Throw an elegant party that will make your guests feel as if they are attending the most stylish event of the season. Dust off the fine china, silver, linens and get ready for party time. Elegance doesn't mean expensive either. Even while sticking to a budget, you can throw a stylish gathering that your guests will remember fondly for years to come.
Menu Cards
An elegant party can include stylish menu cards with each guest's place setting. An individual menu card gives guests an idea of which culinary delight comes next in the meal and adds that special touch of refinement.
Designing and creating the cards are easy. Select a paper color from the local stationery store, choose a heavy card stock and a color that will easily display black ink and size your menu card template on your computer and print. Standing the menu cards in front of wine glasses or simply laying them on top of the plates will add a touch of elegance.
If you aren't having a full-scale dinner party but just appetizers and drinks, you can create smaller cards to identify different wines and foods you offer on the buffet table.
Music
The mood is also important for an elegant gathering. Live classical music is the perfect touch to set the scene for an upscale, refined evening. Hire a string quartet or harpist to perform during the party, during cocktail hour or throughout dinnertime, and suggest that the musicians wear evening gowns or black tuxedos to blend well with your event. Many local colleges have lists of music and symphony students who provide this service at a lower rate.
Theme
A theme is a good way to add a touch of fun to an elegant party. For a black-tie theme, you can ask guests to come dressed in black tie and evening gowns to set the scene for an upscale affair. The black-tie theme can be taken one step further to include a subtheme of the Roaring '20s or a James Bond event. For a high tea theme, get out your special English Tea and serve finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and sweets such as cakes or cookies. Ask guests to come dressed in their best dress and favorite hat. An elegant wine and cheese party can also set the scene for a lovely evening. Wine selections range from Reds to Beaujolais, and there are a variety of cheeses such as brie, chevre, baby Swiss or mild cheddar.
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