Hosting can feel like such a big feat. So many details and things to produce for each event. Will I have enough food? Will everyone connect with someone they don't know? How do I actually enjoy the party with so many things going on around me?
While my goal with Lived X Leigh is to help eliminate all those stressors by curating a stunning and smooth environment, I do understand that even on smaller scales these pains feel just as real.
So while you might still have a few of those butterflies fluttering around, here are some of my ins and outs to help make your next dinner party or at home birthday celebration feel a touch more elevated:
My Event Hosting Ins
- Having a welcome drink set out for guests to enjoy right away. This helps give guests something to focus on right away and opens the up for an eased entrance.
- Making a spectacle of the food display. If you aren't doing a seated dinner make your food display something to look at. Add draping and levels, vintage trays and serving utensils.
- Providing a game or activity for guests. This can be as simple as corn hole set up in the back yard. Making sure guests have something they can join together in is great for curating conversation.
- Having extras readily available so you aren't bogged down with running around the entire time.
- Concluding the event in a tasteful way. Offer guests a final drink or dessert to give structure to the parties end.
My Event Hosting Outs
- Spending days breaking your back to clean baseboards and other nooks in your home. If it were up to me I would add into everyones budget a cleaning service post event for your sake, and leave the pre event cleaning to common areas like bathrooms and floors.
- Fighting with decor that doesn't belong. While I love the impact of a balloon arch, having items like that outside in summer months just cause distraction when balloons pop. Really consider your surrounding elements and pull from decor that fits.
- Waiting to serve food. If you have displayed items I strongly encourage them being ready to eat the moment guests arrive. Or at least have something for party goers to snack on immediately.
- Branded party favors. I am a huge fan of a take away from a party, but making sure it is something timeless and reusable to your guests is an added touch.
- Leaving too much to the last minute. This to me is the biggest hold up for host having a good time at their event. We want the food to be warm, the drinks cold, and thee flowers fresh. Plan a menu that helps eliminate some of that stress, have a cooler of ice set next to the drinks, and know that fresh flowers almost always lasts at least 4 days. Give yourself time for set up so you can truly enjoy the party you have curated!
I hope these notions help in planning and executing your next event! May you have the chance to slow down, look around, and see that the biggest part of planning a party is getting to enjoy your loved ones all at once.