Holding a dinner party for six, cocktails for 40, or a party for every Tom, Dick and Jane? How do you pull off a successful event each time? Party-etiquette guru Donna Bosomworth – owner of Sydney party and stationery store le bonbon, shows how.
Donna’s top tips for party hosting
Donna says there are seven factors to get right. Follow them in this order:
Who’s who? The guest list will determine everything else – the invites, venue and theme.
● When planning a dinner party, match up potentials, don’t mix exes, match interests and mix sexes. The smaller the group, the more important the dynamics.
● Cocktail parties work best when everyone knows everyone or no-one knows anyone. If one guest knows no-one (except you), make them a +1.
Your place or mine?
●Host your dinner party at home, but if you have a small budget, a restaurant is a good alternative. However, allow guests to see the costs beforehand.
● If your home is small, a stand-up cocktail party for eight with buffet-style food is better than squeezing everyone around a dinner table.
● Prefer a swish bar? Offer an open bar tab, at least for a little while, or canapes.
Your invitations. These set the tone for the entire event.
● Mail-out invitations are a must for significant dos. They show that, like you, this party is special enough to go to the extra time and effort.
● Send the right invitation style: chic ‘fill-ins’ are best for showers, birthdays, dinners, cocktail parties and casual Christmas events; custom-designed are for making a statement - significant birthdays, Christenings, anniversaries, glam Christmas parties and engagements; and imprintables are a personalised option for a bit less spend (these are designed to run through a printer – do it yourself or have a specialist store like le bonbon do it for you).
● Most people’s diaries are full, so get the invites out at least six weeks before the event, especially if it’s a weekend. RSVPs should be at least one week before.
Food.
● Make sure you’re not spending time in the kitchen. Keep food simple, and use your fuss-free oven for cooking, especially if your home is open plan (less mess!)
● Food – even nibblies – are a must at cocktail parties, too. You don’t want guests leaving early looking for the closest Thai takeaway!
Decorating.
Make sure your venue looks just as good as an exquisitely fab frock.
● Harsh downlights are the party equivalent of Paris Hilton – brash, shiny and way too overexposed. You really think Cinderella found her prince under a fluoro? Dim the lights, or use lamps or votive candles.
● Flowers are simple yet instantly transform a room. At the flower markets, you can buy a lot for very little.
● Create corners for sexy secrets and flirtatious mingling – but leave space for people to move through.
The event.
● Greet guests at the door and put a drink in their palm pronto.
● Encourage your guests to mingle buy introducing them with an interest they share.
● Pre-plan simple tasks for friends to help you out, but never ask them to contribute money – you’re not that type of girl!
Visit www.lebonbon.com.au
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