Think of what a Manhattan or Hamptons cocktail party would entail – a luxurious scene of drinks flowing, fancy food, and music all served on a shiny scene of sparkling dinnerware and great company. Throwing your own Manhattan themed party can bring this picture to life for you and your friends. By using some creativity and a little time, you can host your own Manhattan/Hamptons style party that will make the headlines.
To keep your place looking swanky and glamorous for your party, decorate it with low lights and silver accents to add a touch of sophistication. Keep your colors simple; for example use black or white tablecloths topped with simple centerpieces. Use a mix of candles and flowers for centerpieces, but be sure that they aren’t too high so guests can see over them and chat with each other. You can be frugal and create your own centerpieces very inexpensively by putting a few candles and decorative stones in a shallow bowl or cutting flowers out of your own garden. Adding the silver accents, such as silver trays, bowls or candles, will give your room that glamorous pop that shouts Manhattan luxury.
The layout of your party needs to have a good flow to encourage guests to move around and mingle. Move bigger furniture to the sides of the room or the perimeter of your outdoor space so people can move about the space easily. Throughout the space, set up different tables with chairs so people can sit and chat or snack. If you don’t have many tables to use, even setting up a few seating areas with only chairs, it is still a good way for people to sit down and enjoy conversation with other guests.
Having good food and drinks to serve is an important element to any party. A simple way to take care of the food and drink for the event is to have it catered. A frugal solution is to make the food yourself. Use your inner Martha Stewart to make cookies to serve. Baking a frozen pizza and cutting it up into little bite size pieces. Mix up some home-made dips and buy or make your own chips. Serve your food in small portions and keep the rest of the food in another room. When the trays start to clear, you’ll have more food to serve and keep your guests munching happily.
Drinks can be made simple by choosing a few cocktails or wines to feature instead of feeling like you need to host a well-stocked bar. Serve your cocktails or wines in decanters to keep the sophisticated flair. For beer and soda, have glasses handy to serve them in so your guests don’t have to drink from the cans or bottles.
With these tips, your bash should go off without any problems and be the glam get-together that keeps everyone talking! Share any other lavish party tips here!
Megan Gates is an active blogger and handles communications on behalf of Elliman.com. She provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to New York Rentals, Manhattan Real Estate, and the latest in architecture, design and fashion. Follow her on Twitter @ MEGatesDesign.
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