Fall is the perfect time of the year for a party…something about the cooler temps and new boots that just makes us feel like going out and about and celebrating. A lot goes into planning a great party. Being intentional about the details truly makes a difference. Today we are going to share with you some of our favorite tips for planning a party!

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DECORATIONS

Decorations can be simple but still beautiful. Something about a pretty table that just makes it feel that much more special. A few weeks ago I hosted a team dinner party on our back deck. It has been long time since I took the time to really put some thought and planning into setting a pretty table. And I had a great time make things all fancy and such. :)

This past summer our team took a trip to TERRAIN. If you have never been…GO. It is like a spa day in plant form. Such a pretty and inspiring greenhouse and shop. Not too mention an awesome cafe. My inspiration for the table decor was a mix of Terrain inspiration, Pinterest, and things I love. My goal was to see how much I could do without spending a fortune.

The silverware is antique silverware from a thrift shop. The napkins are a mismatched set of white linens. These and most of the dinnerware was borrowed from my sister. The burlap was borrowed also. The succulents were borrowed from my brother and ‘rented’ from a local greenhouse. The ferns on the napkins were a last minute thought and I love the detail it added…they were plucked from my front porch.

The menu board is a thrift store picture….all I did was paint the glass with chalkboard paint. Will tell you more about the actual menu!

The chairs were a mix of studio chairs, borrowed chairs, and chairs we have around the house.

The menu! Let me tell you about the menu! My brother, with the help of a friend, made the entire menu and served the dinner. Nope, he is not a chef..but he totally could be. My only request was that the menu be fresh with a summer/early fall feel. And he took it from there. EVERYTHING was made from scratch and fresh. He spent hours prepping. And let me tell you, it was SO good. The food pictures really do no justice. :/

This is my take on decor for this dinner party….but really, decor can go so many ways. – CHAR

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ATMOSPHERE

Atmosphere encompasses every aspect of a party. Every detail put together creates a mood. One of the best parts of hosting a party is being intentional about the atmosphere. This isn’t just about the decor – it’s also about how you feel at the party. The following are Grace’s top tips for creating the perfect atmosphere for a fall party:
Soft lighting- Turn the lights down! Twinkle lights or lanterns add so much to any party to set the mood. Make sure to light up some candles too, this helps with the smell as well. My favorite fall candle is Harvest by Yankee Candle.
Be relaxed- Set the stage for a great evening. Don’t be too stressed when your guest arrive.
Great music-Prepare this ahead of the party so your not stressing over it the day of or 10 minutes before. Play music that you love and will fit the people coming to your event.
Decor- Show your guest that you really went the extra mile with thoughtful decorations. Usually the first thing people notice it what they see. Great decor helps your guest feel comfy and invited.
Details- Notice all the details before your guest do. It’s all about the details.
Feel smashing- Take time to pick out an outfit that you feel fabulous in. Take time to do your makeup and hair too!
Flowers- Flowers are great for making your guest feel special!
Eat well- Food changes everything. Consider having a theme with your food or go with a certain type of food genre. Making food  can stress people out, and if that is the case, either get a caterer to make the food or have your closest friends pitch in so that you can really be at the party. – GRACE

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APPETIZER

As your guests are arriving, it’s great to have a tasty appetizer out for your guests to nibble on. This can really ease the pressure on the host when the main course takes a little longer than expected, plus appetizers are always a fun way to start the evening :) One of my favorite appetizers is cheese and anything seasonal to go with it. For a fun fall appetizer, I recommend a soft cheese – like goat cheese or brie paired with a local granny smith apple and a little local honey drizzled on top. Any type of apple will do, but I really like the tartness of the granny smith paired with the sweetness of the honey and the creaminess of the cheese. – KATHLEEN

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SET THE MOOD WITH MUSIC

Every time I host an event at my home, I always have music playing in the background!
It is a great way to set the mood/ theme of your dinner, party or gathering!
Here is a list of songs that I love that also remind me of the fall season.

Fall Playlist

1) Ho Hey! – Lennon & Maisy Stella
2) Wont turn back -Needtobreathe
3)Vienna- The Fray
4) Sunrise- Norah Jones
5) Stubborn Love-The Lumineers
6) Heart of Life- John Mayer
7)Maybe- Ingrid Michaelson
8) Stay Young, Go Dancing- Death Cab for Cutie
9) A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
10) Fix You- Boyce Avenue
11) Lover of the Light- Mumford & Sons
– JUSTINE

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DINNER CONVERSATION

A dinner party will not be truly successful unless it’s accompanied by easy and enjoyable conversation with your guests. Often we spend all our time focusing on getting the decor and food ready for a party and neglect to consider the importance of being prepared to lead or facilitate great conversation (yes, I’ve been there and it’s not fun). The following are a few tips you may want to remember as you entertain this fall.

1. Be careful not to talk too little or too much. Your guests should not be expected to carry the burden of initiating conversations, but once you’ve gotten things started, step back and try not to monopolize things. Most of your guests will have plenty to say once you’ve got the ball rolling.

2. Don’t be afraid to get personal – people love to talk about their lives – their kids, their jobs, their hobbies. While a conversation about the weather might fall very flat, you can rarely go wrong when you invite people to open up about the things nearest and dearest to their hearts.

3. Most importantly: Relax and have fun! Guests will follow your lead in how awkward or easy the evening flows. So sit back, enjoy your guests and make some amazing fall memories! – ANNA

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GIFT FOR HOST AND HOSTESS

Whenever I attend a get together, I like to bring a homemade thank you gift for the host and hostess. Homemade jam is my specialty. I will make batches of it throughout the summer and fall to keep on hand throughout the year. Now is the perfect time of year to try making apple pie jam. It’s phenomenal. HERE is a recipe with some instructions and helpful images. – KAREN