Kimberly R Jones Lifestyle Expert hosting an event
ByKimberly

How To Host an Intimate Dinner Party

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Learning how to host an intimate dinner party is easy when you have a well thought out plan.

Browse through micro entertaining for additional luxury party ideas.
Practical Stylish Living helps you make a timeline, create a realistic budget and shows the difference is in the details.
Kimberly R Jones Lifestyle Expert hosting a private intimate dinner party.

Hosting A Luxe Dinner Party

Hosting an upscale dinner party whether at home or at your favorite venue, doesn’t have to be stressful. Making it an elegant and intimate dining experience requires a lot of planning and if done correctly it’s well worth the time spent.

Practical Stylish Living helps you make a timeline, create a realistic budget and shows the difference is in the details.
Practical Stylish Living | Luxury Home Decor | Luxury Home Entertaining | Luxe party hosting supplies

Party Hosting Details

Set the atmosphere with delicious food, elegant decor, smooth jazz and good conversation. Your family and friends will appreciate and forever remember the gracious hospitality that you displayed towards them.

Luxury dinner party styling tips.
Red and Antique Gold table setting with candles and crystal glass decor for an elegant luxury dinner party

Determine Food Service Style

  • Family Service Style ~ Guests serve themselves by passing meal components that are placed in the center of the table. Casual Dining
  • Buffet Service Style ~ Guests serve themselves from a beautifully curated food buffet table. Minimal help required and more budget friendly. Casual or Formal Dining
  • Butlered Service Style ~ Guests remain seated and are served a specific meal by a staff of waiters. A nice luxury if budget allows. Formal Dining
Practical Stylish Living shares a party timeline, how to create a realistic party budget and shows the difference is in the details.
Creative ideas for displaying elegant cookies, brownies and cake for an intimate dinner party. Treats packaged in colors of gold, black and white

Set Dinner Party Budget

Keep in mind the cost of food, rentals, music, decorations and libations. If you need help determining a party budget get the Budget Calculator Tool available to subscribers.

How to set a realistic party budget for a luxury affair.
Kimberly R Jones Lifestyle Expert shares tips, inspiration and ideas on hosting an intimate dinner party.

Party Budget Tips

  • Food – self prepared or catering? When serving a lot of people the best route to take is catering but if catering isn’t budget friendly choose food that can be prepared ahead of time and heated the day of the event.
  • Rentals – plates, silverware, serving utensils, chairs, and extra tables are great things to rent if needed. Slowly invest in good quality serving utensils and home décor to minimize future rentals.
  • Music – preparing a special playlist and using your home music system is perfect for setting the atmosphere. Get free music playlist located in subscriber tools.
Practical Stylish Living gives detailed and creative party ideas to have a successful intimate dinner party.
Elegant Valentine table decor that captures the feeling and style of the season. High-end dinner tablescapes and tablesettings.

Party Theme Décor

  • Theme Décor – don’t go over board with disposable themed decorations. Simple signage printed out and displayed in the appropriate areas are perfect reminders of what the celebration is about. Keep themed décor simple and elegant.
  • Decorations – Invest in stylish décor that can be utilized all year round. Premium vases for centerpieces, fine crystal glassware, heavy weighted silverware, gorgeous serving trays, reflective candle holders and textured placemats. These detailed luxurious will automatically elevate your dining experience.
Dinner party drinks ideas and inspiration.
Dinner party drink station setup ideas and inspiration.

Party Drinks

  • Libations – can be costly. Cut down the expense by sharing with guests. When guests ask if they can bring something… it’s ok to suggest they bring their favorite drink or bottle of wine.

How To Host An Intimate Dinner Party

Practical Stylish Living provides tips on what not to do for an intimate dinner party.
Kimberly R Jones Lifestyle Expert hosting an event

Dinner Party Don’ts

  • Phone Calls – Don’t take phone calls during the dinner party unless it’s an emergency. Turn the ringer off on your phone and if a response is required… respond in a private space away from guests.
  • Food Allergies – Don’t forget about people with food allergies. Ask guests about food allergies before planning the menu.
  • Alcohol Sensitivities – Always keep a distance between alcohol beverages and non-alcohol beverages. Allowing at least a four feet distance is being considerate towards guests with alcohol sensitivities.
Luxury event styling ideas for an intimate dinner party buffet or sit down dinner.
Food buffet displayed at a private party accessorized in gold and silver decor

Don’ts Continued

  • Invite too many people – limit guest count to twelve if intimacy is the goal. Inviting more than twelve guests causes a loss in guest engagement and creates a more chaotic and loud atmosphere.
  • Guests who are always late – guests who are NOT respecters of time… are not a match for a formal intimate affair with a set agenda. People who have chronic lateness are more suitable for parties that aren’t held within time constraints. So save their invite for another occasion.
Practical Stylish Living provides tips on what not to do for an intimate dinner party.
Intimate dinner party decor and a list of to do's for having a great party.

Dinner Party Do’s

  • Save The Date – send out the date at least 8 weeks before the event so guests can adjust their schedules.
  • Set a Dress Code – make sure you include the dress code on the invitations. Indicate… casual, business or formal attire.
  • Clean House | Venue – ensure health standards and cleanliness standards are practiced especially in areas where guests will be dining and socializing.
  • Adjust Dining Lighting – dim the lights in the dining area and compensate the low lighting with various types of candlelight.
Formal dinner party tips that create elegance.
Intimate dinner party desserts elegantly displayed and packaged in the colors of gold, black and white. Safely serving food post Covid.

Formal Dinner Party Success Tips

  • Use Pretty Dinnerware – using top-notch table decor and special dinnerware affirms the celebration of a memorable occasion.
  • Prepare Music Playlist – choose calming and soft background music. Music helps create the mood and is key in conveying the tone of your intimate affair.
  • Agenda – have a “Day of Agenda.” Having a time line helps keep the party focused on the special occasion and minimize unnecessary distractions.
Photo Credit
Photographer Priscilla A Jones

Priscilla A. Jones

Architectural | Lifestyle | Portraits

Practical Stylish Living guide on how to host an intimate dinner party.
Host the best intimate dinner party by using a dinner party planner.

How To Host An Intimate Dinner Party

Get help planning and executing an unforgettable dinner party for your family and friends. Here’s my gift to you. The exact planner I use to prepare for intimate gatherings is now available ***FOR FREE*** to subscribers. Download The Intimate Dinner Party Planner eBook in the Subscriber Tools section.

How to host a luxury dinner party.
Download the intimate dinner party planner. Timeline, music playlist, dinner conversation questions, dinner jokes, drink toasts

The Intimate Dinner Party Planner Includes:

  • 8 Week Planner
  • Party Day Time Line
  • Music Playlist
  • Dinner Conversation Questions
  • Dinner Jokes
  • Drink Toasts
Practical Stylish Living makes a dinner party timeline, helps you create a realistic budget and shows the difference is in the details in planning an intimate dinner party.

Delivery: Instant Download

This is a digital download and printable ebook. The Intimate Dinner Party Planner eBook is available immediately for download in the Subscriber Tools section. If you have any problems downloading your FREE ebook please contact Kimberly.

Contact Kimberly
Usually responses are received within two business days.

* Content Appropriate for Adult Couples *

Practical Stylish Living inspiration for creating beautiful homes, memorable celebrations and sharing lifestyle inspiration.

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