Hosting a dinner party is not for the faint-hearted. It is a time-honoured tradition with a series of surrounding etiquette rules and customs that need to be adhered to in order to achieve success. When done well, it can be an exquisite evening where new friends are made, new flavours are discovered and the world is set to rights. If you are looking for some guidance on throwing your next dinner party (or even your first) here are some simple yet effective etiquette rules to follow.
Plan a menu to suit your guests
It might be your house, but you are playing the role of gracious host so you need to make sure that your guests will feel comfortable at all times; and that starts with the food. Make sure to be aware of any culinary preferences or issues, including allergies, and do your best to ensure that there is enough for everyone to eat. If you don’t know, ask your guests in advance to let you know. Side note for guests – if you do have specific intolerances, allergies or dietary requirements it is the height of rudeness not to update your host beforehand and/or offer to provide assistance if they are very complicated or serious.
Have a seating plan
Don’t let the idea of a seating plan send you into a tailspin with mind-bending wedding flashbacks. It is easier than you think and can be vital to creating the right atmosphere. Tradition dictates that couples do not sit next to each other and that the most important guests sit to the left of the hosts who will be at opposite ends. Next, it is your job to think about how specific guests will mix and seat those together who you think will get on or have a lot to talk about. If you have a friend attending who can always be relied upon to keep the conversation flowing, seat them in the middle of the table so they can ‘perform’ if you are called to the kitchen.
Setting the table
Your table should reflect your menu and match with the theme of the evening. Make sure you have enough cutlery for each course and enough wine glasses to pair with each part of the meal, and don’t forget the water glasses. If you are adding a centrepiece, check sight lines and make sure it won’t be obstructive during the meal. For a simple and elegant evening supper, opt for water bowls with floating candles surrounded by reflective stars, they will flicker throughout and add a beautiful ambience from canapés to coffee.
Consider your timings
Whilst caterers can be a wonderful help when hosting, sometimes it is far more pleasurable to test your culinary abilities and add some wow factor to the evening. If you are cooking, make sure to think about how long each course could take, in preparation and plating. You do not want to spend the whole evening in the kitchen, so consider adding easy to grab courses that can be pre-prepared if necessary or ensuring that you get as much done in advance as possible, before your guests arrive.
Hone your hosting skills
The most revered hosts know that their job is about much more than the venue and menu. It is the little touches that will make all the difference. Your role is to make your guests feel welcome, comfortable and at ease, from start to finish. Make sure they get a drink as soon as they arrive and have snack bowls in easy reach for anyone who might be peckish, so they aren’t embarrassed about rumbling tummies having come straight from the office. Don’t disappear for too long, especially if your guests are unfamiliar with each other. Keep one eye on each attendee to make sure they feel engaged and involved, and be ready with a flattering titbit or question to draw them into the conversation or to help them connect with a fellow guest.
