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Whether you’re sitting at the Bride’s table or relegated to the last outpost table in the ballroom, you’ll need to practice good table etiquette on this special day. The basis of all good table manners is a kindly thoughfulness for others whether you are eating at home or in public. Attention to these guides of table courtesy will help anyone be more considerate of others, and so be at ease at any food gathering.
The Basics
Sit up straight and do not lounge at the table. Keep elbows at your side, not resting on the table while eating. Be respectful of the personal eating space of others at the table.
Ask to have something you wish passed to you, first. If you must reach and can do it without too much disturbance, stand up from the table slightly, say “excuse me" for this breach of etiquette, and then reach for dish. Should you tip over a glass of water or wine, apologize to the table and use your napkin to cover the spill. Don’t attempt to clean it up. Call for assistance from the wait staff immediately.
Eat slowly and quietly. Never appear greedy. Never hold food on the fork while talking. Having once picked it up, eat a morsel promptly. If food or drink is too hot, let it stand until cooler. Never blow on it. Do not drink or talk while you have food in your mouth.
Using a Knife, Fork, and Spoon
When cutting food, hold the knife in the right hand, the fork in the left, tines down. Grasp the handles firmly and naturally. The ends of the handles rest in the palms of your hands and are not seen. Extend the index fingers along the handles to steady and guide the knife and fork. Cut only enough meat or other food for one or two bites at a time. Talk only the portion of food into the mouth that can be eaten at once.
Carry food to the mouth with the fork in the right hand, tines up. In some other countries such as Canada and even in some cosmopolitan circles in the U.S. , the preferred method is to carry food to the mouth with the fork in the left hand, tines turned down. Don’t put food on the back of the fork. Once a knife or fork has been used, rest it across the back of the plate, never on the tablecloth or propped up on the edge of the plate.
When eating soup, dip toward the back of the dish and sip from the side of the spoon. When eating other food with a spoon, dip towards you and take food from the end of the spoon. Use a spoon to stir and test the temperature of a hot drink. Do not leave the spoon standing in the cup. Lay it on the saucer. Never drink from a cup with a spoon standing in it. Leave dishes in place when you have finished eating. Leave your napkin on your lap until just prior to rising then leave it on the table to the left of the plate.
Finger Foods
Acceptable foods to eat with the fingers include: bread, pickles, olives, radishes, nuts, celery, raw carrots, fruit, French fries, potato chips, cookies, cake that isn’t sticky, corn on the cob and confections. To butter bread, break off a small piece, hold it on the plate and spread the butter. Do not butter a while slice or entire roll at a time. Do not bite from a whole slice of bread. Break it into small pieces as it is to be eaten.
Never place any food on the tablecloth. This applies to bread, salt, or garnishes such as parley. If the dinner plate too small, use the bread or salad plate for these items. Fruit pits should be made as clean and dry in the mouth as possible, then put on the side of the plate. Bones, such as those from fish, taken inadvertently into the mouth, are removed using the finger and thumb between compressed lips.
The Finale
Do not use toothpicks or dental floss in the presence of others. If you must cough or sneeze at the table, turn your head back and away and sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow. Refrain from using your napkin for this purpose. To leave the table, make an audibly soft “excuse me" announcement to those nearest you, then rise from the left side of the chair and push the chair as close to the table as possible. With these simple guidelines, you should be able to appreciate this special day knowing your table etiquette has been perfect.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
