Dressing up a dinner party is perhaps my favorite thing about event curation! Sitting around a stunning table filled with laughter and friends is an evening I strive for. From the ease of a napkin knot, to the pour of wine in a glass, making sure your evening goes over without a hitch can be attested to a few simple things.
1. Keep the scape low - Be mindful of the scape you place between plates. Having a table of flowers is such a stunning sight, but nothing cuts conversation faster than guests sitting down and being cut in half by floral arrangements. I love playing with smaller candles to add texture, or having vases easy to remove before dinner begins.
2. Mix up the seating - I am privy to a seating chart, especially for smaller dinners, and love seating with intention. Knowing your guest list, take time to consider sitting couples separate but close enough to feel comfortable. Note if there are people who may have something unique in common or those you think could spark up genuine bonds.
3. Have water options - Such a simple yet classic touch is having crafts of still water and bottles of sparkling set on the table to guests don't ever have to wait for a refilled glass.
4. Bring questions to the table - Especially for a group of people who may not know one another as well, I love having a few open ended questions ready to go. Start your dinner with a toast and end it with a question the table can splinter away into, or have a few made up onto menu cards at each place setting for guests to partake in at their leisure.
5. Have a bite ready to go - Always start the meal with a bite on their plates. Having appetizers before the dinner begins is a great way to bring guests into a night of memories, but even more so having a starter or rolls or salad, even an amuse bouche at each place setting helps transition into the meal and keep everyone satisfied while waiting for the first course or to begin serving themselves.
I hope these simple tips help make your next dinner be one dawned with love and beautiful memories.