http://www.eventmarquees.com.au/blog/2014/5-easy-steps-to-hosting-the-perfect-dinner-party

5 Easy Steps to Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party

Hosting the perfect dinner party is always loads of fun, but once you’ve made the initialdecision to host one, it can sometimes become a little daunting remembering all thepreparations you need to make.

At Event Marquees, we feel that we have the top 5 tips for you to really help you cover all theareas for the perfect dinner party.

1. Who and Where?

Who to invite is always a good starting place. The number of guests defines most of yourdecisions from the space you choose to dine in, to what food you prepare and whether youown enough cutlery and dinnerware (for those of you throwing a big event!)

The space you dine in will depend on your guest numbers and also the weather. In Oz, we arelucky enough to enjoy some of the best weather in the world but even we know it can turnquite quickly and we need to have a back-up plan. Event Marquees provides lots of smallmarquees for dinner parties to provide a stylish yet protective canapé. Whether indoors orout, make sure you have enough room for everyone to feel they have room to move and berelaxed.

http://www.eventmarquees.com.au/blog/2014/5-easy-steps-to-hosting-the-perfect-dinner-party

2. Theme and Decorations

Deciding on a theme or style for your perfect dinner party isalways good to do early on as it gives you and your guests achance to really work out an outfit, and you a chance to getyour vision for the evening. Whether you’re planning afancy-dress idea or a simple elegant occasion, decide onyour decorations in time to make, buy or hire the necessarythings ie Flowers, candles, outdoor lights, table cloths,balloons, ribbons etc. Maybe make a seating plan or putnames-cards on the table.

Think of any special touches that will make the eveningmemorable and classed as the most perfect dinner party ever!

3. Cutlery and Dinning Ware

It might sound obvious, but having the right number of (matching?) cutlery and dinningplates for your evening is always important. If you are going for a multiple-course meal, thenmake sure you don’t need to frantically wash up after each course! Remember, the evening isfor you to enjoy as much as your guests. Maybe make a seating plan or put place names onthe table.

4. Food and Drink

Choosing your menu is probably the biggest challenge. Remember to consider any foodallergies your guests may have. Work out whether you’d rather have the food pretty much100% prepared before your guests arrive giving you a chance to host, rather than being stuckin the kitchen. Do you want canapés and cocktails on arrival? If you have a theme for theevening, can you incorporate it into your food choices? Stock up on beer and wine. Youknow your guests, what do they usually like to drink? How many courses do you want toserve? Will you have cheese at the end of the meal?

Once you’ve answered all these questions, write out a cooking and preparation schedule toavoid anything being forgotten at your perfect dinner party! Another option is to get someonein to do the catering for you. If you are hiring a marquee and furniture from Event Marquees,how about asking us for some advice about the caterers we can highly recommend?

http://www.eventmarquees.com.au/blog/2014/5-easy-steps-to-hosting-the-perfect-dinner-party

5. Entertainment and Enjoy!

So finally, decide on your entertainment. Choose some CDs, make a playlist forbackground music, or book some live musicians – it depends on your budget! Decide on anyother forms of entertainment you want to arrange for your guests….fireworks, sparklers,maybe karaoke!

The main thing is to be relaxed and enjoy yourself – leave the clearing up until your visitorshave left so that the evening feels stress-free and is remembered by everyone as having beenthe perfect dinner party.