A Fall Feast Table Setting Idea

Celebrate the harvest of the season with this simple Fall Feast Table Setting Idea.

This lush but laid-back tablescape is perfect for so many events! Whether you’re looking for ideas for your friendsgiving, harvest party, dinner party or thanksgiving table you won’t believe how easy it is to recreate this informal table setting idea that encourages guests to get comfortable and stay for a while.

Celebrate around the table

What better way to celebrate the bounty of the season than with a simple informal table full of food, drink and friends? Overflowing snack platters, self-serve beverages and a beautifully basic table setting with everything needed to enjoy the party makes it difficult for guests to pull themselves away from the table.

The things that really excite most people (myself included!) about parties are the food, beverages and connections. Specifically, the fabulous food and drink fueled conversations that happen when people are invited to linger around the table. To pick their own snacks straight off the platter and pour their own wine at whatever pace they decide. Which is probably why buffets and potlucks are my favorite! An inspired by that same sense of encouraging guests to linger and dine and drink at their own leisure Amanda of Rustic Events Rentals and I teamed up to create this fall table.

simple fall feast table setting idea with only 6 steps!

Step one

Set the tone with the invitation. These digital invitations from Paperless Post mimic the look of the lush simple feast that is carried throughout. They have online invitation options for any event theme though and when using Paperless Post you can send digital invitations that are just as beautiful as printed but so much easier! And the super customizable event page that comes with every invite makes tracking and getting information out to guests a breeze.

Step two

Once you’re ready to set the table start with a base of greenery. Look for long strands of greenery to easily fill the entire center of the table. I usually go outside and cut whatever I see, like weeping willow, cherry branches, or even fir branches. Store bough greenery that catches your eye like eucalyptus or fern works well too.

Step three

Add an overflowing cornucopia of produce. This vintage brass log holder was thrifted from goodwill and repurposed as a modern cornucopia. But you can use whatever you have whether a basket, large platter or just put the food straight on the table. Use any produce that looks beautiful. It’s nice to nod to the foods you’ll be serving like a few fresh artichokes, and a large stalk of Brussels sprouts or a bunch of kale.

Step four

Then add various other fresh fruit and other simple snacks in other containers. It’s easy to snack on grapes, figs, apples, pomegranates, pears or mandarin oranges. Or slice ’em up to share at the table. Arrange platters of bread sticks, cheese and crackers and nuts or asks guests to contribute them.

Add visual height and interest and use pieces of different heights. Cake stands, footed serving platters or even wood rounds and stacks of books work!

Step five

A basic table setting with plates, wine glasses, water glasses, cutlery and napkin makes this simple party a bit more upscale but doesn’t have to be difficult to put together, even for large parties! Mix and match pieces and even finishes makes everything interesting and keeps it easy.

How to set a simple informal table

Start by placing plate or plates in the center. With the larger dinner plate down first topped with a smaller salad or appetizer plate.
Place knife then spoon to the right of the plate
Include forks to the left of the plate in the order that they would typically be used. Usually smaller appetizer fork furthest to the left with the entree fork closer to the plate.
Place water glass closest to the plate above the knife. Then place a wine glass to the right of the water glass.
Include a napkin and a or personalized place card.

for more information about more or less formal table settings see this How to Set a Table: A Guide to Table Setting

Step six

Allow guests to serve their own beverages. A few opened bottles of wine and chilled water ensure that no one goes without something they’d like… a true feast!

It’s amazing the fabulous things that happen when people are relaxed, engaged and full of food and drink. What are you waiting for? Pick up some seasonal goodies and send a Paperless Post then enjoy your own fall feast with friends.

Enjoy!