A long table on the verandah at Fox Hall was set for fifty for a ladies’ luncheon honoring Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey). I slipped each menu card within the napkin’s fold to keep it from blowing away from the outdoor gentle breeze.
Menu cards are a lovely touch, elevating any occasion and honoring a celebration! These cards serve a practical purpose: informing guests of the courses to come and also, as a subtle alert to potential food allergies. Beyond function, they’re cherished keepsakes, especially when adorned with the event’s date, occasion, or a nod to a guest of honor.
Designing the Perfect Menu Card:
Traditionally, menu cards are printed vertically on high-quality stock, measuring approximately 4¼” x 5½” to 5” x 8”. Mine, custom-made on 120-pound white paper, feature a charming Fox Hall illustration centered at the top. Rounded edges—a European flourish—add aesthetic appeal. Black ink exudes classic formality, though gold or colored inks can harmonize with the event’s theme or table design.
Menu Card Placement Options:
• To the left of the forks
• On the butter plate (sans butter)
• Atop the dinner plate or napkin
• Upright in a menu card holder (mirroring a place card holder) placed above the dinner plate or butter plate.
For large events, printing the menu within the program is a cost-effective, yet sophisticated choice, especially for charity events.
Always include the date and year on menu cards to create a lasting memento of the celebration.
My husband, along with two dear friends, all April-born Aries, inspired this “Rambunctious Rams” birthday dinner party theme!
This cherished menu card recalls a memorable evening at Dr.and Mrs. Paul R.C. Sullivan’s stunning home, where I was seated beside Jerry Franklin, the former CEO of Connecticut Public Television. This evening serendipitously sparked our friendship, which led to creating a pilot TV episode (filmed in the same house!), which in turn, launched my PBS television series—a true keepsake!
Creative Uses for Blank Menu Cards:
Menu cards (sans menu details) can double as impromptu note cards for heartfelt thank-yous or personal messages. I adore their versatility and size!
Forbidden Faux Pas:
As a courteous guest, inform your host of any food allergies well in advance. Nothing disrupts a hostess’s carefully planned event more than learning at the table that a guest is vegetarian or has food allergies!
Examples of two regal menu cards:
