How to Host a Formal Sorority Party

After you have sent the invitations to your sorority sisters, the menu is planned, the caterer is hired and the room is decorated, the only thing you have left to do is host. Hosting a formal sorority party can be a little less stressful then hosting casual parties because all of the guests are generally gathered in one area.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Short speech for the toast
• Good organizational skills
• Caterer
• Service staff
• Prep area for caterers and service staff

1. Greet your guests as they arrive. Make sure this is your focus when the party begins.

2. Thank your guests for coming. Try to be as quick as possible without being rude. This will prevent bottlenecks in the entryway.

3. Point your guests in the general direction in which they should be going. For example, “Coat check is to the right and the dining room is through the double doors to your left.”

4. Check on dinner. When the last guest has arrived, take this opportunity to slip away to the kitchen to make sure everything is running on time.

5. Get an estimated time for dinner service. This is so you will know when you should direct everyone to take their seats.

6. Direct your guests to take their seats. Do this at least 15 minutes before dinner is to be served.

7. Make a toast. When all the guests are seated and just before the first course, make a toast to again thank everyone for coming.

8. Mingle after dinner. After you have finished the last course, walk around and mingle with your guests.

9. Keep an eye on the door. Watch for guests who are leaving and say your goodbyes.

Tips & Warnings

• Smile a lot. It will help you to relax and have fun.
• Know that you can’t control everything. If dinner is running late or if someone breaks a wine glass, it really isn’t a big deal.
• If you find guests that have had too much to drink, don’t lecture them. Suggest a cup of coffee, a glass of water or some fresh air.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol. You can’t keep tabs on everything if you have had too much to drink.
• Don’t worry about the little things. It will drive you crazy and ensure that you will not have a good time.
• Keep conversations light. No politics, sex or religion. Someone may be offended.