As I try to plan two upcoming spring events, a garden party and Easter, I am trying to decide what type of format I’d like for my Garden party and I’m struggling. Struggling because I have an uptick in guest attendance because friends are in town (yay!) which can, but may not mean I have enough seats for a sit down.
Spring is busy, it’s unsure if everyone can attend anyway so it might work itself out, or… would I rather have a larger group mingling so there’s no need for a sit down? Then how would I manage food if I used to do a potluck style Garden party? See last year’s gorgeous sit down Garden party in collaboration with Williams-Sonoma here.
Now as to who to invite if you must keep it intimate, my mother gave me this advice when it came down to really focusing on a guest list – if you need to. I wrote a blog post about how I make a guest list and decisions if you want to read it here: Making a guest list feeling left out and more sensitive topics. My friend Lauren who hosts often has suggested that parties are an opportunity to deepen a friendship sometimes so invite people you want to get closer with.
If it’s hard to narrow it down, take my mom’s advice:
“Invite people who care about you.” – Mom
The two party choices are a buffet style which can encourage more mingling, more informal style versus a sit-down dinner which is more formal. I have obviously hosted both and it came as an easy decision –
Buffet style for the big parties, my 40th soiree, Christmas ornament party, and Easter.
Sit-down dinner for my themed parties: Princess Diana, Juicy Couture Y2K birthday party, and last year’s garden party.
I searched Google for some more insight about each (even though I knowwwwww) and here are some insights AI gave me.
When to choose a buffet:
- Large guest list: A buffet allows guests to move around and serve themselves, which is efficient for large groups.
- Casual vibe: Buffet style is often seen as more relaxed and encourages mingling among guests.
If you are thinking about buffet, you should check out this page on how to properly set a buffet from my friends at Williams-Sonoma. I also show it in this blog post of my Italian dinner.
When to choose a sit-down dinner:
- Smaller guest list: Easier to manage serving and ensure everyone gets a proper meal.
- Formal occasion: A sit-down dinner provides a more structured and elegant experience.
Usually it’s easy for me to decide how to host a party but since I’ve been doing the same format it can be hard for me to change it up, but I think I’m going to! Just because you’ve hosted a party one way doesn’t mean you have to stick with it, and it doesn’t have to be annual in tradition.
I try to keep in mind the things that make a party fun:
- A fun theme
- Encouraged attire/costume party
- An activity
- Florals
- Music
- Party Favors
You can read this blog post where I elaborate a bit more.
Leave a Reply