Hosting your inaugural dinner party is an exhilarating adventure, ripe with the promise of unforgettable moments and unexpected delights. Don’t let the initial jitters deter you; diving into the world of dinner parties is a thrilling journey that often yields the most delightful surprises among friends. In this guide, we’ll focus on the cornerstone of any memorable dinner party: the table setting. Planning and meal suggestions? Fear not, we’ll save those for another tantalizing article. For now, let’s master the art of setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

Find Your Perfect Cloth:

Start with a pristine cloth, crisply pressed, and draped with a two to three-inch overhang, exuding an air of elegance and anticipation. Linen is simple, timeless and effortlessly stylish. The beauty of linen is in its natural fibres. Most natural linens mellow with each washing and soften with age. They will however, require some ironing or steaming for a crisp finish. If you are short on time, consider a faux linen cloth. Faux linen is wrinkle resistant, easy to clean and will not fade. A faux linen cloth will also be considerably less expensive. Most cloths can be further elevated by a table runner, which can be matching, coordinating or daringly different, whatever your preference.

Choosing Your Cloth Color

Table cloths come in almost every colour imaginable. Personally, I love a white or cream tablecloth but you may prefer to team up with the colours of your room. Each colour can give off a different vibe, for example, natural earthy colours like beiges, greens and stones provoke a rustic, gentle feel, whereas reds and hot pinks evoke excitement. Chambray blue and yellows are perfect for a vintage dinner party. Alternatively, choose a patterned cloth, as your table will require less layering and dressing.

Placemats Galore:

Catering for six guests? Arrange six placemats around the table, with extras for those tantalizing oven-to-table dishes that steal the spotlight. If your cloth is white, consider metallic place mats, Chargers and coasters teamed up with candle holders in the same alloy, your table will look chic and sophisticated. Acrylic Chargers no longer have to look cheap, they have come a long way from the plain plastic circles they once were. They now come scalloped, beaded or highly decorative and can add a touch of vintage or gothic charm, depending on the mood you wish to achieve. Go for jewelled colours like Emerald Green or Ruby Red for a dynamic, vibrant look.

For continuity, keep your coasters (drinks mats) a similar shape and colour tone to your place mats. It doesn’t have to be an exact match or even made from the same material, mismatched tableware is a fashionable concept to day.

You may prefer a rectangular dinner mat and square coaster, (often sold in a set sometimes in twos fours or six settings). Cork backed mats are durable, stain and heat resistant so these too are highly fashionable. Don’t discard wicker or woven mats if you want that rustic, farmhouse vibe, or classy cotton mats to give you that nice warm feeling.

Place Plates and Coasters:

Guide your guests to their seats with side plates gracefully adorning the left-hand side of placemats, while the wine coaster awaits its first pour at the top right.

First Dinner Party – Cheers to Choices:

Select your wine glasses thoughtfully—generous goblets for robust reds, delicate vessels for crisp whites. Remember, red wine craves room temperature, while its white counterpart prefers a chilled embrace.

Team your glasses with your placemats and coasters. Crystal or plain glass will enhance a white linen cloth and metallic mats. Multi coloured acrylic glasses will look enchanting when paired with jewel coloured mats or a richly coloured cloth.

Glasses are far less expensive than they used to be, but if you don’t want to buy new, check out the thrift stores. Mismatched, clear glasses bring a nostalgic feel to your table and the overall effect will look planned and carefully thought out.

Acrylic glasses are very affordable and great fun. Be as bold as you dare, depending on the look you are aiming to achieve. Jewel colored glasses will look elaborate and ornate, whereas pastel acrylic glasses will offer a more vintage feel.

Hydration Station:

Keep the hydration flowing with water glasses at the ready and a pitcher of ice-cold water for those opting for a refreshing pause from alcoholic indulgence. Don’t leave your guests sitting whilst you’re running around looking for highball glasses or tumblers. Have them accessible. Even crystal effect glasses can look luxurious having diamond like detailing whilst being versatile and durable.

Napkin Nesting:

Nestle napkins alongside side plates or elegantly fold them within glasses, a touch of whimsy awaiting each diner’s arrival. Choose your napkins to suit your cloth. It is fine to mix fabric and paper, if you have chosen similar color tones. If you have a plain cloth, consider a themed or patterned napkin. Alternatively, choose a contrasting block color for a sophisticated look or a whimsical floral napkin for a vintage feel. If you’re going for a floral patterned napkin, keep it seasonal.

Use napkin rings if you have them, but if not, why not simply tie a simple piece of ribbon the color of your cloth around your napkins for a cohesive feel.

Cutlery Choreography for Your First Dinner Party:

Let your gleaming cutlery take center stage, gracefully arranged around placemats. Main course utensils cozy up closest to the plate, while starters await their cue on the outer edges. Dessert spoons and forks? They perch above the setting, poised for the sweet finale.

Cutlery doesn’t have to be expensive. An every day set can look just perfect if you have a colour coordinated table, layered with placemats coasters and napkins. For a unique, dramatic feel, make a statement with a mirror finished stainless steel gold set. Teamed with gold or jewelled Chargers and a black or white cloth your table will take your guests on a tantalising journey of opulence.

My advice would be to choose a set you can use over and over, one that is dishwasher safe. Make sure you have plenty of serving utensils so that your guests can plate up effortlessly, with minimum fuss.

Butter Bliss – First Dinner Party:

Elevate the bread service with a pretty butter dish and place in the center of your table. If you don’t want to invest in a butter dish cut your butter into small squares poised for spearing and serve on a small plate. Garnish with a sprig of parsley. For both your sauces and gravy, you can use a clear glass or ceramic gravy boat. Alternatively opt for a crystal gravy boat which can also serve as a server for salad dressing. Your condiment set can be a simple or as lavish as you choose. Opt for white or glass for a classic look, patterned for a vintage look, or wooden for that rustic feel.

Effortless Elegance For Your First Dinner Party:

As courses waltz in and out of the limelight, ensure seamless transitions by swiftly whisking away finished dishes. Leave the stacking to the kitchen, where the magic unfolds anew. Dessert awaits its grand entrance, accompanied by a jug of cream or a scoop of ice cream, ready to captivate taste buds and hearts alike.

With these tantalizing tips, your first dinner party is sure to be a symphony of style, taste, and unforgettable memories. Remember, you don’t have to break the bank there is always an affordable alternative.

To Summarise:

Choose your cloth, pick your color and decide on the mood you wish to create. If you are on a tight budget, visit the thrift stores and if you do buy new, buy items that you can use over and over again.

Here are some ideas I’ve put together which I think, match up particularly well. The choice of course is yours and the options are limitless!