Tips for Hosting a Successful Dinner Party

Let’s talk table settings… 

 For some of you, hosting a dinner party is nothing new and an exciting undertaking.

For others, dinner party hosting feels like an impossible task.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or first-timer, here are some helpful dinner party hosting tips that cover everything from dinner party table setting ideas to dinner table flowers. Happy entertaining!

The trick to determining a theme for a table settings is knowing the occasion.

Is it a casual get together with friends? A baby shower? Fall feast?

Centerpiece

Whatever the occasion, table settings at dinner parties should have a centerpiece. Themes could include seasonal, formal, industrial, flowery, etc. Dinner party centerpieces can range from a standout flower arrangement, to mix and match dishes, hanging bistro lights, or decorative table runners.

 Candles

When throwing a dinner party and considering what to include in your tablescapes, candles are a must. They add a warm ambiance that sets the mood for the dinner party. If you’re hosting a fancy dinner party, white or ivory tapers are considered the most appropriate.  For more casual, outdoor dinner parties, consider using votive candles.  Votive candles are nice because they are versatile. Votive candles can be placed in clusters and lined along the table, they burn longer and can be placed in mason jars or small glasses.

Simple Flower Arrangements
There are plenty of simple flower arrangements that you can do at home.  When throwing a dinner party, consider what flowers are in season.  A popular option when hosting a summer dinner party is doing a mason jar flower arrangement by buying flowers from the store and divvying them up in mason jars, vases or cans.  Make sure your flower arrangements are low enough so they don’t block eye contact between guests.

 Music Selection

Now that your dinner party table setting ideas are in order, it’s important to consider dinner party songs. I think adding background music to your dinner party makes it all come together. Consider making a dinner party music playlist before the event so it can play uninterrupted.

A general tip for dinner party music: Don’t make it too loud. Whether you’re hosting in a patio outside or in a living room, no one wants to shout over music. Have it add to the atmosphere, not overpower it.

If you don’t want to assemble your own playlist, Spotify or Pandora have a variety of dinner and cocktail party playlists already made. Having different playlists for each part of the evening is a nice touch. One playlist for when guests arrive, one for sitting down and eating, and one for post-dinner chatting and drinking.  My personal favorite is Brunch in Bed radio on Pandora.

If organizing the perfect dinner party feels overwhelming, there's only one thing left to do! Let Perfete take care of all the details while you focus on hosting your friends and family for your special event. No party is too small."

 

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