You may be used to hosting parties of all kinds in your home, from simple backyard barbecues to lavish sit-down holiday parties. Maybe you’ve got an event coming up where you’ve decided to go full black tie for the occasion. While this can be somewhat overwhelming, there are plenty of tips you can have under your belt to make the process – from planning to execution – go a little easier. Let’s look at the easiest ways to make your event a success and a breeze to prepare, letting you enjoy the ride and the party.
Hire A Planner
Let’s face it – if you’re planning a black-tie event, you likely aren’t constricted very much by budgets. While blowing money is never in style, you should spare no expense to ensure you have the best for your guests, making it a night to remember. Maybe you’re planning a fundraiser, a wedding reception, a work function – it doesn’t matter. Getting a planner on board to help you execute your vision is essential if you want to nail it. Shop around for planners and conduct interviews; you’ll be working intimately with this person and want to make sure you are on the same page. If you’ve been to events that you’ve loved, don’t be shy about reaching out to the organizers to see who they’ve used – it’s all in who you know.
Pick A Theme & Stick With It
With the help of your planner, or maybe you’ve had the theme in mind for some time, you want to pin down the theme for your black-tie affair. Whether you go Great Gatsby or Contemporary, you want to make sure every detail matches the theme of your party. Your guests (not all but many) will have a discerning eye, and you want to leave no stone unturned and open to critique.
Dress To Impress
As the event host, the night will fly in the same way it does for a bride on her wedding day. As they say, when you look good, you feel good – so make sure you’re looking your best, so you feel that confidence. Opt for a basic black or neutral outfit and let the attention fall on your gorgeous high end antique jewelry or even tiara if that fits the occasion. You want to wear clothing and footwear that is easy to move in as you’ll be shaking hands, dancing, and mingling all evening. The details of the host’s attire as just as necessary as the food your guests will eat.
Picking The Perfect Caterer
Whether you’re the best home chef in the world doesn’t matter; planning an event of this magnitude, you don’t have time to do the food prep. Work with your event coordinator or other network connections to hire a chef or catering company that can prepare a menu that fits your theme and tastes for the event. Ideally, you’ll hire a company that has a bartender as well, so it’s one more minor detail to deal with it. Speaking of drinks, it’s a great idea to have at least one named signature drink for the event – and make sure it’s delicious in its non-alcoholic version. While most of your guests will be there to have a good time and get a little tipsy, plenty more will be dry guests, and they deserve to enjoy your signature cocktail too!
Favors Are Friendly
After a sleepover, party favors and souvenirs from an event aren’t just for little kids. Favors are a friendly and generous gesture and also a way to ensure your guests never forget the fabulous time they had at your party. Again, make sure the favor aligns with the theme of your event, and that it’s something that anyone can enjoy. A bottle of wine, a high-end candle, or even a box of chocolates from a local chocolatier are great favors. While you’ll be busy still mingling and not able to say goodbye to every last attendee, you can have the favors at the table where they sit or by the exit for people to take as they leave.
Hosting an event of this magnitude can feel daunting, but it needn’t be. Let the above tips be your guide to making the black-tie event of your dreams come true. Happy Planning!