Entertaining homes
In the south visitors are welcomed with cold lemonade or sweet tea and a comfy seat. We are born to entertain and raised learning how to do it. Just last Sunday I hosted an epic bridal shower and here are a few things to keep in mind when entertaining in your home!
Did you think I was going to start with the food? Not yet, first things first ZONES!
Zones are the MOST IMPORTANT element of your party. Where are people going to sit? Dance? Go through the buffet or dine with a catered meal? You need at least 2 zones for 10 people or less. 3 zones for 10-20 people. 20-30 people need 4 zones and then for 40+ people at least 5 zones.
When I say 'zones' I am meaning creating a lounge or seating area on the back patio, off the dining room, a dance floor next to the pool or fountain. They don't have to be places you always have seating or designated for that use. But it's always better to have zones where you decide where people will go during the event.
See how this picture shows 3 zones all in one area?
Now we are on to food! More than food service; HOW will your guests eat?
Opening up your home for parties, especially in the south, means indoor and outdoor dining. We need to make sure they have enough space for their plate and relaxing. As well as collecting the food being served. Also, investing in a few high quality chafes will be worth their weight in gold for all your parties. Nothing is worse than a cold steak! (Well there are a lot of worse things in life, but not during a party)!
Temperature
Ever been to a party and it's too hot and sticky? That's a lot more common here than in SLC where I grew up, where you have to worry about freezing. But either way it's miserable and hard to enjoy yourself and your friends. Setting up areas with shade depending on where the sun hits your home is very important. As hot as it is here we can't handle the slightest chill so you will find heaters such as these in most of our outdoor areas.
Overall, if you are shading appropriately and using fans along with ice cold refreshments you should be fine outdoors. You don't want someone to arrive and sit and never move. We want to encourage mingling so make it comfy but not 'I'm going to have a nap' comfy!
Finally for designing a new home with entertaining in mind we often suggest glass doors that fold out of the way to open both zones into each other. These are trending more and more every year and for good reason!
Whether you live in a little cottage or a plantation, entertaining is always a good idea!
XOXO-
Brit
