{"id":6411,"date":"2018-08-17T12:10:23","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T12:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakehomes.com\/info\/?p=6411"},"modified":"2026-01-27T14:15:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T20:15:29","slug":"how-to-host-the-perfect-d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakehomes.com\/info\/lifestyles\/how-to-host-the-perfect-d","title":{"rendered":"How to Host the Perfect Dinner Party: Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo courtesy of Pikist<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At first glance, the concept of a dinner party seems exciting: good food and drinks, great friends and even better conversation. However, there’s a lot of behind the scenes work required to make those fabulous evenings a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It isn’t easy determining a budget, figuring out a guest list or designing invitations, all weeks in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Putting together a picture-perfect dinner party at your lake home can be a daunting task for those who aren\u2019t properly prepared. So we\u2019ve created a 3-part series of easy-to-follow guides to help you achieve your most memorable, fun-filled soir\u00e9e yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some pro tips on preparation to make sure everything goes as smooth as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Preparation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Buy a fancy planner, set reminders in your phone, place sticky notes on every flat surface in your house–however you choose to go about it, planning and organization are the keys to a successful night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start early and finish often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make small steps toward preparation in the weeks leading up to your event, giving yourself plenty of time for each task. This will not only keep you on track, but save you from feeling overwhelmed at the last minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Budget<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a big deal<\/em>. Before you get all excited and tunnel-visioned about what you want, it\u2019s imperative to make sure it\u2019s within the bounds of financial comfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you afford to feed 30 people steaks, shrimp and champagne? Are you planning on springing for live music, or doing cute little party favors for each guest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A smart budget is a great place to start the planning process. Whether your cap is $200 or $2,000, knowing exactly how much you feel comfortable spending and planning everything around that number is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guest List<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know what you\u2019re working with, determine a guest list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A dinner party is a great way to acquaint new people and initiate lasting relationships. When figuring out who\u2019ll receive an invitation, there are some things to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n