Everything you need to host a party at home — in one place. Whether you’re planning a small dinner for 10 or a medium gathering of 50, this planning hub brings together practical guides, curated tools, and real-world insights to help you design events.
Wine pairing is at the heart of what we do, but the planning principles here work for any home host. Start here, and plan with intention.
| CATEGORIES- CLICK TO JUMP TO SECTION |
| Hosting & Planning Guides |
| Party Theme Ideas |
| How to Budget for a Party |
| Party Menu Planning and Wine Pairing |
| Party Prep, Timing & Checklists |
| Party Stories – Behind-the-Scenes from Actual Events |
Hosting and Planning Guides
Hosting Guides, Organization, and Tips Effortless Entertaining
- How to Start Planning a Party: 5 Essential Questions to Ask First
Five key decisions will shape everything about your party — and getting clear on them up front saves you hours (see full article for a deep dive into each topic):- What is Your Party About? Are you celebrating something? Is your event going to be a fundraiser? You’ll want to convey the purpose of your party to your guests.
- When Will You Have Your Party? You don’t have an exact date yet, it is easier to start broad.
- Where Will You Have Your Party? Are opting for a home-based venue or a third-party venue? Create a check list of what you are looking for and what you need it to have.
- How Many and Who to Invite to Your Party? The total headcount impacts your budget and time. Prioritize your guest list and stagger your invites, giving you some time to adjust based on responses.
- How Much is Your Party Budget? List out all of the things you will need and prioritize the most important elements. Budget categories may include: Venue, Invites, Decor, Food & Drink, Entertainment, Serving Supplies, Staff, Rentals, and Misc.
- Read the full article for more details and tips on each of these questions.
Party Theme Ideas
Explore party theme ideas that guide your menu, decor, and wine choices into one clear, memorable experience.
- Five Wine Pairing Themes to Elevate Your Party
Take your wine pairing event to the next level with a themed menu. Get the details on each theme with full menus and recommended supplies. - Ten Fun Wine Party Themes
Fun, approachable, and easy to customize themes whether you’re hosting ten guests or thirty. Each theme details food ideas, wine suggestions and decor recommendations to bring the theme to life.
How to Budget for a Party
Spend where it matters, avoid hidden costs, and plan realistically for food and wine.
- Party Budget Guide: How to Plan a Small to Medium Sized Parties
A practical guide to hosting a small-to-medium party without the financial hangover. Get in-depth details for each of these considerations:- How Setting a Party Budget First Saves You Money.
- How to Break Down Your Party Budget by Category.
- Food & Drink: The Biggest Line in Any Party Budget.
- Venue & Setup: The Hidden Budget Eater.
- Decorations: High Impact, Low Cost.
- Small vs. Medium Party Budget: What to Expect
- Party Budget Checklist for 10 to 50 guests
- (full article for details and tips)
Party Menu Planning and Wine Pairing
Build menus that balance flavor, timing, and pairing potential—whether you’re serving multiple courses, grazing boards, or small bites designed to complement wine.
- Wine Pairing Menus (themed) – full-course menus used at previous parties
For every wine pairing event, I put together a new menu with new dishes. Some favorite flavors may be repeated, but they are expressed… (read more) - How to Plan a Hyper Local Themed Menu
Hyper Local is the theme to support our local, privately-owned small businesses. Plus, it encourages our guests…(read more) - Creating Old World vs. New World Themed Menu
My process for how I work build the menu for theme of Old World wines to their “New World” counterparts at each course in a six-course pairing menu. (read more)
Party Prep, Timing and Checklists
Preparation is the secret ingredient. Learn how to plan ahead, break tasks into manageable steps, and host calmly on the day of your event.
- 4-week lead-up calendar template
- How to time your wine pairing courses
Party Stories: Behind-the-Scenes from Actual Events
Real-life experiences from my wine pairing party events, each a unique theme and menu. I share my stories through planning, testing recipes, dealing with challenges, mistakes to avoid and what I learned to do better.
My First Big Event
Everyone has that first time they undertake something a bit bigger than themselves. I go through what I did my first time out with simple recipe hacks and a lot of tips learned along the way. Good read for beginners.
Paddy Party
A nod to St. Patrick’s Day, in this event I really focused in improving my plating techniques which went over really well. Also learn to be a gorgeous braised corned beef. This was also my first time doing everything gluten-free
Molecular Magic Show
Greatly inspired by wanting to learn all sorts of molecular gastronomy techniques. Fruit caviars, flavored powders, gels, noodles, color changers, foam of anything. I may have went a little overboard, but there’s several tricks I still use today.
Southern Hemisphere
Lovely exploration of food and wines from countries seated below the equator. It was a blast learning dishes from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile. It was a bit tricky doing it all gluten free, find out how I managed it!
Wonderful Washington
An ode to my home state, where there are over 1,000 licensed wineries, making it the second-largest wine-producing state in the US. Paired this with local ingredients and flavors in these parts.
Old World vs. New World
Comparing traditional old world wines (European) to new world wines from any other location (U.S., Australia, New Zealand, South America). Menu also incorporated old world dishes with modern twist.
Hyperlocal
Focus on using local sources and business for both wine and food. I used neighborhood shops, locally sourced groceries, farmer’s markets and even my own garden for key ingredients.
Tour of Italy
Tasting dishes and wine from specific regions of Italy. Starting with Southern regions, making our way up the western coastline, and up across northern Italy. Buon appetito!
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