How to Host a Formal Dinner Party

Member

By Sarah Wilson CCRP
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (8 Ratings)

Host a Formal Dinner Party

Certain occasions call for specific protocol. Weddings, christenings, baptisms and several other occasions generally require a formal setting. As the hostess, most of the planning and preparations will become your responsibility. The host main function is to show up, on time, impeccably dressed to support the hostess of this formal dinner party.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Formal table setting
Invitations
Food
Ability to Plan

Step 1

Order the invitations. If your formal dinner party calls for gifts from the guests, consider putting some money in the invitations instead of making them on your inkjet printer. Have them engraved with the details of the dinner party and include a RSVP note card.
Step 2

Set your table for a formal event. Remember to use the correct number of glasses, forks, knives, plates and other dishes. Set a place for each person that plan to attend and remove any extra seating. Don't forget to use a tablecloth as is typical when hosting a formal dinner party.
Step 3

Using the guest lists, plan your seating arrangement. The main think to remember is that a female guest of honor should sit on the right side of the host while the male guest of honor sits on the hostess' right. All other guest can be seated as you wish, however, many consider seating couples together and single guest next to each other.
Step 4

Make sure the host escorts the female guest of honor into the dining room first. They should be followed by the hostess with the most important male of the event, such as the spouse or escort of the female guest of honor. The other guests will follow and take the seat indicated by the hostess.
Step 5

Plan a meal that includes 3 - 6 courses. A formal dinner party generally consists of 1) soup or salad; 2) an entree with sides; 3) dessert and 4) coffee or after-dinner drinks. Some people add in 2 or 3 appetizers which extends the meal to 5 or 6 courses.
Step 6

Relax and enjoy yourself. Do not assume the evening is going to go wrong. You spent a lot of time planning and you are among friends. Relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.