How do i decorate a formal table for a dinner party?

Question

I have 20 tables to decorate for a formal dinner and I am looking for ideas or a theme if you could help out that would be great

Answer 1

Table Setting - Formal Dinner
http://cookingwithshirley.com/table_settings.html
http://www.homenlinens.com/table_setting_formal.asp
Nakin Folding
http://free2explore.com/recipes/napkin_folding.html

Floating candles or low floral arrangement for centerpiece....

Answer 2

Nice table cloth
Fine China
Fold Napkins
Candles

Answer 3

Pick a color and stick to it for more impact.

Candles. Lots adn lots of candles. You can go to the dollar store and buy all sorts of clear galss candle holders: votives, tealights, pillars, whatever, and put an assortment on each table. Use the same color candle, but all sizes. Avoid scented candles since it's a dining table.

You can rent nice tablecloths and napkins cheap.

Also consider an array of fruits and vegetables in-seson as your decor. If it's fall, pumpkins, gourds, squashes, Indian corn, apples, all set atop a square of rugged burlap would be pretty, maybe on a deep gold, green, or brown tablecloth.

You coudl even take a drill bit (get a 1" wide one) adn drill holes in the pumpkins and put lights inside. Don't do Halloween faces, just polka dots; will be gorgeious w/ a candle flickering inside.

Answer 4

Set a budget before you're start - Hobby Lobby is a good place to look for ideas - as for a theme - let nature talk - fall is around you could pick up some pretty leaves, or cones and put them on the table - napkins, china etc. candles always set the mood - good luck with your formal dinner

Answer 5

Dress each table differently. Each table in it's own color. Fresh flowers, candles, cloth napkins, napkin rings, china, crystal, namecards, placemats and gorgeous linens.
1 sky blue table
2 terra cotta table
3 lemondrop yellow table
4 misty mauve table
5 loden green table
6 goldenrod table
7 brick table
8 aubergine table
9 celery table
10 mauve table
11 periwinkle table
12 white on white table
13 icy teal table
14 soft chocolate table
15 olive green table
16 mocha table
17 buttercup table
18 ebony table
19 deep rose table
20 royal blue table

Answer 6

Filled Wreath
A natural wreath made of pinecones and twigs was set in the center of the table, then filled with pumpkins and gourds. Decorate the "gaps" between items with sprigs of preserved or silk fall leaves.

Platter, Tray, or Plastic
Fall, Twig, or Vine Wreath
1 Medium pumpkin
Small pumpkins or gourds
Mini-pumpkins
Mini-corn
Preserved or silk fall leaves

Instructions:

To begin
Set a cutting board or tray on the table (or simply put plastic down) to protect your table from any moisture in the materials. Tip: Using a larger board should allow you to move the arrangement in order to change a tablecloth or clean.

Large Items First
Place a fall wreath flat on the table. It could be a plain vine or twig wreath, or a decorated fall wreath. Here we've used a square wreath decorated with small pine cones and twig bundles. Add one medium sized pumpkin and a few larger gourds inside the wreath.
Tip: Glue some felt to the back of the wreath if you'll be placing it directly on the table. Use a length of coiled vines or fall garland if you don't have a wreath.

Mini-Pumpkins and Gourds
Add several small pumpkins.
Tip: For deep wreaths you can fill the inside with crumpled brown paper or layers of bubble wrap.

Mini-Pumpkins
Add a few mini-pumpkins and other pieces (here we've added artificial pears). Then embellish as you prefer with some mini-corn, pine cones, moss.

Finish with Leaves
Finally, set silk or preserved leaves between the items to finish off the arrangement.
Tip: The goal is to eliminate the "gaps" and bring together all of the elements

Source(s):

http://interiordec.about.com/cs/fallinde...

Answer 7

Simple is elegant. A table for fine dining shouldn't be cluttered.A fan fold or tuxedo fold on the napkin and a tea light are more than sufficient.

Answer 8

oooh how fun! How about Chinese New Year? there are tons of traditional foods and decorations. Or Mardi Gras is coming up, you can give everyone beads and make cajun foods. You can do holiday themes or just silly themes like beach party, broadway, vegas..have fun!

Answer 9

www.kraftcanada.com

I always include place cards in holders that the guests can take home with them as a souveneir and Menu cards.
I also make a kids table in the opposite motif colors from the adults. The kids love it.

Answer 10

what is the reason for the party? that might suggest a theme, since its fall you might go with soft gold candles all white dishes and maybe sheaves of grain and baby pumpkins, but if thats not formal enough, you might go with a soft yellow rose and yellow candles, ivory china with a gold edge, ivory linens.