throw a formal party
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Throw a formal party for a special occassion, fundraiser or just for an excuse to get together with friends and show off your skills. Take your time planning this event. Unlike a casual get-together, a formal party requires more attention to details- from the guest list to the decor and meal. Expectations are higher when you declare a party to be formal. Set the stage for your party with elegant party invitations. Make your own by printing the party details on an off-white piece of cardstock with a black ribbon bow tied through a hole punched at the top.
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Things You'll Need
- Invitations
- Music
- Flowers and vases
- Lights and candles
- Place settings
- Food
- Wine
Instructions
1
Carefully plan your guest list. Invite people who get along, if there is a known problem between individuals your party can become awkward quickly. Although a formal party is a chance to include new people into your circle though. Ask your close friends to invite one of their acquaintances. The unpredictability can inject a level of excitement in a formal gathering.
2
Play soft music in the background. Choose jazz, Michael Buble or classical music. Have a variety of music to change throughout the evening. Program your computer, rent a stack of CD's from the library or use your iPod and speakers.
3
Create a comfortable place for guests to mingle. Set out appetizers throughout the party area, and have drinks on hand. You can hire a bartender to prepare drinks for your guests. Alternately, you can designate a single signature cocktail for the party.
4
Dim the lights and add candles, small lamps and strings of mini Christmas lights for an elegant atmosphere. If you are hosting the party outdoors, you can add lamps on shepherd hooks, or hang votive candles from tree branches with wire hangers.
5
Flowers can be used sparingly for a formal party. A single flower looks elegant in a bud vase. Place one at every place setting. Float flowers in a glass bowl for the centerpiece. Set a formal table with a table cloth, coordinating cloth napkins and matching place settings. Use a charger to hold the place for the dinner plate and have water goblets filled with ice water. Use a glass pitcher of ice water to keep the guests glasses full throughout the meal.
6
Formal dinner parties involve several courses. In general there should be two to three appetizers that can be eaten while mingling. Choose dishes that are simple to prepare and then embellish elaborately. The presentation is important at a formal party. Serve a salad, soup and then the main course. Prepare individual plates with embellishments before serving to your seated guests. After dinner, have dessert and coffee.
7
If you are planning on serving wine, visit a wine shop before the party to discover the best possible choices to pair with your meal. Let the staff know exactly what you are serving and they can come up with wine that will match perfectly. You can also pick up a dessert wine to serve at the end of the meal or a bottle of champagne.
Tips &- Warnings
Decide where you want your guests to sit around the table. Use place cards to designate the seating arrangement. Planning this detail can help keep everyone engaged in the party.For example, place introverts next to yourself, or between charming people who can keep the conversation going.
Enjoy your own party. Enlist the help of friends to bring plates out to the fellow guests or hire a couple of teenagers to help serve and clear dishes.
Tags: formal party, your party, guest list, your guestsSource: www.ehow.com
