Dinner parties are no walk in the park, as they require meticulous planning and strong attention to detail. Here are a few tips to help get you started in your dinner party plans.
Set a Budget
Before beginning the planning process, it’s important to determine what is financially feasible for you. First, decide how many individuals will be in attendance and the amount you think you should spend per person. Then, consider any additional costs, including alcohol, place settings, extra seating, etc. Finally, come up with a rough estimate of a budget you’d like to adhere to, and stick as closely to that number as possible.
Determine Your Courses
Once you’ve determined your budget, the number of guests, and any time restraints, you can begin planning the number of courses. Will you be serving appetizers, a main course, and dessert? Will you be adding a cocktail hour? Are there any additional events you’d like to include? Giving your dinner party a rough timeline is a great way to help with the planning process.
Consider Dietary Information
As you begin planning the food that will be served at your dinner party, keep in mind any dietary restrictions your guests may have. Consider any allergies, religious observances, food aversions (i.e., spicy foods), or picky individuals. While you don’t need to limit yourself here, you should keep this in mind when planning your menu to make everyone in your group feel welcome.
Build a Detailed Menu
Once you’ve considered all of the above, it’s time to build your menu. A detailed menu not only gives you insight into every portion of the meal but also allows you to prepare your grocery list so that nothing is left behind. This is the stage where some things may change. For instance, your budget may not allow for both appetizers and desserts, or you may need to swap one to better pair with your main course. Whatever the reason, this stage requires some flexibility.
Plan the Preparation
Lastly, it’s important to plan the preparation of your meal. Determine what can be prepared in advance and what you will need to prepare the day of the event – and how much time it will take for everything to get done. Make sure you have all the ingredients and resources (pots, pans, and other utensils) you need in advance so there won’t be any last-minute scrambling. Most guests prefer to mingle with their host, so if you’re tucked away in the kitchen the whole time, you won’t get to enjoy the celebration.
Planning a dinner party can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these steps in your planning process so that your event can go off without a hitch!