Take a large white or neutral colour tablecloth (yes, our grandmas used proper tablecloths in their day, sometimes plain or checked, or bright with florals or made with lace) to cover the entire table. If it has a bit of pattern on, then that’s great and you can incorporate those colours into your napkins or crockery. For example, if there are a few black stripes on the cloth then you could have white plates with black and white napkins on. A matching menu card would be great too.

Set the plates out with the cutlery, napkins or serviettes and menu card laid on the plate. Use plain glasses and set one by each plate ready for that much needed drink.

Finally add some finishing touches to the table setting, such as some clear glass vases down the middle with some eucalyptus in and some white- or neutral-coloured candles spaced out as well.  (Be careful that they are not too close to the eucalyptus, so it doesn’t catch alight)

Time for the guests to take a seat and of course, most importantly – the food!