How to Set a Formal Dinner Table

Happy Monday everyone!

Summer is only just now coming to an end, but the holidays and all of the festivities that it brings, will be here before you know it. Often times, Thanksgiving and Christmas and maybe a dinner party in between call for a formal table. Here are a few diagrams to refer to when setting your table.

{image via Martha Stewart}

How to Set a Formal Table

{image via Martha Stewart}

Setting a proper table can feel daunting. But etiquette consultant, Pamela Hillings, said it best..."Once you realize table setting is based on logic, things become less intimidating". Follow this simple rule: set the silverware on the table in the order that it will be used, from the outside in.

The fork used for the first course will be placed the farthest to the left and the knife for the first course will be the farthest to the right. Place any spoons that will be used before dessert to the right of the knives. Dessert utensils should always be placed horizontally above the dinner plate.

All stemware to be used dinner dinner should be preset. The date glass sits to the right of the plate while, just above the knife. Wineglasses should be set to the right of the water glass.

The Dessert Course

Dessert is enjoyed by all on special occasions, more so than a soup course these days. Here is what a proper dessert setting should look like.

{image via Martha Stewart}

All stemware, besides the water glass, should be removed. The dessert spoon and fork remain from the initial setting. Dessert is presented on a small plate accompanied by a coffee or teacup and a teaspoon.

Happy entertaining! Do you have any fall dinner parties up your sleeve?!

An Elegant Red and White Holiday Table

It's Christmas week which makes me giddy! Having two little boys who are two and four make it that much more exciting. Here is a GORGEOUS table that I spotted on Style Me Pretty which was designed by the ladies of Simply Bloom Photography. Visit Style me Pretty to read a bit more on this beautiful table.

{Real Parties} My Birthday Dinner

A few weeks ago, we celebrated my birthday in a special way! My parents, being the kind and generous people they are, had a private chef and a small staff come to our house and wine and dine us for the evening. I had such a wonderful time spending quality time with some of my closest friends. Of course, being the party planner that I am, I had to try and make the night as memorable as I could for our guests.

The color palette for the party came from my china which is the Queen Victoria pattern by Herend. It is bright and colorful and is filled with intricate flowers and butterflies. My talented friend, Hayley Hardcastle, designed the most gorgeous invitation which she hand wrote for each couple. My best friend, Whitney, asked Hayley to paint the door sign {shown above} as a surprise gift for me! My jaw dropped when I opened the package!

I had so much fun pulling the dinner table together! I wanted to combine modern and traditional touches which I did by using my china, silver and crystal along with modern white vases from Crate & Barrel.

One of my favorite parts of the decor were the pink napkins I purchased from World Market and had monogrammed with our initial.

As our friends sat down, they found a gift at their seat. Each lady received a butterfly frame with a picture of them and their significant other. This also helped direct them to their place.

The guys each received a monogrammed Jon Hart koozie which was wrapped in coordinating pink toile paper. I know, PINK! But I was not about to wrap their gifts in a masculine paper that took away from the table setting. Sorry guys! It's the inside that counts though, right?!

The table was filled with beautiful pink peonies and roses. I was beyond pleased with how the flowers turned out!

Hayley Hardcastle also hand wrote each menu card which served as the place card as well. Each guests name was written in a dark pink pink to give it a fun pop of color.

The guys monogrammed koozies which they found packaged in their seat.

Before we sat down for dinner, we sampled many delicious bites. My favorite had to be the tomato basil soup shots with mini grilled cheese sandwiches!

I changed the specialty drink the day before to Champagne Slushies after I saw this gorgeous photo shoot on Style Me Pretty. The drink was light and refreshing and perfect to start with. On the drink tray that the waiter passed, a card was placed near the glasses so guests could see what was being offered.

Another goodie for my friends to take home! I individually wrapped mini pies from my favorite source, Royer's Round Top Cafe. They are divine!

I tucked bamboo forks {from Garnish} which Hayley embellished with the word, Indulge, inside the ribbon.

It truly was such a memorable celebration for me and I hope my friends had a wonderful time as well. Here is a picture of me and my hubby before everyone arrived...

Ellen Johnson took all of the beautiful photographs and was such a pleasure to work with. Ellen also photographed the clothing swap that I hosted last August.

Party Sources:

* Invitations, menus, specialty drink card & hand painted door sign - Hayley Hardcastle

* Flowers - Whole Foods {Woodway/Jose}

* Pink napkins - World Market

* Gold beaded chargers - A Finer Event

* White, square vases - Crate & Barrel

* Butterfly frames - Z Gallerie

* Jon Hart kozzies - Bering's...stamped at Maidas

* Toile packages - wrapped by Bering's

* Mini pies {chocolate chip, buttermilk & pecan} - Royer's Round Top Cafe

* Bamboo forks - Garnish

* White boxes - Palmer Packaging

* Sheer, pink ribbon - Michael's

* Catering - Abuso Catering

Who Wants Pie??!!

{image via style me pretty}

When I first saw the above picture (and tablescape), it had me swooning! I love everything about the this mock party...the white on white flower arrangements and the seaglass are absolutely gorgeous AND can we talk about the pie! It's no secret that I am a dessert lover. So, the pie at each place setting is right up my ally.

This got me thinking...

{image via style me pretty}

If you love dessert and want to offer a variety to your guests, change up the dessert table a bit and offer a selection of your favorite pies! There are many ways you can creatively display the pies. I especially love the idea of the armoire pictured above. Or set them on top of a great piece of furniture like a desk or console table.

{image via style me pretty}

These mini cherry pies are so cute and would make any guest feel cheery! You can order them from a bakery or follow these easy steps to create your own.

{image via once wed}

Decorative cake stands would help set your pie table apart. I also like the addition of flags inserted into each pie letting people know the flavor.

{image via jackson and company}

I just might have to have a pie table at my next party!

Who Knew?!

Who knew baby's breath could actually look pretty?!

I spotted this stunning wedding over at JL Designs and just saw that Natasha from Fete Fanatic just wrote a post about it too. See more of the gorgeous photos here.

Real Parties: A Silver & Teal Celebratory Dinner

My photography skills are SHAMEFUL and I am very reluctant to share these with you because it does not do the party justice one bit!! I have been spoiled rotten by my photographer friends who shoot my parties. But I promised and maybe one person out there actually has been waiting to see these. So here goes...

I was so excited because the hostess wanted to use ghost chairs which I have been dying to use! They were gorgeous and gave the space a clean, modern feel. We cleared the living room of all furniture and brought in two long tables that each sat 20 people.

The colors were silver, teal and white which we carried throughout the entire party. Hayley Hardcastle designed the box invitation as well as the other paper goods like the menu above. A personal chef catered the event and guests feasted on a 10 course meal.

A mannequin (long story!) held a larger menu near the chef's station so guests could take a closer look at what was being prepared.

One of the flower arrangements...we used white roses and peonies.

Cocktail napkins with the guest of honor's initials.

The favor table.

Again, I apologize for my terrible photography skills! It really was a gorgeous party and I wish I had hired a photographer...oh well!