Dinner Party Planning Tips - When To Save And When To Splurge
Jun 14, 2023
A well-planned dinner party with friends can be an excellent way to celebrate something special, such as a milestone birthday or career promotion. As such, it is always worth going the extra mile to guarantee a memorable evening - this might include sourcing exceptional ingredients or decorating your home according to a specific theme. Either way, going all out can incur an eye-watering price tag. That said, you can still host a luxurious dinner party without spending a fortune by budgeting based on your priorities; in other words - knowing when to save and when to splurge. Read on to find out more.
Save - Invitations
When planning a luxury dinner party, it may be tempting to go all out and order beautifully-designed invitations for your guests. Unless you’re a talented papercraft enthusiast or graphic designer, luxury party invitations can be surprisingly costly, particularly if you order them on high-quality card stock. However, if you’re determined to send your guests invitations, you could email them digital invitations to save money and benefit the environment by limiting your paper consumption.
Spend - High-Quality Ingredients
If there is one aspect of a luxury dinner party for splurging on, it’s superior ingredients. Fresh, high-quality produce makes for an enhanced dining experience, so it is always worth going the extra mile to source exceptional ingredients. Generally speaking, local, seasonal produce is fresher, tastier and better for the environment - this is because local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table. Local fruits and vegetables are also considered healthier, with a superior nutritional value than imported alternatives. Head to your local farmer’s market for the best produce your area has to offer.
Save - Ambience
There are many methods of creating the perfect ambience for your dinner party. For example, you could hire professional entertainers such as musicians or character actors to welcome your guests. You may even want to set off a few fireworks in your back garden to ensure your evening concludes with a spectacular (quite literal) bang. However, if you’re eager to save your cash, there are more economical methods of achieving the ideal ambience. For example, you could create a playlist of soothing background music to accompany your guests as they dine.
Spend - Wine
Your wine selection is something worth paying close attention to. While you can always purchase affordable wine, a luxury dinner party calls for something a little more special. Consider pairing a high-quality wine with each course to complement flavours and improve your guests’ dining experience. For example, if your main course is something rich and flavourful like steak or lamb, consider pairing it with an equally full-bodied wine like Dominus or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Save - Crockery And Cutlery
The presence of high-quality crockery and cutlery is one surefire way to ensure your luxury dinner party is a hit with your guests. However, if you’re not lucky enough to own a set of high-quality dinner plates or crystal wine glasses, you could borrow or hire them. This is particularly helpful if you don’t host guests frequently and you’ve no need for surplus tableware. However, if you’ve been toying with the idea of investing in luxury tableware, what better excuse than a dinner party?
Spend - Professional Catering
Hiring a professional catering service for your luxury dinner party may cost a considerable amount. Still, it’s an excellent way to keep you out of the kitchen and in the dining room socialising with your guests. Firstly, with a professional caterer, you can guarantee an exceptional quality of food, with fresh, high-quality ingredients for a remarkable dining experience. Secondly, you can rest assured that hygiene and safety standards are second to none. If your budget allows, a professional catering service could make your dinner party astounding.
Save - Bring A Dish
Hosting a ‘bring your own dish’ dinner party is a fantastic way to save money and bond over delicious, home-cooked food. A popular concept among friends and relatives, these parties are commonly known as potluck dinners and allow guests to sample one another’s culinary creations, share recipes and all chip in for a successful evening. You could request your guests bring something based on a specific cuisine or leave it up to them. Not only will this save you money, but it’ll take a lot of pressure off you in the kitchen.