TIPS TO HOSTING A GREAT COCKTAIL PARTY

Throwing a great cocktail party requires a lot of planning, enabling yours guests to enjoy themselves require an excellent host.  Here are some tips to help make your next cocktail party a memorable one:

SET THE MOOD

Stock the bar with a diversity of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and hors d’oeuvres or appetizers.  If necessary, re-arrange your space so that your guests don’t feel cramped – create comfortable seating areas that encourage conversation amongst your guests. Dimmed lighting or candles with fresh flowers create a pleasant atmosphere.

WELCOME YOUR GUESTS

Try to greet ALL of your guests at the door as they arrive.  Offer to take their coats and have a room/closet prepared to store coats during the party.  Tell them where you’re putting their coats, and any other belongings, so that they know where to look if needed.  Send them to the party area while to put their belongings away.

INTRODUCE PEOPLE

While you don’t have to twist some of your guests’ arm to mingle, others may not be as much of a social butterfly.  Because some people may already know each other, cliques can form and this can dampen the mood of the party- so as the host, be creative… Mix things up.  Find a couple of people and introduce them- bring up a topic that you know they are both interested in. Get the conversation rolling and move on to the next!

ENJOY YOUR PARTY!

Your energy and demeanor will set the tone of the party, so you must be pleasant and sociable from beginning to end.  If your guests see you tired and stresses, they may start to feel uncomfortable and depart early.  But if you’re relaxed and amusing, it’ll help loosen up the demeanor of your guests.  

THE ART OF EVENT CATERING

THE MENU

Food is pretty much an event’s “first impression”- what happens in the first few minutes will set the tone for the rest of the evening. Although what’s being served is important, how it looks is VERY important- we eat with our eyes first!  Key components to keep in mind are the color and texture, temperature, the type of plate you’re using, and even the garnish used to decorate the plate.  While it’s important to plan your menu around the theme of the event, it’s also imperative to balance the capabilities of the caterer with the facilities available.  A menu that may work for a intimate guest list of 20 will not necessarily be accommodating for a corporate event of 250.

MUSIC

Music controls the flow of energy at an event:  Soft, jazzy background music during cocktail hour & dinner and dance music for the party- so definitely have a playlist for the DJ! Volume is just as important as the type of music playing- while dining, you don’t want to have the music up so loud that you can't have a pleasant conversation with the guest sitting next to you or across the table.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

This is one of the most important components to a successful event, and one that’s often overlooked.  How your guests’ time is spent during the event is vital because you don’t want them looking at their watch wondering what’s next.  A successful event exhibits a flow that creates an experience for your guests- Beginning, Middle, and End:  Cocktail hour should last no more than 45 minutes to 1 hour, all courses of dinner should be served without delay, and the event should end at a climax where everyone is on the dance floor.

A++ SERVICE

The number of waiters is not the only factor that needs to be taken into consideration.  In addition to the sufficient number of waiters, thoroughly rationalizing the functions and responsibilities of the entire staff…. Who will handle food service, clearing, and wine service? Whether it’s your waiting staff, kitchen staff, or Maitre D’, everyone must know what’s expected of them at all times.

Plan A Fabulous Outdoor Event

Whether you’re throwing an intimate wedding in your backyard or an extravagant baby shower, you must take the following into consideration:

The Guest List:  Can the space accommodate the number of guests you are planning to invite?  Do you have the sufficient amount of restrooms, seating, and tables to comfortable accommodate your guests

Food Preparation:  Can the kitchen handle the demands of a catering staff? Do you have enough storage, counter space, equipment to prep the menu?

Electrical Needs:  If you plan to have live entertainment or special lighting, make sure you have the required electrical needs like a generator.

If you are planning your event at a beach or park, be prepared to provide everything, i.e tables, chairs, equipment, tents.  Remember, as this list grows, your costs will also.

Location!, Location!, Location!

Before you scout your next event venue, there are some vital factors to take into consideration to determine if this location will be a good fit for the event.

Budget

For the more restricted budget, you probably won’t be looking at the exclusive, five star hotels. Your event budget will be the anchor for all decisions being made here- even the day of the week or holiday weekend you choose to have your event will determine your budget…. Some venues require a food/beverage minimum of at least $8,000 on a Saturday to even reserve the space versus $4500 on a Friday or Sunday. So knowing your budget will save you time and eliminate the risk of financially over-extending yourself.

Guest List

Ok… this is a big one. The number of guests attending your event is a major factor that tends to get away from us when we’re planning… Your guest list will be a pre-determinant for the overall event budget; the more guests equals more money for a larger venue and ,consequently, food, centerpieces, etc, etc, etc!

Style & Theme of Event

Big and grand aren’t always the best choices… The more intimate events are better executed in smaller venue settings. If you’re hosting an event that is laid-back and les formal, you wouldn’t explore venues that are more appropriate and fitting for a black-tie affair for 200 guests. The same goes for outdoor settings: make sure the environment compliments the ambiance you want your guests to experience.

Cheers!

Choosing The Right Vendor, At The Right Time

Booking a vendor for your wedding is not as simple as looking up a category in The Knot or The Wedding Channel.  This stage of planning is very strategic and can make the difference in you having an impressionable experience versus having the most mortified time of your life.  There’s a level of priority to follow when it comes to choosing vendors for your special day.  If you book an event/wedding planner, he or she will extend their expertise on booking service providers that will, ultimately, save you time, stress, and even your insanity.  Here’s some ideas to remember when choosing your vendors:

Priority One Vendors
These vendors include Ceremony & Reception Location, Caterer (if not required to use the venue’s exclusive caterer), Entertainment, Photographer, and the Officiant.  If you have your eyes on one of the most popular venues in the city, then you definitely need to be flexible and have some back-up dates in mind. Also, this level of vendors  are “all or nothing” type vendors- their service offerings are typically blocked for the entire day, which means a hefty deposit is usually required at contract signing. Everything is pretty much contingent upon the location that is booked… so try to book that first, for all other vendor needs will rest on the location, date, and time.

Priority Two Vendors
Priority Two vendors include Florist, Baker, Hair Stylist/Makeup Artist, Videographer, Hotel .  These types of vendors are able to handle multiple events at a time and are not needed for the entire day.  There are plenty of great service providers at this level so it’s not as cut throat to get your first choice. When booking this vendor, be sure to explicitly state, in your contract, product/service choice and TIME of delivery.  Being thirty minutes behind schedule due to a vendor can be seen as a minor hiccup by a few, but many remember it for years to come.

Third Priority Vendors
Vendors like Event Rental, Lighting, and Transportation Companies come in a surplus. Their inventory is never-ending and can sometimes be available at a week’s notice, depending on the need.  Remember, transportation can be interchangeable between Priority Two and Three given the season- late spring/summer can be a pain with prom season and all the other weddings going on… so keep that in mind.

CHEERS!

Swatch Watch: Goth-Glam

I call this particular Swatch Watch "Goth Glam".... The deep, dark shades or reds and purples screams drama and even a level of warmth that is so appropriate for a winter wedding. This pallete paired with hints of metallic accents can only be described as sophistication and glam at its best.

CHEERS! 

Welcome...

Welcome To Sovereign Events' Blog!  This blog is a creative resource for those seeking inspiration, tips, and advice in event planning and at-home entertaining.  Whether you're perplexed about your decor, theme, or even your paper styling, this guide is here to help.  I will share my professional resources and experiences and hope that my insight will creatively inspire you into being a chic and swanky planner and hostess!

CHEERS!