It's Dinner Party Season—Here's How To Host One

*hostess class is in session* [3 Ways to Throw a Dinner Party, According to Your Hosting Style]( Source: Alaina Kaz Nothing makes us happier than good food, amazing wine, and great people. But wanting to throw a dinner party is one thing—actually doing it is another altogether. That said, while hosting a dinner party can admittedly feel overwhelming, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. We tapped the entertaining experts from one of our favorite wine brands, [La Crema]( for their best tips to help you seamlessly plan and execute a magical night for everyone. Keep on reading to learn the best way to throw a dinner party, according to your hosting style. - LAID BACK: A Buffet and Self-Serve Bar When it comes to hosting, setting up a buffet and a self-serve bar is the most hands-off approach, so if your entertaining style is more laid-back, this is the right move for you. Decide on your menu ahead of time and whether you’re going to have each guest bring a dish or prepare all the food yourself. Then make sure you have plenty of flatware, dinnerware, and drinkware, as well as serving pieces like platters and pitchers so guests can easily serve themselves. Before the party starts, fill up ice buckets to chill your white and sparkling wines, and uncork your reds so they can breathe ahead of time. Source: Alaina Kaz - ELEVATED YET APPROACHABLE: FAMILY-STYLE A family-style meal is a great option for a smaller, more intimate gathering because it makes everyone feel at home. Plus, since all the food and wine bottles are laid out directly on the table, it makes your job as host easy. Depending on the kind of menu you’re offering, you can choose to serve one type of wine or provide a variety of [reds]( [whites]( and [sparkling options]( to appease all your guests. 3. ULTIMATE HOST: A PLATED MEAL The key to nailing a formal dinner party is to plan in advance. First and foremost, iron out the guest list and send out invitations so you can determine how much food and wine you’ll need. Then start planning the menu along with your wine pairings. Depending on how many courses you want to serve, your menu might include an appetizer, soup, entrée, dessert, and cheese course. The golden rule for pairing wines with food? Pair light with light, and heavy with heavy. [CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE]( [More From Our Entertaining Guide]( In partnership with [La Crema](   [How Much Wine Do I Actually Need for a Dinner Party? An Expert Answers](   [20 Recipes That Look Fancy, But Are Incredibly Easy to Make](   [Everything You Need to Be Your Own Sommelier](   [The No-Stress Timeline for Hosting Your Next Party]( This email is sponsored by La Crema, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board. Copyright © 2023 The Everygirl, LLC, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website. Our mailing address is: The Everygirl, LLC 222 S. Morgan St. #2A Chicago, IL 60607 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can u[pdate your preferences]( u[nsubscribe from this list.]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( The Everygirl · 222 South Morgan St · #2A · Chicago, IL 60607 · USA