Entertaining Experts Share Their Top Tips For Throwing a Fab Dinner Party (2024)

If you're planning to host a dinner party soon but need a bit of a refresher on how to throw the best get-together possible, you won't want to miss out on these expert tips. Below, entertaining pros share their guidance for creating beautiful tablescapes, deciding upon a drink menu, and much more.

Plan Ahead of Time

Give yourself more than enough time to plan your party. This way, it'll feel less stressful during the actual function since you have everything organized ahead of time.

"Outsource your least favorite tasks and front load as much as possible, so when guests arrive, you are relaxed and ready to enjoy them," suggests Dana Lewis, the founder of Proper Table.

For example, if you're not much of a baker, consider picking up dessert from a local pastry shop to make things easier on yourself the day of the party.

Go With a Theme

If you wish, give your dinner party a theme—this may actually make the prep process go more smoothly, Lewis notes.

"A theme is a simple way to set a festive tone and makes it easier to plan a menu, flowers, and attire." Coastal Italian is one of Lewis's favorite themes, which she says is always a crowd pleaser.

"Line your table with overflowing bowls of citrus, plants in terracotta pots, tons of votives, and arrange a Spritz bar," she suggests.

Mix and Match Your Dinnerware

Although you may be pulling out your best flatware or silverware set, don't feel as though all of your tabletop items need to be part of a matching set in order for your tablescape to shine.

"Flex your creativitybymixingand matchingnewdinnerwarepieces with ones you already own," suggests Victoria Rogulska, head of marketing at Villeroy & Boch.

Lewis agrees. "Mixing china is a creative and practical option if your numbers are greater than the plates you have in any one pattern," she says.

If you wish to shop for some new pieces to accommodate an expanding guest list, it's more than okay to embrace a new pattern or colorway.

"Don't be afraid to let your personal style shine throughwith the table setting," Rogulska adds, who is a proponent of pairing pinks, blacks, golds, or blues with classic porcelain to bring a modern touch.

Design a Memorable Tablescape

Once you've acquired all of your entertaining essentials, it's time to focus on creating a memorable tablescape—and you can begin setting yours up a day or two before the party.

Layering is the name of the game here, Rogulska notes. "Layerchargers, dinner plates, andbowlsthat are preppedwithwrapped cloth napkins, colorful glassware,and statement flatware," she suggests.

And to top things off, look to nature. "Addfresh elements, such as florals in tall vasesor candles in hurricane vases, toadd dimension to your tablescape," Rogulska advises.

Plastic placemats are a practical touch that Lewis swears by when setting the table; she uses the linen-printed acrylic ones that she sells in her store.

"Eliminating worries about staining precious linens or tackling post-party piles of laundry ensures a happy host, which is the true secret to a memorable event!"

Additionally, don't forget to set the mood with candles—MashamaBailey, a chef and co-founder of The Grey Restaurant and The Grey Market, likes to have various candle and candlestick options on hand when she entertains.

Prepare the Bar

Rather than setting out a wide variety of beverages to serve, consider playing favorites.

"Planning a signature co*cktail for the evening is a simple way to make any rendezvous feel like a party," Lewis says.

Check your bar cart to ensure that you have all of the necessary ingredients on hand, and if not, make a shopping list of what you'll need to buy ahead of time.

Think of Your Menu

Rather than making your guests wait for the main event, prepare an appetizer that they can enjoy from the moment they step through the front door—note that what you serve doesn't have to be overly complicated.

"I love a snack thing that people can eat before they actually sit down," Bailey says.

Get creative with what ingredients you want to use and check what's in season. When Bailey entertains, she varies her main course depending on the season and setting.

"If I'm cooking out in the backyard, then we'll grill some ribs," she says. "In the wintertime, I'll do a braise or a stew." Fish is an excellent choice for fall or summer, the chef adds

Perfect Your Playlist

It isn't a party without some tunes—but don't leave your playlist curation to the last minute.

"I can’t tell you how many times I've set the most magical table, spent hours preparing a meal, and then scrambled as the doorbell rings to find the appropriate mood-setting music," Lewis says.

Spend some time putting together a few options, or best of all, one long playlist.

"The ultimate pre-party organization is creating a playlist that runs all night from pre-party prep through late night...keeping cadence with the energy of the party," Lewis explains.