Dinner Party Checklist | Free Detailed Planning Guide

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Dinner Party Planning

Party Flow

Dinner Menu Planning

Birthday Dinner Party

Getting Started Basics

Lighting Tips

Setting | Seating | Serving

Dinner Party Checklist

Dinner Party Themes

Decorating Strategies

Dinner Party Etiquette

Dinner Shopping Lists

Guest List & Invites

The Cocktail Hour

Selecting the Music

Dinner Party Checklist: Free Detailed Planning Guide

...or click here for the Cocktail Party Checklist

2-3 Weeks Ahead

Choose a date & time
Verify date for conflicts
Choose a theme
Invite guests
Send written follow-up to phone invitation

Note special purpose, e.g. Birthday
Include any driving & parking instructions
Include a dress code, if desired
Indicate adults only

Plan the party flow: Cocktail Hour, Dinner, After-Dinner
Start 5 shopping lists (see Dinner Shopping Lists)

Decorations & Supplies
Liquor
Non-perishables & Frozen Foods
Perishables
Last minute Items

Plan decorations and add items to the appropriate list
Order decorations from PartySwizzle.com
Plan menu & hors d’oeuvres and add items to the appropriate list
Make a separate shopping trip for any recipes you need to test ahead of time
Order any specialty foods
Plan drinks and wine, then add items to the appropriate list:

Alcohol->Liquor list
Wine->Liquor list
Mixers->Non-Perishables list
Garnishes->Perishables list

Take stock of the following items and add them to the appropriate list, if needed:

Cooking equipment needed
Serving

Trays
Dishes
Utensils

Glassware
Place settings: dishes & utensils
Tablecloths and napkins
Large water pitcher
At the bar:

Bar supplies
Pitchers:

Specialty drink
Juices & mixers
Liquid waste at the bar

Fire extinguisher

Begin stockpiling ice in large bags
Label serving dishes and pitchers to avoid confusion later
Determine any household, cleaning, and home improvement supplies
Check indoor & outdoor lighting and walkways for needed repairs
Buy Decorations & Supplies
Reserve any needed rental supplies
Install dimmer (rheostat) switches
Polish any silver you will be using

1 Week Ahead

Review/Revise your menu and adjust shopping lists
If grilling, check propane, charcoal, and/or lighter fluid
Launder tablecloths, napkins, towels, rugs
Iron tablecloths and napkins
Check weather & plan outfit
Drop-off dry cleaning
Create music playlist
Buy Non-perishables
Buy Liquor and wine
Order flowers, if applicable
Thorough house cleaning

3-4 Days Ahead

Clean fireplace, if needed
Pick up dry cleaning
Prepare anything you can freeze (this may require an extra trip to the grocery to buy some perishables on your list)

2-3 Days Ahead

Clean/mow/trim/shovel outside areas including front walk, mat, and door

2 Days Ahead

Clean out your refrigerator and eliminate all odors
Upload/clear out pictures in camera
Arrange furniture, stereo and lighting
Start placing decorations
Fill salt & pepper shakers
Make seating chart
Clear area for coats, put out umbrella stand
Confirm rentals
Make sure place settings and serving dishes are clean
Touch up cleaning of house and bathrooms

1 Day Ahead

Throughout the day, add any forgotten items to your Last-minute Items list.

Defrost frozen foods
Buy Perishables
Pick up rentals
Pick up flowers
Prepare sauces, soups, & fillings
Prepare anything that is served chilled
Prepare anything that needs to marinate overnight
Chop, peel, and prepare any fruits & vegetables that you can
Setup the bar including alcohol, unopened mixers and pitchers
Set the table, including aperitif glasses
Set coffee/after-dinner area
Finish setting decorations
Charge camera battery
Mix specialty drink, if applicable
Set fireplace, if using
Remove any “interesting” prescriptions from the medicine cabinet
Stock extra roll of toilet paper in bathrooms
Make a written timeline of all last-minute cooking and serving tasks. This is everything to be done to coordinate cooking and serving the meal. For example, when and what temperature to pre-heat the oven, when to start cooking each item, as well as, which garnish to use on the plate and/or dish.

Day Of Party

Buy Last-minute Items when you need something on the list, otherwise wait until 3 hours before.

Morning:

Prepare garnishes, cover with a wet paper towel
Prep as much of the food as possible

Herb garnishes
Drain ingredients
Pre-cook any food possible
Soften butter & items for cooking
Prepare spreads
Cut vegetables

Afternoon:

Put out any signage
Last minute tidying and spot-check decorations
Empty trash cans, especially bathrooms
Assemble hors d'oeuvre, store on baking sheet in refrigerator
Run dishwasher
Set outdoor decorations & lighting

3 Hours Before:

Buy last-minute items, if any. Make sure you have stockpiled enough ice.
Empty dishwasher and set out bus trays for dirty glasses and trash
Setup kitchen equipment for cooking and pre-labeled dishes for serving
Set coffee maker to start right before dessert course
Put away any valuables

2 Hours Before:

Get yourself ready
Don’t forget your camera

1 Hour Before:

Adjust thermostat. Cooking, guests, candles & stereo will generate extra heat.
Fill water pitcher
Take out anything to be served at room temperature.
Put butter for bread on the table.
Have ingredients ready to cook. Your written timeline should include all cooking and serving steps from this point forward. Use timers.

30 Minutes Before:

Turn on music
Heat water, if cooking pasta later.
Arrange hors d'oeuvres on trays
Turn on and adjust outdoor lighting
Light fireplace, if using
Fill water glasses half-full and refill pitcher with lots of ice, then water
If serving aperitif at room temperature, fill glasses
Open and decant wine
Close off doors and turn off lights in dining room
Mix a cocktail

15 Minutes Before:

Light cocktail hour candles, then adjust dimmers
Fill the ice bucket
Take any chilled mixers and garnishes to the bar, fill pitchers
Remember: never put ice in juice and specialty drink pitchers
Pre-heat oven, if needed

During the Party:

Follow your written timeline for cooking and serving
30 minutes into the cocktail hour serve hors d’oeuvre
Prior to seating:

If serving aperitif chilled, mix and fill glasses
Fill water glasses and refill pitcher
Light dinner table candles
Adjust lighting
Announce dinner

Have fun!