional, but if used the crockery should be placed centrally on the place mat. A piece of crockery or a place mat should be placed one inch away from the edge of the table.

Side plates are placed to the left of the center plate/mat. Finger bowls are place top left, i.e. above the side plate.

Placement of Glasses For A Wedding Table Setting:

When placing glasses for a wedding table setting, it is extremely important for the caterers, or sommelier, to indicate the wines that will be accompanying the meal. Arranged from left to right in a straight line, the first glass should be lined up above the meat knife as follows: liqueur or port glass, water glass, red wine glass and white wine glass on the outside.

Champagne glasses for the toasts should be brought around by wait staff prior to the speeches.

Placement of Cutlery for a Wedding Table Setting:

Table setters must be briefed prior to the placement of cutlery for a wedding table setting as it is essential that the cutlery reflects what is to be eaten. For instance, if fish or soup is not to be served then this cutlery will not be required. A formal setting is as follows:

To the left of the plate on the outside is placed the First Course or Fish Fork and inside (next to the plate) the Main Course Fork.

Directly above the plate is the dessert fork pointing to the right and above the dessertspoon pointing to the left.

To the right of the plate on the inside is the Bread Knife, then the Main Course (Meat) Knife, then the Fish Knife with a Soup Spoon on the outside – if soup is to be served. All knife blades should point inwards i.e. towards the plate. An alternative placement for the Bread Knife is vertically across the side plate.

Table Cloths:

Classically these are starched white linen with white linen napkins. However, a bride may choose to continue her colour theme in the tablecloth and/or the napkins.

Name Cards: Name cards indicating the seating arrangements should be placed above and center to the dessert knife and fork.

Table decorations:

Please ensure that, when seated, your guests can see over your table decorations. There is nothing worse than talking to a candelabra all evening! There is another opportunity to continue your colour theme in a floral decoration and for the key flower in the bride’s bouquet to be replicated.

Wedding favours:

There is no set rule where these are placed. The most common placement is on the side plate. Alternatively the bride may choose to circulate amongst her guests and pass out her favours to them. In this instance it is important not to miss anyone!

Serving Spoons and Condiments:

Serving spoons and forks are usually paired centrally on a table of four, or at equal distance on a table of six/eight. In a formal situation there is usually silver service so serving cutlery need not be placed.

Salt and pepper, or salt and pepper mills, together with any other accompaniments, are positioned just off center. For a large table there should be two sets, including two plates of butter.

Semi-formal Wedding Table Setting:

This will mirror the above. Differences are that there will be no silver service, so serving spoons will have to be placed. Specialist cutlery will be brought to the table as required.

Informal Wedding Table Setting:

A knife and fork may be placed upon a napkin to the left of the plate. Alternatively at a buffet you may choose your cutlery according to the selection of dish. Some caterers wrap a knife and fork in a napkin ready to be picked up with the plate.

Finally, a table setting should change to reflect the food being served. For example, Chinese bowls, sake bowls, chop sticks, spoons, etc., may replace traditional cutlery. However, the most important thing of all is to ensure the crockery and cutlery is clean!

Wedding Table Setting