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Whether you are planning a relaxing outdoor barbecue on a balmy summer evening, or getting ready to host the perfect festive dinner party, you need to have the right atmosphere to make your guests feel right at home. Everything from home decor and lighting, to your specialist menu and seating arrangements can make the difference between a rousing success and a total washout. If you are planning the party of a lifetime, follow these simple steps and get your party started in style.
The Room
First and foremost, before you even start to think about food and music choices, you need to decide where you are having your party. Check the weather forecast in advance if you can, or use your best judgement to figure out if indoors or outdoors is the best place to be. Once that is settled, think about how many guests you are inviting and if they are all going to fit. No one wants to be stuck in a cramped room while they’re trying to mingle, but you also don’t want it to feel like you have too few guests either.
Dinner parties are best suited to larger rooms with plenty of seating, while parties and barbecues can be more open-plan and free ranging. Once you have decided, make sure you have all the right furniture and seating for your party with a visit to Wayfair Australia and source the perfect items for your needs.
The Lighting
Are you having your party at night or in the day? Or will it be for a few hours or one of those events where it lasts from late afternoon until the small hours of the morning? Whatever you are planning, think about your lighting plan in advance. Natural light pretty much takes care of things during the day time but what about when the sun goes down? If you are indoors, you will want plenty of light to enable your guests to see their food and drink, but not too much or it will become a bit much for the evening. Outdoor parties look wonderful when lit up by garden solar lights and candles, so make sure you get some ready before the big day.
The Music
Depending on the style of your party, you will need to think carefully about your music selection. Dinner party music should be kept to the background during the meal to allow for proper conversation, and then raised slightly afterwards when everyone is a bit more relaxed and comfortable with each other. Outdoor parties can allow for a more robust style of music, especially if you have guests who like to dance. Organise a wide selection and, if you have time, make a list of all the song choices or genres available so guests can ask for a particular style to suit the mood. If you want a classic Australia Day playlist, check out this selection.
The Host
It is often said that the only person at a party not having fun is the host. Make sure this doesn’t happen to you by preparing your party well in advance and by asking for help when required. Rope in family and close friends to help with the food and drink preparations and, once the party is underway, try to let go of the little things. Apartment Therapy has some great advice about how to relax at your own party so check it out before your big night. So, if your guests prefer rock music to the soul selection that you picked, or one person didn’t like the chicken dish you spent hours making, try and let it wash over you. In the end you’re there to have fun so just relax and focus on having a good time instead!
