First, you will put down the charger plate and align it with the edge of the table. The charger plate is put on the table solely for decoration.

The dinner plate is placed on top of the charger plate.

Put the dinner knife on the table on the right side of the plate with the cutting side facing it.

Put the dinner fork on the left side of the plate. The fork and knife should be aligned with the short edge of the charger plate.

Put the fish knife beside the dinner knife the alignment should be determined by the middle of the knife where it changes from blade to handle.

On the left side of the plate put the fish fork the point of the fish fork can be higher than the dinner fork as long as they are aligned in the middle.

The soup spoon should be placed directly next to the fish knife. The handle of the spoon should be aligned with the handle of the fish knife.

Put the bread plate on the left side of the dinner plate. On top of the bread plate, put the bread or butter knife.

Put the dessert knife on the far side in front of the dinner plate aligned with the long side. The handle should be turned to the right side and the sharp side of the blade should be turned towards the plate above the knife.

Put the dessert fork with the handle on the left side then put down the dessert spoon with the handle on the right side aligned with the dessert knife.

First place the water glass next to the dessert knife.

Next place the red wine glass above the dinner knife.

The white wine glass should be placed to the right of the red wine glass creating a curve.

After comes the cognac snifter.

The champagne flute.

The liqueur glass should be placed to the right of the champagne flute.

Place a folded napkin in a glass or on top of the plate.

Put the flower vase on one side or in the center, the ash tray, the salt and pepper shakers and the table number. The candlestick should always be placed in the middle of the table.

This is one of the ways you set a formal table.