I
have written this and I think that it will be
useful to you weather or not you are considering
using my services.
Taking
a bit of time before will let you do what you
want most, enjoy your guests and avoid any catastrophes.
5
weeks before your event
Call
me and tell me what you are thinking of concerning
your coming party. Now is the time to ask me for suggestions.
We can arrange a meeting to better formulate ideas
of what you might need and how to accomplish a great
event.
Remember
the earlier you book the better prepared we both will
be.
Take
a week to consider the following items.
4
weeks before your event
Setting
your budget is crucial. The size of your budget will
determine how many people you invite, the kind of
food you serve, etc. Together we can do some very
creative things with limited budgets; so modest budgets
should not deter you.
Decide
on how many people you would like to invite. (between
4 and 30 people including yourself).
If
you are seriously considering have me help arrange
your party please keep in mind that I am interested
in arranging something of quality and I do limit
the number of guests for a formal sit down dinner
to 12 or 14. I also do not except buffet and cocktail
parties larger than 30 unless you are a prior customer
and we have discussed it before hand. As I said
on my opening page, I get my satisfaction and pleasure
from being a personal chef and providing a high
standard of service for my clients.
Decide
on the date and time.
Find
and reserve location if having the party away from
your home, ie. beach party or picnic or at a friends.
Finalize
your guest list.
Do
you require staff? You will if you have a sit down
dinner for more than 8 with cocktails coffee and brandy
after dinner.
Deciding
on what type of dinner you would like, relaxed, formal,
or buffet. How many people your dining or living room
and can manage or perhaps you will be arranging your
party outdoors.
Chose
a Style - You have to know what style makes you feel
comfortable. After all, you want to be able to relax
and have fun.
When
planning a formal dinner party you should remember
a few important factors. Most importantly, it is your
dinner party so you can do whatever you wish. You
are the one throwing the party, the one planning the
party, and the one paying for it. You can put in as
much or as little effort as you think appropriate.
The
other factor you should keep in mind is what your
guests want. Your guest may not enjoy a formal dinner
party as much as you. Your guests may not enjoy getting
dressed in a suit and tie for a party. Know who your
guests are, what their likes and dislikes are.
INVITE
GUESTS - Post your invitations. Will you send out
printed invitations or hand written invitation cards.
This should be done 4 weeks in advance of your event.
Don't
forget to let your guests know if there is a dress
code for the event.
Should
your invitations include and OSA card? In these days
of e-mail most of us are finding it difficult as people
easily forget to OSA electronically. Having an OSA
card that needs to be posted back to you seems to
get a quicker response. Placing a stamp and the return
address on the envelope of your OSA card is extremely
thoughtful and makes your guests more likely to respond
quickly.
Will
there be a drink or cocktails before dinner?
Will
there be canapes served before dinner?
Having
a meeting to discuss the menu and how many courses
you wish to serve if it is to be a sitting dinner.
Discuss any eating restrictions you or your guest
may have such as salt or allergies. Taking a discussion
about costs for food and beverage.
Look
over your dinnerware and silverware, glasses, table
linen and serving trays or platters to see what will
be used and what is needed. Will there be candles
and/or flowers on the table. Does your silver need
to be polished.
Decide upon what you will need to rent.
Order
any party rental equipment.
Staff:
who will supply you with staff? Remember for informal
events that everyone knows teenagers who need to make
a little extra money. A friends daughter or son that
can help by picking up plates, loading the dishwasher
and keeping things neat is a great inexpensive way
of getting extra help lessen stress.
3
weeks before
Create
and send cocktail party invitations if you are arranging
this type of party. Cocktail party invitations can
be sent as late as 2 weeks before, but be aware that
during holiday seasons such as Easter and Christmas
some of your guests might be busy if you wait too
long.
Now
that you have decided on what type of party, its time
to begin to think about decorating the room and table.
Seasonal or theme decorations.
Talk
with your florist if you are using one.
Time
to check your table linens and see if they are in
need of a cleaning or pressing. If so send them out
now.
Will
there be enough parking? If you live out of the city
25 people can mean as many as 16 cars. Is there space
on your street or on your property to park them all?
How
will you take care of guest who might have drunk too
much that drove to your party?
Perhaps
hiring a bus is a solution for getting guest to and
from your event.
2
weeks before
Order birthday or theme cake if you are arranging
a birthday or anniversary party.
Take
inventory of kitchen items and table/bar ware for
the party and acquire missing items.
Take
inventory of party supplies and purchase needed, napkins,
plastic drink glasses and plastic plates, paper goods,
etc.
One
Week Before Party
Call guests you have not heard from to ask if they
will be attending.
Have
the cloths you are planning on wearing come back from
the dry cleaner?
Confirm
rental orders and delivery dates.
Purchase
non-perishable food and drinks for your party.
Write
party-day schedule.
2
to 3 Days Before Party
Check
with the florist that your arrangements will be delivered
the day before or the day of your party.
Confirm
with your caterer if your using one, concerning the
menu, delivery time and staff.
Have prepared any special clothes needed for party
day.
Be
sure your table linens have come back from the cleaner.
Be
sure that all your table ware is clean and ready to
go.
Shop
for and/or check to make sure you have:
Candles
Soft drinks
Juice
Alcoholic beverages
Extra paper towels
Film for camera
Tapes for camcorder
Batteries (recharge if need be) for camera and/or
camcorder
Day
Before Party
Purchase
flowers and decorations if not using a florist.
Groceries for Menus (purchase or have delivered)
Refrigerate drinks, defrost frozen foods.
Child-proof party area (if necessary)
Decorate and arrange your home for the party.
Clean your house. Put out clean towels. Make sure
you have enough toilet paper and paper towels.
Have camera and video recorder charged and ready in
an easy to find spot but out of children's reach.
Day
of the party
Set
up table and bar.
Put
out all serving trays and other serving pieces you
will need for the party so they are ready.
Chill
wine and other drinks.
Pick
up ice.
Half
hour before the party
Reheat
and set out food if you have organized a buffet.
Set
out canapes for heating and serving.
Light
candles, start music.
and
if you have one on, take off your apron and enjoy
your party.
