How To Throw A Stylish Cocktail Party

Guests in elegant clothing, soothing background music, indulgent food and superb drinks – these are all the things that spring to mind when you think about a cocktail party. Read on to find out how to get this essential mix of ingredients just right.

Consult your diary

Decide on the time and date of your party. Make it an evening social event as it will be the perfect way for friends to wind down after a day at the office. Cocktail parties are normally held between 6pm and 10pm but if it is in full swing there is no need to cut it off at that time.

Little Black Dress

We all love to dress up but rarely get the opportunity. A sophisticated dress code will help to create the right mood. Make sure you stipulate on your invitations what the dress code is going to be.

Food

An eight course banquet is not required – Hors d’oeurves (canapés) and small portions of food are the order of the day. To match the occasion you will have to look beyond bowls of nuts and offer small quantities of indulgent foods.

Go for caviar on toast, sushi, fresh oysters, strawberries dipped in chocolate etc. About 5 to 10 bites per person would be ideal.

Drinks

Of course the cocktails will be the main attraction. Unless you are a confident mixologist, get an expert in to do it for you. Always make sure you have plenty of ice and suitable glasses; martini in a pint glass won’t really be appropriate. Champagne is always well received either as it is or used in cocktails.

Seating

It is important to provide some seating but don’t go mad. You want people to mix and not sit down in their set social groups. Approximately 1 seat for every 2 guests will be about right.

What else? Well, don’t forget the background music and low lighting. And remember that smiles are contagious so, as the host, smile and relax. This feeling will spread throughout the party.

That’s it, in a nutshell. Go on, have some fun and throw yourself a cocktail party!

The SaVVy Club® – an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.

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The Good Host

If you are the host of the party and want to stipulate a dress code, by all means do. Just spare a thought for your guests. Don’t make up an innovative dress code such as ‘relaxed’ or ‘Sunday casual’ – no one will know what you mean and your guests won’t thank you. To coin a phrase from Donald Rumsfeld, stick to known knowns then everyone will understand. Start using unknown unknowns and there is no telling what will happen.

Also a word of warning if you are holding a fancy dress party – make sure the theme is clearly shown on the invitation and also that it is compulsory. There is nothing worse (or more embarrassing for your guests) if only a handful of people turn up as their favourite Super Heros whilst everyone else is dressed normally.

So there you go, we have now solved the problem of what you will be wearing on your night out. Now all you have to worry about is what you are going to do when you get there. But we have thought of everything. Claim your free guide to the 10 Rules of Socialising. Everything you need to know to mingle successfully, create a good impression and have the time of your life.

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What will you be wearing to Royal Ascot?

The social event season has started. Summer means that we can hope for sun, attend as many social occasions as possible and in that truly British spirit, celebrate come rain or shine.

Simple moments like watching the eights with a glass of Pimms and waving my flag high on the last night of the proms have made summers full of magic. As we move from Glastonbury to Wimbledon to Ascot to The Henley Regatta to Goodwood and to what for me is the finale, the last night of the Proms we go through as many outfits as we do bowls of strawberries and cream and that’s not adding the wedding invites.

Many of us get as excited about what we are wearing to the event as much as attending and why not it is a chance to shine. So how do we shine? When you’re thinking about your outfit think about bringing yourself to the party or which part of yourself you want to bring. As many of the social events have dress codes you may want to tone down parts.

A great way of doing this is to focus on how you want to be seen. Ask yourself what colours mean to you and why? Is pink romantic? Is red sexy to you? Is yellow fun and care free? Once you decide what colours do for you pick how you want to come across and try to include this into your outfit and you will feel that way. This can be the colour of the outfit, the make up or accessories. If you do this you should not end up all in black which for summer is a crime. It is a guarantee that there will be enough people wearing black to hide amongst the crowd. Even if you team a black dress with a bright eye shadow like Mac in lucky jade you will be sure to be celebrating a part of you and showing everyone who you are.

Being unique is what we all are and the look on the faces of two people wearing the same dress shows just how much we hate to be clouded by somebody else but it needn’t be this way.

If you are looking for the perfect dress for you then look out for designers that make made to measure. Your body shape is as unique as you are so why not invest in an outfit made for you. Simone Williams makes a fantastic range that take two weeks to deliver. If you buy vintage you can be sure there will be no copy cats but do not compromise on fit, have your seamstress alter it for you if need be.

To be truly original and one step ahead of everybody else, keep an eye out for up and coming new designers like HEMYCA and prove you are in the know.

In truth you can always avoid the awkward moment of somebody else wearing the same outfit by making it your look. Own the dress by defining how you wear it. Nobody can copy the vintage brooch you are wearing with it, the hat or the beautiful make up in perhaps a clashing colour that they hadn’t thought of. If you have time go in with your outfit to get your make up done, MAC, Shu Uemura or Daniel Sandler at Harrods all provide makeovers that will give your look the edge. If you make fashion your look then this season’s off the shoulder dress or pretty florals will look like they belong to you and nobody else. Think about your look as much as your outfit and will encapsulate the essence of you that nobody else can copy.

Guest Blogger: Nina Edwards.
Be unique at The Look Boutique the home of New Designers

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