Planning an Upmarket Dinner Party

When planning your event, catering equipment can make or break your party. Choosing the right glassware, linen, furniture and china can be a daunting experience and it helps to know that you can choose a themed party where all these elements are put together stylishly. All you have to do is choose the right theme to suit your event.

There is more to glassware than you think! Firstly, choosing the correct wine glasses takes a bit of knowhow and the key is to do your research. An upmarket event will in no doubt draw the attention and criticism of self proclaimed wine connoisseurs - impress them, and you have got it made.

For Red Wine:
Large bowl style glasses work well for red wine; the bigger surface area releases the fruity, spicy notes of red wine, enhancing its flavours. The Savoie Red Wine glass is a good choice for red wine and fits most table and china sets.

For White Wine:
A taller, smaller bowled glass will help keep the wine chilled while directing the crisp, light aromas of white wine to the nose and palate. The Aquataine White Wine glass is a great choice for white wine and also works as an elegant water glass. Make sure you have a look at all the many different styles available from your glassware hire company.

Champagne and Dessert Wines
A champagne flute is easy enough to choose and crystal champagne flutes are the way to go, the Stendhal Flute will lend its elegance to any china and glassware set. For sherry and port wines go for the Stendhal port glass or similar.

When looking for furniture hire for your event, keep in mind its functionality, practicality and design. Choose the furniture while keeping your guests and goals of the event in mind, for a garden or park venue, garden chairs and tables with large parasols make for a festive and relaxed setting. Gas heaters are also a great party saver if the weather turns out chilly or for winter events. For a more urban, loft style event, funky padded seats make for a stylish retro feel, while adding a relaxed, yet modern ambience to the area. Getting a good chair hire company to take care of this will be a weight off your shoulders, and most furniture hire companies will be able to help with choosing the right equipment for your event.

High fashion furniture is a must if you are hosting a glamorous event, go for high back, modern and elegant chairs if you want your event to impress, and you don't have to compromise comfort with style when it comes to tables and chairs if you are using an experienced furniture hiring company.

Cocktails, wine, snacks and conversation, the bar is where many of your guests will frequent during the event; it is important that the equipment here is top of the range, stylish and of course sparklingly clean. A specialist in bar equipment hire will have all the necessary items you will need, and can also offer invaluable advice on which items to choose especially when it comes to etiquette with wine and champagne serving. You don't have to be embarrassed to ask for help with choosing the right ice bucket!

Bone China is a great choice when looking at crockery hire options and is not only beautiful, but also a very strong porcelain. From Georgian Fine Bone China to cheerfully colourful cups and plates, the goal is to complement the setting and not to overpower or distract. Platinum Ring Bone China dinner plates are a favourite choice for elegant events. A new trend is the square china plates that work perfectly with sushi, the Bamboo Sushi Dinner plate is highly recommended if you're going for an Oriental theme.

• Make sure all the hired catering equipment and accessories are in the same condition as when you hired them, damaged or missing pieces could mean the loss of your deposit if you have hired kitchen equipment.


• Send unique Thank You notes to the people that helped make the event a success, publicists or to guests who attended.


• Make use of eco-friendly and water wise methods for cleaning up after the event, most catering equipment companies offer a washing up service that is more efficient especially if you have made use of a linen hire company.


• Remember to settle all debts, whether you have to pay the catering companies, waitrons, kitchen staff or valets, make sure that everyone is paid on time as you will be sure to have a dedicated group of people to work with on your next event.


• Do not publish pictures of guests without getting their consent or permission from their publicists (if they are high profile people).


• A successfully wrapped up event will be your blueprint for the next one. You do need to be able to modify your way of working to suit each event.