There’s nothing quite like sitting around the dinner table with your friends and family, chatting, laughing and enjoying great food. Planning your first dinner party can often be a little overwhelming and many hosts find themselves under pressure from the outset. However, with a little prep and planning in advance, you can ensure that your event is a big hit and an event to remember, for all of the right reasons. 

Before you start calling up your loved ones to invite them round for dinner, you need to give your dinner party a little thought. Are you going for a super-sophisticated, elegant evening? Or, do you prefer a lighter, slightly more casual affair? You might want to spend some time looking at new dining sets to create the right ambience, or perhaps there’s a special event that you are celebrating. With so much to consider, it’s important that you have a plan in place to make sure your first dinner party is stress-free and goes as smoothly as possible. 

Let’s take a look at just a few things you will need to consider to plan the perfect dinner party for your guests. 

Decide Who To Invite

You only have so much room at the table and while you might want to wine and dine all of your closest friends and family, you will need to be selective. Cooking for a large group can be challenging so for your first dinner party, it might be wise to keep the numbers to a minimum. Four to six guests is a good starting point for your first outing. You will still have a lot to do but this is definitely a good number of guests, to begin with. 

Create Your Menu

The food is, of course, the focus of any great dinner party and you need to be sure that you show off your culinary skills and wow your guests. While you may want to go the extra mile and try something outside the box, it’s generally better to serve something that you are comfortable cooking for your first dinner party. Opting for a tried and tested recipe will ensure there are no unexpected surprises on the day and you will be more confident in your meal being a success. 

Consider Your Drink Options

Pairing wine with food is a fantastic way to add a little touch of class to your evening. However, not everybody likes wine, so it’s important to have other drinks to hand for those that would prefer a beer or something non-alcoholic. Having a glass of bubbles on arrival is a great way to set the mood from the very beginning and be sure to have plenty of extra bottles stashed away to offer your guests when the meal is finished. If you really want to go the extra mile, consider whipping up some post-dinner cocktails to keep the party going. 

Set The Mood

A few small touches can go a long way to making your evening extra special. Take the time to set the table to make sure that it looks welcoming and inviting. Light some candles, put out fresh flowers and dim the lights to create the right atmosphere. Finally, make sure that you select the right soundtrack for your evening and keep it at a volume that will allow you and your guests to talk without having to speak over the music. There are some great dinner party playlists on Spotify that you can choose from, or you can always have a go at making your own. 

Make Sure Your First Dinner Party Is A Success

Hosting your first dinner party can be a daunting experience. However, following the tips above, you can make sure that both you and your guests enjoy every moment of the evening. With your first dinner party behind you, you will soon be thinking about your next event and be well on your way to becoming the ‘host with the most’ in your friend group.