Weekend Edits
Feb 18, 2025
The insider tips that can turn your gathering into THE event of the season.
Real talk: Entertaining a group of guests is never without well-thought-out effort. Our goal is to simplify the process while making your dinner party experience a complete and utter success.
Regardless of how formal or informal you want your dinner to be, there are certain steps to take in advance that will make your plan flow much easier, allowing time for you to actually spend with your guests. The major key is planning ahead to ensure you are extremely organized by the time your guests arrive and beyond.
We’re here with dinner party tips and tricks everyone in their hosting era should know.
Start Your Planning With a List of Bullet Points
We are huge fans of making lists. It’s a great way to ensure you don’t miss a beat when it comes to incorporating ideas you love, elements you need to pick up, and simply getting s**t done! It’s also helpful to break your list out into sections (food/table items/housekeeping items to get done day-of, and so on).
It’s Decision Time
First and foremost, you need to decide on the five W’s: who, what, where, why, and when.
Who are you inviting?
What are you inviting your guests to—a boozy brunch, girl dinner, or cocktails and dessert?
Where will it be? (Assuming it’s your house, is it inside? On the patio?)
Why: Is there a purpose or theme, such as a special occasion or murder mystery game night?
When: the date and time.
Next, consider if you want to extend the invitation with a phone call, text, creative E-vite, or notecard. We prefer a text or E-vite, so all of the pertinent details are provided for easy reference. It’s also a great way to suggest bringing slippers, a group game, or anything else you’d like your guests to plan on.
None of this is meant to be overly formal or rigid; it’s to help you stay on task, and everybody loves to receive a fun invitation. It gives your event dignity and creates a buzz.
You’re going to put a lot of work into this, and your gathering deserves respect. So have fun with it!
Responding to the Million-Dollar Question: “What Can We Bring?”
If asked “What can we bring?” a great response is, “Just yourselves!” or, “Bring your favorite wine!”
Unless you’re hosting a potluck supper, do you really want to burden your guest with the responsibility of one of the main elements of your dinner? What if they forget to bring it, substitute it with something else, or don’t make enough? And dreadfully, what if it’s a disastrous addition?
The “main working parts” you are serving for the night should be your own task, whether you prepare them yourself or order them. It’s your invitation, so own it like a pro.
Successful Hosting Is All in the Beforehand Prep Work
The better you prepare in advance, the more seamless your event will flow, allowing you more time to genuinely enjoy with your guests.
The number of guests you invite may help you determine what will work well with your room and table size, and whether a plated, buffet, or family-style dinner will work best. Note that a buffet will require an empty counter or server surface at the ready, and you will have guests up and around. A plated dinner has everyone seated, sometimes proving to be helpful in a smaller area.
An informal buffet will have you deciding where everyone will be seated. Make any necessary adjustments to furniture in advance, being mindful of before dinner appetizers and after dinner entertaining space where your crew can spread out. You’ll want to avoid moving a couch last-minute only to find uninvited dust bunnies—or having to pull folding chairs out of the basement for extra seating.
For table seating, consider making some creative place cards—not for a stuffy vibe—but rather to facilitate an overall good flow of conversation, as well as a great way to separate people who don’t get along very well. Spread out your guests who are often dubbed “the life of the party” to make sure everyone around your table feels included.
What’s for Dinner?
It’s important to make yourself aware of any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or strict preferences (gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.) before planning a menu. To find out, a simple request on your invitation works! It’s much easier to plan one solid menu rather than scrambling with too many options.
It’s always a great idea to serve cocktails and light appetizers when guests arrive, and take your time with that part of the evening. Because, let's be honest: The cocktail hour is at times the best part!
Serve appetizers that blend seamlessly with your dinner menu without competing. Choose something that’s just enough to accompany wine and/or cocktails, but nothing too filling.
For dinner, a salad that complements your menu theme is always an excellent starter. It’s a super nice touch to warm dinner rolls—or even bake a loaf of fresh bread—served alongside softened butter and/or seasoned extra-virgin olive oil. Be sure to have all accoutrements on each end of a large table, along with bread baskets and salt and pepper shakers. One protein and starch—or a pasta dish—is a great idea for your main meal.
Some dishes are just perfect for entertaining, as they can be prepared in advance and you won’t be doing too much last-minute tasks while your company is seated. A breaded chicken cutlet Milanese or veggie lasagna are perfect examples. If there’s a sauce involved (as there would be with a lasagna), have small pitchers with extra sauce ready for each end of the table.
As far as dessert is concerned, finger treats are our favorite. This avoids the need for cake servers and silverware. We prefer serving dessert buffet-style, and having two or more delicious items, and they don’t have to be homemade or fancy. After all, even brownies and chocolate chip cookies look special on a pedestal! You can always add a bowl full of wrapped truffles or even chocolate kisses. A dessert buffet looks decedent and gives everyone a choice.
Another simple trick? Neutral disposable “to-go” cups set up at a coffee station, along with whipped cream, liquors, cinnamon sticks, and chocolate stirrers are always a huge hit. Other yummy additions are mulled cider and hot chocolate.
Miscellaneous Details for Your “To Do in Advance” List
Choose a music playlist in advance, along with candles and just the right lighting.
Have enough wine on hand to match the meal, vibes, and crowd.
Water glass at each place setting along with a pitcher of water with sliced lemons or oranges is a must. You can also splurge on pretty bottles of water for an added touch.
Consider a seasonal table setting. Setting your table is something that can be done the day before! A little extra fun on this point goes a long way to really set the stage for your event. Plate chargers and napkin rings really dress up an otherwise mundane table.
Coordinate a simple floral centerpiece. Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have great bouquets that just need to be put in a vase. Just make sure your flowers aren’t too tall; you want everyone to be able to see one another and not compete with your overall table design.
Start your night with an empty dishwasher as well as empty garbage cans. (You will thank us for this tip over and over again!)
Replace your toilet paper and paper towel holder with full rolls.
Set up a bar area on a counter or server, complete with an ice bucket, and any items needed for what you are serving (wine, wine glass charms, wine bottle opener, the right glassware, lemons, limes, etc.) This is also a good spot to put extra water bottles or a pitcher of water as well.
Your front hall closet should have room to accommodate any jackets, and it should have enough empty hangers. If you are tight for space, a portable clothes rack can be a beloved purchase.
Plan for inclement weather. Decide whether you want your guest to take their shoes off. Do you have the right type of rug in front of the front door? A spot for umbrellas?
Have all platters, serving utensils, salt and pepper shakers, pitchers, hot plates, etc. at the ready to avoid last-minute searching for necessities
Give thought to your after-dinner plan. Where will you sit? If you plan to enjoy a fireplace, have it set up and ready to go. Do you have a fun group game? Is it easier to stay seated at the table?
Relax and have fun! You’ve totally got this!