If you're looking for a refresher on how to formally set a table, you've come to the right place. Before we begin, it's important to start with a great foundation. Choose a tablecloth, runner, or decor that complements your dinner theme or the holiday. Make sure to iron or steam linens first and then place them on the dining table. Keep reading below for our guide on formal table settings, including where to place chargers, plates, flatware, and stemware.

How to Formally Set a Table

Reference the diagram above as you read through each section below for tips and advice on placement, handling course changes, and what serveware can be removed based on your menu.

Formal Table Setting: Charger & Plates

To get your formal place setting endeavors started, place a spaced charger where each guest will sit. We recommend leaving at least 15" of space between each place setting to allow for elbow room. Place a bread plate to the upper left of the charger. Set the napkin to the far left, leaving space for the flatware – more on that below. For easy access, don’t place the napkins underneath the flatware. The napkin is usually the first thing guests reach for when they sit down, and if it is underneath flatware, they risk knocking their forks onto the floor.

For the first course, place the soup bowl on top of the charger. If you are serving fish for the second course, remove the soup bowl and charger and set down a midsize plate. If you plan to serve a salad after the fish course, remove the used midsize plate and set down a clean midsize salad plate. For the main course, either bring out a large dinner plate with the food pre-plated or set down empty dinner plates for guests to serve themselves family style. Remove the dinner plate and bread plate before serving dessert. Use your smallest plates for dessert.

Pro Tip:

If you plan to use place cards for each place setting, make one for each of your guests but not for yourself.

Formal Table Setting: Flatware

Now that you've successfully mastered the plates and bowls of a formal table setting, it's time to move onto the flatware. For the most aesthetically pleasing formal place setting, align all flatware with the bottom rim of the charger.

For the dinner forks, place the fish fork farthest left from the plate with the salad fork in the middle and the dinner fork closest to the plate's left side. For the knives and spoons, place the soup spoon farthest to the right of the plate with the fish knife in the middle and the dinner knife closest to the plate's right side. Set a butter knife atop the bread-and-butter plate. If you'll be using a dessert fork and dessert spoon, set them above the plate. Place the dessert fork closest to the plate with tines pointing right and the dessert spoon on top with the bowl facing left.

Remove each piece of flatware when removing that course's plate. Keep in mind that if you do not plan to serve a salad or fish course, you do not have to set out flatware that corresponds with that course.

Formal Table Setting: Stemware

The stemware goes above and to the right of the dinner plate in a formal table setting. Start by placing the water glass above the dinner knife. Set the white wine glass on its right and the red wine glass on top to form a triangle. If you plan on doing a champagne toast, set the flute all the way to the far right so that everyone can easily raise their glass in celebration.

Keep each of the glasses on the table throughout the courses. Remove the wine glasses when you clear the dinner plates. Leave only the water glass for dessert. If you plan to serve a dessert wine, cordial, or coffee, bring those glasses or mugs out once the table is cleared.

Browse our favorite formal table setting pieces.