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How to Set a Formal Dining Table

If you are hosting a dinner party, whether it be formal or just Christmas dinner with the family, it’s never a bad idea to brush on how to properly setting your dining table. This particular set up is to be used with a main course of fish served with bread, soup, salad, appetizer and dessert.

1 – Appetizers – Even though you have the table set perfectly, you might have to also remind your guests as to which utensil they use to begin eating. They will begin by using the flatwear at the outside left and right, and then work their way in towards the plate as more of the meal is served. Stemwear is placed above the plates and to the right, and the bread and butter plates are above and to the left. The flatwear should line up with the lower rim of the charger, which should be removed after everyone unfolds their napkins and places them on their laps. Napkins should be displayed in napkin rings and placed in the middle of the plate. The water glass should be located above the knife. If you are serving wine, white wine glasses should be to the right of the water glass and red wine stemwear should be at the top center.

2 – Soup – If you are planning on serving soup, it is proper etiquette to serve it in a warm dish on top of a dinner plate. The soup is then eaten with the spoon located at the outer right. After everyone is finished, the bowl and spoon should be removed.

 

3 – Fish – A medium sized plate should be used to serve fish. Use the short, wide fork located the farthest left, and the fish knife at the outside right.

 

4 – Salad – Salad should be served on a medium sized plate and will be eaten with the remaining fork, which should be wider than all other forks, as it can be used for cutting. After everyone is finished with their salads, the salad and bread plates should be removed along with the wine glasses. Now the table is ready to receive dessert.

5 – Dessert – A small plate should be used to serve dessert along with a coffee cup, or teacup, and a spoon, and a cake fork and dessert spoon. These should be placed upon the dessert plate before hand with the fork’s tines facing right and the spoon’s bowl facing left. The water glass should be the only stemwear left on the table.

Visit The Party Place at 1200 Waldron Road Suite 126 in Fort Smith, Arkansas right next to FFO and in Rogers, Arkansas at ADDRESS and ADDRESS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/partyplacefortsmith on Twitter @partyplace_fs Instagram @yourpartyplace and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/thepartyplace/

 

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Tips on Proper Wedding Etiquette

From the beginning proposal to the end “I do’s” here are just of few tips for proper wedding etiquette.

1 – Engagement News – So, who should actually be the first people to know about the big news? Our first bit of advice says, do not broadcast it via social media—at least not yet. If you have children, they should be the first to know. Then parents, family members, and close friends fall next in line. After the important people know, then feel free to blast your exciting proposal all over Facebook, Instagram, and wherever else you wish!

 

2 – Here Comes the Bride and Who? – Tradition says that the bride’s father is supposed to be the one to walk her down the aisle, but that isn’t always possible. So, is it alright to have someone else accompany you? Of course it is! Any person of significance to you is fine to walk you down the aisle.

 

3 – Invitations – Proper wedding etiquette says to send the invitation to your guests well in advance, at least one month—more if you have guests coming from out of town. The last day for guests to RSVP should be set at 15 days before the wedding. Include a pre-stamped envelope which will encourage guests RSVP. Call those who haven’t responded the week before to follow up as to whether or not they will be attending. A new trend is sending out a “Save the Date” reminder after the engagement happens. Many couples do this as a heads up and then send out the formal invitations closer to the big day. You should also be sure to send invitations to guests, even if you know they cannot attend.

 

4 – Do I Have to Have a Cake? – Tradition says yes, but 2014 says no. Many weddings use cupcake towers or candy bars in place of the cake. Whatever you decide to use is fine. Just know that the cutting of the cake or serving of dessert is the traditional symbol to let guests know its alright to leave without being rude, so you may want to let everyone know when the festivities are wrapping up.

 

5 – Who Do I Ask to Be in My Wedding? – This is a tough, tough question–one that has undoubtedly broken a friendship or two. Just remember, regardless of whom you choose to include or not include, you should not feel obligated. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to be a part of your wedding, but we know that isn’t always going to be the case. Ask only those whom you are very close to. It is also a nice gesture to include your fiancé’s siblings or those who you served in their wedding, but you are not required to do so. If in doubt about a person, ask them to be another part of your wedding party like an usher or to oversee the guest book signing.

 

If you are in the process of planning your big day, The Party Place has the essentials you need to host the perfect wedding. Plates, napkins, centerpieces, invitations, flowers, balloons, cake tiers, decorations, cake cutters, mints and more are available in store. Visit The Party Place at 1200 Waldron Road Suite 126 in Fort Smith, Arkansas right next to FFO and in Rogers, Arkansas at ADDRESS and ADDRESS. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com//partyplacefortsmith on Twitter @partyplace_fs Instagram @yourpartplace and Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/thepartyplace/