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.