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These days, people’s lives are so busy you should give them two or more weeks notice even for informal dinner parties.
The sooner you know the guest list, the sooner you can start checking off your tasks.
Advance notice is even more important if you are only having six people. If one couple declines, you still have time to invite other people to round out your table.
If you find out that someone has a food allergy or special regime, you can make adjustments to your menu in plenty of time.
The advantage of inviting by telephone. Telephoning is simple and efficient. It gives you a chance to check right away whether your guests have any food preferences or allergies. It also gives you a chance to suggest how you would like your guests to dress. Perhaps this time you want people to dress up a little more than usual. It’s easy to give them the lead by saying something like “Let’s go a little dressy this time instead of casual. I’ll be wearing….”
The treat of inviting by mail. Sometimes you may feel like sending out printed invitations just for the fun of being a little more formal. Most people enjoy opening the mail and finding a dinner invitation instead of junk mail. They can prop their invitation up on a mantel or on their desk and enjoy anticipating the dinner party every time they glance at it.
There are lots of choices of invitation styles in the stationery stores. You need one that has a space for date, time, RSVP request and space to set a deadline for replying. If directions to your house are complicated, choose a style that gives you room to give enough details on how to get to your place.
Address the envelope only to the person you are inviting. If you are inviting a couple, mention them both on the envelope.
Why to avoid asking for Regrets Only. For your own peace of mind, make sure you set a deadline for replying. But don’t use an invitation style that asks for Regrets Only. Someone may not be planning to come, but for some reason doesn’t get around to sending regrets. You don’t want to end up planning and shopping for the”phantom guest” –the one who didn’t send their regrets but isn’t coming either.
Online "e-vites" are fun and efficient too. Another option is to send an online invitation. You can send a simple e-mail, but there are online sites that offer a little more. Sites like Evite.com let you send out invitations by email. Then you can keep track of responses on a special web page. Your guests can see the guest list as well, and they can download directions to your house if necessary.
Feel free to follow up a print or on-line invitation with a phone call. You can tell your guests how happy you are they are able to come. Then you can check on any food preferences or alerts they may have, and mention dress code.
These days any of these methods is acceptable for all but the most formal of dinner parties.
However you invite people, make sure you have their responses well in advance. When you know who is coming, you can move ahead with your tasks smoothly and efficiently. You can start ticking off menu planning, shopping and many other advance tasks in plenty of time.
Remember, settling your guest list well in advance is one of the keys to staying relaxed and unstressed.
So do yourself a Dinner Party Planning favor. Get those invitations out in plenty of time!
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