Do have lots of candles
Lighting is the most important thing when trying to create an atmosphere. And everyone looks good in candlelight! It’s also fun to experiment with different coloured candles.
Do serve your food family style
We love sharing platters down the table instead of things being pre-plated and feeling like a formal restaurant.
Don’t experiment with food that’s overly complicated
The goal is for your guests to feel relaxed, so it’s best to go with a meal you love to cook and you know is delicious.
Do set up a well stocked bar so guests can serve themselves
This way, guests won’t feel awkward having to constantly ask for drinks, and the host can also spend more time doing other things.
Don’t take a gamble with the guestlist and seating plan
Be considered and thoughtful and try to find an affinity that binds people.
Do have ice buckets down the table for guests’ drinks
Again, this is a nice touch for when people want to top up their drinks.
Don’t have manicured tall flower arrangements
They might block your view from people sitting in front of you.
Do have a general placement idea so guests don’t awkwardly stand around
Placecards are always a nice touch when having a larger dinner. People are coming to your home to relax and have a good time so it takes away any stress from the guest figuring out where to sit. And with a small dinner you don’t necessarily need placecards but it’s nice to guide guests where to sit.
Do have bud vases with flowers dotted down your table
We love colour and flowers on the table but it can also get quite full with lots of platters. Bud vases are a great way to add pops of colour with smaller flowers dotted down the table.
Don’t ever have overhead lighting
It’s just not right!
Don’t play loud music during dinner
It’s distracting and makes people speak loudly.
Do have carafes of water
This means that people don’t have to pass the water along the table all the time which often disrupts the flow.
Do have salt and pepper for every four people
You don’t want people awkwardly waiting their turn for the salt!
Don’t start clearing and cleaning when guests are still there
It’s totally fine to stack up the plates and get them out of the way, but it can sometimes make guests feel like they have to leave when doing a full clean. That being said, it’s great if you do indeed want your guests to go!
