How should I set a wedding table?

Short answer

Set a wedding table with a clean tablecloth, a centrepiece, and a place setting for each guest. Put the dinner plate in the middle, cutlery outside in, glasses above the knife, and a napkin on the plate or to the left. Keep it simple and consistent.

A well-set table helps guests feel looked after and makes the meal run smoothly. Start with a pressed tablecloth and a runner if you like. Place a charger or dinner plate at each seat, about an inch from the table edge. Forks go on the left, knives on the right with blades facing in, and spoons to the right of the knife. If you have a starter and a main, put the starter cutlery on the outside.

Glasses sit above the knife, with the water glass closest and wine glasses to its right. The bread plate, if you have one, goes on the top left. The napkin can be folded on the plate or placed to the left of the forks. For a formal feel, add a name card and a small favour at each place.

Your centrepiece should not block anyone's view, so keep it low or tall as discussed. Leave enough room for guests to reach their glasses and for waiting staff to serve. If you have a buffet, you can skip the full place setting and just lay a fork and napkin. Always check your venue's table sizes and chair widths, and do a trial setting at home to measure spacing.