How to Host a Chic Summer Soirée

We know, we know. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself and envision all of the gorgeous table linens and glassware you’ll purchase for a party-perfect tablescape (and don’t worry, we’ll get to that). But hosting a dinner party without a menu is not the way to go. And one of the best ways to get motivated to menu plan is by stocking your kitchen with the best cookware you can find. Our personal favorite brand is Caraway Home, a nontoxic cookware line that’s not only wonderfully functional but also available in a rainbow of Instagram-ready hues. Splurge on their cookware set ($395) in Perracota if you’re ready to give your kitchen a cheerful upgrade. If that’s not in your budget, save on an equally colorful 17-piece set from Greenpan. We promise you’ll find yourself cooking more.

Before we leave you to host, consider a few more thoughtful touches from our favorite hostesses. 

Menu Mementos:  British hostess extraordinaire Rosanna Falconer, known for her tablescapes, always provides a handwritten menu, for guests to stow as a keepsake (and even frame, if the dinner is that epic). On that note, personalized place cards are a go-to for avoiding any awkward conversations or feelings of exclusion when the time comes to sit for dinner. 

Common Scents: You may have heard of the phenomenon of scenting a wedding, and there’s no reason that shouldn’t extend to your dinner party, too. With that said, we never recommend scenting the area where you’re eating, because the delicious aromas of your food wafting through the air should be the star of the show, but there’s something to be said for a lightly perfumed appetizer area. We recommend a summer-forward orange blossom scent (our favorite comes from French brand Lola James Harper) or a fresh aroma that calls clean linens to mind, like Apothia’s famous BRONZED scent.  

Think before you bloom: We love a gorgeous floral tablescape as much as the next person. But there’s really nothing more awkward than straining to make conversation with a vision-blocking vase in your way. If you’re putting flowers on your table, opt for single blooms in small bud vases. Flowers should be an accent on the table, not the star of the show.