Your perfect party table in 10 steps

A beautifully set party table not only looks perfect in your wedding photos later, but also creates a wow effect and makes your guests feel luxurious. Here are the ten steps you and your caterer can follow to make your party table absolutely perfect.

Photo (above): Wedding planning: La Sensa Boutique Events - Photographer: Yves Schepers - Decoration, table linen: La Sensa Boutique Events - Furniture: Femat - Eye Point

1. The festive table

Setting your party table starts with choosing the tables themselves. The most popular choices are round and long tables. The round table is a true classic for wedding receptions. This setting is more formal, where the long table feels a little more family-like as it allows guests to sit closer together and thus speak to each other more easily. The style of your table is also important because it already immediately contributes to your chosen theme. After all, a wooden farmhouse table creates a completely different atmosphere than, say, a metal industrial table.

2. Chairs

Next, the chairs are the best match for your table and theme. Your caterer will have set distances for spreading the guests around your table, and also for the amount of space he likes to reserve between the tables and chairs to allow for smooth serving during your dinner.

3. Light

Every party table needs adequate light so that dining is pleasant and everyone can see what gems are on the plate. So no table will be set in the darkest corner of your reception area. If you have large chandeliers shining above your banquet table, the best way is to hang them perfectly in the centre above your tables. What's more, combining them with directional ‘spotlights’ that backlight the plates really is a must have! What is also beautifully decorative is hanging many small lights above your table. This is interspersed with hanging plants, for example.

4. Tablecloth

The tablecloth on your party table can also go beautifully with the colour of your theme. You can also lay a long table runner or use tulle for that extra touch of class. Ideally, the tablecloth will hang beautifully symmetrical and 30 to 45cm over the edge of your party table, to just barely touching your guests' laps. It's all about the details!

5. Plates

The first -largest- plate should be 2.5cm from the edge of the table. This is about the width of your thumb. On top of that, there will be a smaller plate, which will serve for your starter. On that plate, the soup plate will be placed. There will never be more than four plates on top of each other on your party table. Additional plates, for example for dessert, can be brought when that course is served.

6. Cutlery

Forks are placed to the left of the plate and knives and spoons to the right. The sharp side of the knife always faces the plate. Since you work inwards when eating, the cutlery you need first is on the outside. Normally, this is also the smallest cutlery. There will be exactly the same amount of space between each item next to the plate. Again, the cutlery is also 2.5cm from the edge of the table. Like the plates, the rule applies to cutlery too: don't exaggerate! According to party table etiquette, never more than three pieces of cutlery will be placed next to each other on each side of plate. The only exception is possibly the extra oyster fork. If four courses are served, the cutlery from the fourth course will not be brought until serving. The small spoon and possibly the small fork for dessert either lie horizontally above the plate or are brought when dessert is served.

7. Printed matter

Printed matter is another essential element for a festive and stylish table. A party table includes name cards, menu cards and table names. These are on the left above the plate, on the plate and in the centre of the table respectively. The style of that printed material is an extension of your invitations and the mood of your entire party. So pull your style through into your printed materials and make your party table unique!

8. Napkins

The napkin is either on the bottom plate or to the left of the forks. If there is little space between the guests, you can also place the napkin under the forks. In the evening, you have more freedom when it comes to your napkins: you can fold and decorate them as extravagantly as you like.

9. Glasses

On the right, above the plates, the glasses are lined up diagonally. On the right, at the lowest point of the slanting line, is the small water glass. The smallest wine glass for white wine is placed diagonally left above the water glass. Then, diagonally to the left above it, place the largest wine glass for red wine. Only if the water glass is taller and larger than the glass for red wine, is it placed at the back and therefore on the far left of the row.

10. Decorations

Finally, your beautiful party table will be decorated with decorative elements. This is your chance to add an extra personal touch. These can include flower arrangements, pieces of decorative fabric and candles in the centre of the tables. Make sure both are secure and cannot be knocked over. Keep decorations between guests symmetrical or nicely balanced all over the table. Finally, name tags are super fun to indicate the table arrangement. Your table decorations should not be too busy or too high, after all, guests should still be able to see each other sitting down. Your party table decoration will stick to a clearly delineated colour palette. This will give your party table an extra touch of style and splendour!

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