What Are the Duties of a Host Couple at a Gala?
While guests show up and are expected to enjoy themselves at a party or gala, hosts are expected to make sure the gala runs smoothly and is arranged properly. Snafus, such as running out of food early, forgetting to invite certain people or not offering enough beverages may poorly reflect on the host couple's efforts to put together a successful gala.
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Organize
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Work with your partner to organize the party well in advance of its date. Organizational tasks include planning a guest list, choosing a venue that can accommodate your guest list, sending out invitations and budgeting for party decorations, photographers, party favors, food and entertainment, including live music or games. An disorganized party may result in a venue where food and beverages have run out early or an abundance of food and beverages, and party space with barely any guests. Plan accordingly.
Make Introductions
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Chances are, not all of your guests know each other. To break the ice between guests and encourage socialization, host couples are expected to make introductions after greeting new arrivals. When introducing your guests to one another, include an interesting fact or tidbit about each person or couple. For example, when introducing guests to each other you might say, "Frank, this is Sarah. Sarah is a doctor who lives in New York City. Frank is a pediatrician in Dallas." Right away you've introduced information to them that may prompt further conversation.
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Supervise Festivities
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Throughout the gala, it is the host couple's responsibility to supervise festivities and dictate accordingly. Gala guests will look to the host couple with any problems they may have, such as no more food or beverage. While monitoring festivities, you may need to work closely with the caterer to ensure the food is displayed correctly and there is enough of it. Monitor any waitstaff to ensure they are filling guests' glasses when empty.
Conclusion
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As hosts, you and your significant other should conclude the night by thanking each guest for arriving. Thank your guests if they brought things, such as food, wine or presents. Depending on how close you are to your guests, you may want to hug them goodbye. If not, a handshake will do. If a certain guest seems too inebriated to drive home safely, ask other guests if they can give him a ride home, or call a taxi and have him transported home.
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