Hosting a dinner party, lunch, brunch, or a drinks party is much more than cooking and decorating. From the dreamy tablescape to the perfect food and wine pairing, and those special finishing touches, hosting is an acquired art form. Channel your inner ‘events planner’ by implementing some must-know entertaining tips at your next party.
It begins with the smallest of details. You want your home to be welcoming and inviting. And no matter the season to be ready for drop-by guests and planned drinks or supper guests. And the key is to keep it simple and add a few little luxuries along the way.
THE PLANNING NOTES
Even a simple backyard drinks moment benefits from a timeline. A timeline is a great way to make sure you stay on track with your preparation. Your timeline should stop before your guests arrive – giving you time to get ready to welcome them to your home.
Make a list of what you will need and what you can make ahead of time. Look at what you might already have in your pantry, cabinets, and storage spaces. This will not only save you time but also money!
THE FASHION NOTES
Reflect your own personal fashion style that can easily transition from a late afternoon affair to the evening. When you are hosting a party or get-together you will not have time to worry about your wardrobe. So, style yourself ahead of time and look to something simple but chic. Timeless elegance never goes out of style – no matter the season.
Well-tailored black pants, a bespoke silk or cotton shirt, and classic pumps or flats can be paired with accessories for an effortless day-to-night look. Or turn to an elegant jump suit for a pulled together styling moment.
The Style Notes: Never wear new shoes to a party – as a host or guest. Or shoes that are too high, especially if it is a garden affair. For evening garden parties in the spring and summer a midi-dress or skirt that floats a little is perfect. For beautiful floaty floral dresses discover the collection by Camilla.
THE FLORAL NOTES
Welcome visitors into your home by displaying arrangements of fresh flowers. Flowers are the perfect accessory for any room or table, and the arrangements do not have to be large, or expensive. If you have seasonal blooms from your garden, these simply arranged in a beautiful vase can direct the table styling. Bringing the outdoors inside is a very easy step. And you do not have to be a florist. I tend to keep my flower colours simple and my go-to blooms for summer are white hydrangeas that are displayed in a simple glass vase.
My favourite flower colours are blue and white or light lemon and white. Favourites are peonies, roses, hydrangeas, orchids and quince branches. I also like to use simple carnations, though these are thought to be old fashioned, they can create a stunning arrangement with the simplest of work. There’s nothing more beautiful than fresh flowers; they add a personal touch to any room or tablescape.
The Flower Notes: Prepare and arrange the flowers the day before. Remember it is important that guests can see each other across a table, or if they are seated in a sofa or chair. So when you have placed your arrangements take a seat and check your work. Aerin Lauder’s says of fresh flowers – ‘I think that anything fresh on the table immediately creates a beautiful mood. And it could be one beautiful flower – it doesn’t always have to be about a ton of flowers. It’s just something living.’
THE ROOM NOTES
Let the season dictate the feeling of an event. Summer is about spending time outdoors and taking inspiration from nature and the beach – it could be shells, flowers or the ocean. An item that is fresh and natural creates a beautiful mood. If you are thinking of something casual keep the food uncomplicated, but than add elegance though beautiful napery, glasses and flatware.
For cooler months a fire speaks warmth and charm when entering a room. Greet your guests with a special drink. And set the mood with special music that is carefully selected. French jazz, classical, or acoustic chansons are great choices. The key is to let the music be subtle, complementing the conversation rather than dominating it.
A drinks party is not as formal as a dinner and does not require a seating plan. But you do need to consider your seating arrangements. Not everyone can stand up for a couple of hours. Sofas, chairs and tables need to be arranged to allow guests to easily navigate a room or outside space. Creating more intimate spaces offers guests alternatives to conversational styles. You can always rearrange your room again once your guests have left.
Turn the lights down just enough to create a charming approach. Set candles or lamps on the bar or food tables so those area are brighter for serving. If you are including scented candles in your room styling select a scent that is not overpowering and reflects the season. Leave a light on in the guest bathroom.
The Room Notes: For your next soiree La Casa Homewares offers a bespoke hire service for customers to make all of your tableware planning detail simpler, especially if you are hosting a larger gathering.
THE FOOD NOTES
Firstly, decide what direction your drinks party will take. Do you want to host an apéritif party with spritzers and negronis, or are you looking to a sangria bar with wine and champagne?
I love Ina Garten’s view on hosting a drinks party. The Barefoot Contessa wrote, “Cocktail parties are fun but they can be overwhelming to organise – how many hors d’oeuvres should you make? And how to serve them? What kinds of spirits and mixers do you need?” Ina’s approach to creating a self-serve bar allows the guest never to be without a drink and for the host to be free to host. Ina says, “I serve 5 appetisers, so it feels a little like a meal – some fish, some meat, some cheese, some vegetables – plus a little sweet like chocolate truffles and coffee at the end.” This style allows you to be creative and can be changed depending on the season.
The Food Notes: Jane Webster, author of At My French Table, says of entertaining – ‘I always try to plan a menu that can be started a couple of days in advance. I have dishes that are prepared in advance so I can be with my guests.’ Look to foods that you can make ahead to free up time and effort on the day. For ease of serving prepare a themed buffet-style grazing station. This way you can engage more with your guests.
A TRAY MOMENT
A styled tray is something that is quick to pull together with the greatest of ease. Stylish glasses and bowls that brim with specialty salted nuts, sweets and nibbles, savoury snacks, and handmade potato chips. A styled tray is a must-have – for both impromptu gatherings, a drinks party or a more formal affair. Trays are wonderful for when entertaining outside. They allow you to stylishly bring food and drinks to the table.
The Tray Notes: Consider filling beautiful golden bowls with gourmet potato crisps, home roasted mixed nuts and Italian bread sticks that can easily be placed around the room. These can be styled on a small beautiful tray, which includes cocktail napkins and cocktail plates and small serving spoons. Some favourite style moments with: Tray Moments by Pepperwhites; Luxury Napery by Blanche Rose; Glassware by The French Knot.
CURATE YOUR BAR
Consider your bar location and setup. Everything looks better elevated to create a unique bar style. Not only do you create impact it allows your guests to find things easily. When it comes to glassware you do not need multi types. Instead have a series of three different styles each presented on a tray. You can stock up on inexpensive glasses that can be replaced if broken. If you are using ice buckets keep replacing the ice during the evening and ensure there are tongs for each bucket. Wine bottles should always have a scarf or cloth napkin wrapped around them to keep them from dripping all over the place. Your bar area can also reflect your personal style by adding different pieces you have collected over the years with some new seasonal pieces.
The Drinks Notes: If you are worried about guests not being able to mix a cocktail, then don’t be. Create some elegant drinks cards with simple drinks recipes they can follow. You can also consider featuring a signature cocktail that can be made ahead of time – an Old Fashion, Margarita or Negroni. When it comes to champagne, the host should always do the serving – not everyone is an expert when it comes to popping the cork. And do not forget the guests who prefer something non-alcoholic or light. For beautiful bar styling look to Aerin accessories to add a little touch of luxury to your evening.
SAYING GOODNIGHT
And at the end of the evening, you can pass a tray of mineral water around to guests to signal that the evening is drawing to a close. Offer a selection of digestifs. These are small servings of liqueurs like Cognac, Armagnac, or Chartreuse that aid digestion and help guests unwind after food. Pair these with a few smaller sweet treats, like macarons, madeleines, or chocolates and coffee.
From my earliest memories of my own birthday parties my mother always had a gift for each guest. This I have taken into my adult life. It can be something as simple as a bespoke box of chocolates, or a simple travel size fragrance. One gift that is perfect for many guests is a beautiful notebook or journal – that could each contain a special note or quote for each guest. So that each guest feels special finish each gift with a small, elegant card that forms part of the wrapping style.
The Host Gifting Notes: For a drinks party I would gift each guest as they leave making it more personal. And it allows you to thank them for spending time with you. Look to Bespoke Letterpress for elegant Journals; or treat your guests to a Cristal Candle from Blanche Rose.
BOOKS TO LOVE
Beautiful home styling and cooking books are like fragrances – you can never have too many. Here are some from my collection that may inspire you along the way.
Entertaining Beautifully by Aerin Lauder; Make It Ahead by Ina Garten; At My French Table by Jane Webster; Grazing by Country Style Magazine; Instant Entertaining by Donna Hay.
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