Setting the Table

• Start with a clean and bare table. It will depend on the occasion and the table, but you may want to start with a table cloth. A nice linen in a solid color or with a pattern will work. You can choose a seasonal color or design if you are entertaining, but make sure the pattern and colors go with the china you will be using. You may also want to consider a centerpiece. Fresh flowers are always nice, or a seasonal decoration or candles work nicely as well. You can also put salt, pepper, butter and any other condiments you will need in the center of the table.
  
  

Dishes

• The place settings are next. You can start with a charger or place mat whether or not you have used a table cloth. Go with something that will complement the linen or table and the china. Lay the main plate on top of the charger, and the soup or salad plate on top of the entree plate. You can place the napkin on top of the china if you like. Use a napkin ring or fold the napkin decoratively.
  
  

Silverware

• The placement of the silverware will depend slightly on what you are serving and what style place setting you like, but you can follow the general rule of using the outside utensil first and working your way in toward the plate. For example, if you have a salad fork and a dinner fork, the salad fork would be on the outside if the salad course is first.
  
  The knife will generally lie on the right side of the plate with the blade facing in toward the plate. The spoon or spoons will go to the right of the knife. The forks generally go on the left side of the plate. You can lay the napkin down first and then place the fork or forks on top of the napkin, or next to the napkin with the napkin outside of the forks.
  
  

Glasses

• The glasses should be placed at the top of the plate on the right hand side. If there are multiple glasses, the order from left to right should be water, red wine, white wine, and lastly champagne flutes all the way to the right.