Formal dinner parties with all the elegance and etiquette can be great. But, dinner dances can be greater! With lively music, dancing and really delicious food together, dinner dances often mean a great, memorable time.
Of course, certain things have to be done right for this so here are 3 tips for you.
Themed Ambiance
A theme is definitely something you want to do; it just adds so much fun, tying everything together in a cool memorable vibe.
How do you pick a theme? Make a list, then prioritize the themes that match the occasion or better yet what your guests are into.
Next, you want to add decorations, table settings, and lighting that really bring out your chosen theme. For example, if it’s a “Masquerade Ball,” throw in some stylish masks and dim lighting for that mysterious touch.
So, say the occasion is celebrating an admission into a prestigious performing arts program and so you choose to host a “Hollywood Glam” dinner dance. Why not go all out and lay a red carpet at the entrance, deck the place with gold accents, and maybe even scatter little Oscar-like statues on the tables? In fact, you want to insist on a dress code that you yourself follow – sharp suits, elegant gowns, beautiful jewelry, nude gel nail polish, red lipstick, etc. It’s all about getting into the theme enough to have a blast!
Menu Variety
Mixing up the menu is how you’ll avoid having anyone feeling left out and having options for all tastes and dietary needs means everyone leaves with wonderful memories, instead of a singular one of hunger.
So, you want to check in advance for any food restrictions your guests might have and plan accordingly as well as incorporate a mix of starters, mains, and desserts. Perhaps even have food from different cuisines to keep things interesting.
For example, think caprese skewers for starters, a choice between grilled chicken, veggie pasta, or seafood for mains, and a dessert spread that’s like a sweet wonderland.
Smooth Transitions
Awkward moments or lapses in time can really kill any party vibe and so you want to make smooth transitions a priority. Really, keeping things flowing is the key to a party that rocks from start to finish.
How? If it’s possible, you want to hire a competent emcee to guide the show and keep things on track. Imagine an emcee who kicks things off with a funny bit, introduces a quick speaker for a sweet toast, and then smoothly shifts to pumping up the music gradually, signaling it’s time to hit the dance floor.
If you have to do it yourself, let anyone speaking know to keep it short and sweet and pace the music according to tempo.
Hosting a really fun dinner dance everyone won’t soon forget is easier to do than you’d think! Try out these tips.