Hosting a dinner party, but nervous about the basics? Do not panic, for below are some of the things that you need to keep in mind, and the rest will go off smoothly.
Your dinner party can be fun for everyone if you plan ahead and get creative with it. This guide will walk you through every step, from making the guest list to choosing the perfect menu and atmosphere.
Essential Ways for Planning a Dinner Party
Here are a few ways you could go about your dinner party planning.
Invitation and themes:
The first step is to decide who to invite. Here, you need to keep your goals in mind. Do you want a cozy little family and friends get-together, or do you want to get to know more people?
If it’s the former, then keep your guest list small and within your circle. On the other hand, if you want to build new relationships and expand your circle, you should invite people who you don’t know that well yet.
In this case, do not overdo anything. Do not invite all the outsiders from your group; just take it a few at a time. Take time for your dinner party planning.
If it’s a small party, then it is best to get the invites designed by your hand. You can also send out personalized handwritten notes to each person or family, adding something unique to appeal to that person or their family members. If it’s a large gathering, then you can send the RSVP invites designed professionally.
Choose a theme for your dinner party. Do you want it to feel formal and ‘black tie’ or more relaxed and casual? Of course, a lot depends on the occasion, so choose a theme that is suitable to the occasion.
For example, if it’s your son’s graduation party, you can add a more easygoing, colorful theme. If it’s a wedding anniversary, you could keep the decorations more formal and classic.
Set a dress code. Now, this is not absolutely essential, but it can add to the glamor and intrigue of the occasion if you assign a specific dress code. Having your guests dressed in a specific manner can also make things interesting at the party.
You can also have masks for your guests to put on if you’re going to have a dance. Who doesn’t love masquerade balls? Make them a part of your dinner party planning.
You can also have a karaoke system where people can sing their hearts out and add to the fun of the evening. Remember to keep things simple but spicy.
Curating the Perfect Menu
The starters should be selected very cautiously. They should be tasty and fit for the occasion but also be very healthy. If the dinner is more formal, you can go for caviar, oysters, vegetable gold coins, shrimp cocktails, and cheese mushroom balls. If it is more laidback, you can add chicken wings, bite-sized pizza slices, jalapeño poppers, and onion rings. Remember to serve the appropriate dips with every snack.
As part of your dinner party planning, have some interesting things to spice everything up. You can have a classical music concert, a jazz performance, or even a high-end magic performance.
Decide what drinks to serve at your party. Always remember to include a variety of wines so that they can be paired with almost every kind of food. With this in mind, you can stock up on different brands of white, red, and sparkling wines. This is especially important if you’re serving French cuisine at your party.
The dinner should ideally be served in five to seven courses. You can start off with light soups, served hot or cold. It can be followed with grilled fish or filet mignon, followed by ribs or roast lamb. But whatever you serve, make sure to have palate cleansers in between to freshen up those taste buds.
Fill your dessert bar up with the choice of items from the bakery and ice cream counters. From cheesecakes to brownie sizzlers, make sure to include as much variety as possible. You can also have strawberries dipped in chocolate to make things a bit different from the usual. In ice cream, make sure you serve chocolate and butterscotch—two of the most popular flavors.
Something you will need to remember is that not everyone drinks alcohol, so make sure to include non-alcoholic beverages such as juices and mocktails.
Similar to the above point, many people at your gathering would likely be vegetarian or vegan. It is best to ask them to specify their food preferences in the RSVP when you send out the invites. When you have all the information, plan the menu accordingly.
You can opt for a buffet or a serve-to-table. It is better to opt for the buffet, since that way people will have more freedom to move about and choose whatever they like.
Consider having a separate kid’s menu. Although not very important, having it can show your guests that you are a thoughtful individual.
Creating a Memorable Atmosphere
Throughout the party, try to tend to as many guests personally as possible. If you’re too busy, have a person at the door to personally welcome each person into the party. This is important so that every person feels seen and included in the celebrations. You need to make the experience enjoyable for everyone.
When the party ends, hand out small, tasteful party favors to each invitee. It can be something custom-made for each person if the gathering is small. Or, it can be something generic yet memorable, like a really exquisite wall hanging. Make sure it is something that will get people talking and gushing.
Last but not least, make sure to maintain a glamorous yet non-flashy vibe throughout the party. It should be lively and jovial, but not cringe or over-the-top. Maintain that fine balance.
Conclusion
Now that you have read all of these points, you are good to go. Have fun planning for your royal dinner party, and don’t forget to pick the best clothes out as the host!
Remember, dinner party planning is not just about showing off but also about love and the willingness to make your guests have a good time. For more tips and suggestions, contact us at DinnerTwine for exclusive supper & dinner clubs in Florida for unforgettable dining experiences and effortless event planning.
