How to Host a Dinner Party: Our Step-by-Step Guide
Simple steps for hosting a successful dinner party.
Knowing how to host a dinner party comes down to thoughtful planning and timely preparation. Our guide breaks down all of the tasks you'll need to complete so that hosting a dinner party feels effortless. From creating a menu to setting up your mise en place to picking the right playlist, we've included a timeline for planning a dinner party as well as easy dinner party tips that'll make your evening go smoothly.
Two Weeks Before
One Week Before
One or Two Days Before
The Day of the Dinner Party
Quick Dos & Don't for Hosting a Dinner Party
Two Weeks Before
When planning a dinner party, it's best to start thinking about the details early.
Make a Plan
The easiest way to ensure your dinner party goes smoothly is planning, and planning early. Start by selecting a date, compiling your guest list, making sure there's space for your dinner party, and checking your cabinets to see if you have enough dinnerware for everyone.
Settle on a Theme
Dinner parties are the perfect opportunity to lean into a theme. Of course a good dinner party doesn't require a theme, it can be a fun way to set the tone. From costumes to recipes to decor, there are endless ways you can incorporate a theme and turn the evening into a memorable one.
Send Invitations
Whether you prefer calling, sending paper invitations in the mail, or casually inviting someone during conversation, try to invite your guests early so they have ample time to respond.
One Week Before
The week before your dinner party is when you'll really start putting the pieces together.
Check RSVPs
Check in with the guests to see who is coming and who can't make it. This is also a great time to delegate any dishes guests should bring or which dietary restrictions you'll need to consider while building the menu. Air on the side of caution when asking guests to bring things – you don't want to be left without an essential like ice.
Create the Menu
When deciding on what to serve, think about easy, crowd-pleasing recipes that you're confident you can prepare. Steer clear of recipes that could feel overwhelming or could go haywire on the day of your dinner party (unless you don't mind ordering last-minute takeout). Calculate how many servings you'll need and don't be afraid to make too much food. It's always better to have leftovers to send home with guests or to save for lunch than to leave someone hungry.
Try not to fret too much about dietary restrictions – just make sure there is something for everyone rather than an individual meal for each person.
Pick Up Decor
The week before the dinner party is an excellent time to shop for table decor, such as candles, vases, or table linens. Cloth tablecloths or cloth napkins are a great way to soften the table and impress your dinner guests. Save flowers for closer to the day of so that they are fresh.
From going to the grocery store to cleaning the bathroom, the few days before hosting a dinner party are for preparing as much as you can.
Make a List & Do Your Shopping
After you've compiled the recipes you're planning on preparing, make a list of all the ingredients you'll need. Segment your shopping list by stores you'll need to go to or trips you're taking to minimize the chance you'll forget a key ingredient.
You'll also want to pick up any beverages or ingredients you'll need to make your own beverages. Remember to fill your ice trays or grab a bag of ice from the store.
Clean the House
Clean all of the spaces where your guests will gather together, focusing primarily on the dining room, living room, and bathroom. We recommend sweeping, but not mopping – guests might spill or keep their shoes on, so mopping is best left for post-party cleanup.
Prep as Much as You Can
The key to hosting dinner parties is streamlining the cooking process. Many dishes can be prepped ahead, stored in the refrigerator for a day or two, and finished in the oven right before you plan on serving dinner. For other recipes, look for elements that you can prep ahead, such as a salad dressing, a sauce, or a dessert, to lessen your load.
The day of the dinner party is reserved for cooking and completing any final touches. Try to set a timeline for the day so that you'll know which recipes need to be prepared in which order and to make sure you'll have a bit of time to get yourself ready for the party.
Set the Table
Setting the table is a great way to prepare for your dinner party without worrying about getting the right timing. Though your tablescape doesn't need to be elaborate, there are a few ways to dress up the dining table. A set of tapered candles is inexpensive, but perfect for enhancing the atmosphere. Likewise goes for a bouquet of fresh flowers, handwritten place cards, or a copy of the menu.
Finish Preparing Your Meal
Prepare any last dishes that need to be made on the day of the dinner party, and pull out any pre-prepped dishes that need to be finished in the oven or on the stove. To streamline the cooking process, try setting up the mise en place. This French culinary practice consists of keeping all of your ingredients prepped in small dishes in order of when you'll need them so that you can work your way through your recipe smoothly and without interruptions.
Depending on the menu, serve up your dish in its cast-iron skillet, dutch oven, or baking dish, or plate your finished dishes on serving trays or platters. Once they're ready, bring them out to the dinner table and keep serving spoons on hand for each dish.
Add the Final Touches
The hour or so before guests are set to arrive is the perfect time to tie up odds and ends. Light the candles, fill the ice bucket, and put on a soft playlist for a bit of ambience. Try to choose music that has a relaxed feel and keep the volume low enough that guests can chat with each other.
Take the trash out from the kitchen and bathroom, clear your entryway of excess shoes to make space for the guests', and change your outfit for your dinner party attire. Once everything has come together, pour yourself a drink and relax for a moment before the guests arrive.
Though hosting a dinner party can be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like, here are some quick and easy dinner party tips that'll keep your evening on track and stress-free:
1. Consider seasonal options. From seasonal produce to dinner party locale, different times of year can propose new opportunities. In the colder months of the year, a row of flickering candles and a Dutch oven full of a hearty stew are the perfect accouterments to a chilly evening. On the flip side, a summery berry salad and grilled veggies are best served on a patio.
2. Think about seating. Rule of thumb: If you're hosting more than eight guests, place cards can be a nice touch that directs traffic and eliminates the sometimes-awkward shuffle around the table.
3. Make it a point to relax. It's important that you, as the host, feel relaxed and engaged – though we know that that can be difficult when you’re worrying about getting all your dishes out on time or if your guests like the menu. By sitting down at the table with the guests, it creates a more comfortable atmosphere than if you were running around playing host.
4. Provide different types of beverages. Whether your dinner party includes wine or cocktails, make sure to have mocktail ingredients, soda, or flavored seltzers on hand for guests that aren't drinking.
5. Serve dessert. Who doesn't like a sweet treat after dinner? Try to serve a handheld dessert if you're short on flatware, or stock up on extra dessert forks to go around. Even better, plan dessert to be served in the living room for a change of scenery and to allow you time to quickly transfer dishes from the table to the kitchen sink. Plus, moving to more comfortable seating is great for those post-dinner conversations where everyone can settle in and stay a while.
6. At least try to clean up before bedtime. Even if you've served a 10-course meal, you'll thank yourself later if you can get a jump on the dishes before you go to bed. Scrape any plate scraps into the trash, put away leftovers, and get any stubborn pots and pans soaking.
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