Essential Party Tips

Party-To-Go

Here are a few articles from the experts at Essential to help you plan your next party like a pro.

Graduation Day Extravaganza

Graduation day is near for local high school and college graduates – and what better way to celebrate their hard work, achievements and future than hosting a party dedicated to them? Here are some ideas we've gathered from over 16 years of helping plan graduation parties for clients and our own families!read more »

So you're engaged. Now what?

As scary as it sounds, with careful planning and help from the right sources, planning your wedding can be one of the most fun and enjoyable experiences of your life. So where do you start? Here are some tips and ideas that will help you get the ball rolling on your wedding plans.read more »

Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
By Jennifer Delaye, President of JDK Catering

Although planning a bar mitzvah may seem like a challenging task, if you stay organized and plan ahead, you're sure to pull off a wonderful event the celebrates this momentous occasion in style. Here are a few tips from event expert Jen Delaye of JDK Catering to help you get started. read more »

Tis the Season for Festive Holiday Parties

Party planner extraordinaire Jen Delaye, President and Owner of JDK Catering, says that you can avoid the holiday "bah humbugs," though, by planning ahead and staying organized. Here are her tips for throwing a successful holiday party.read more »

Ten Ways to Survive Your Company's Holiday Party

How can you get through your holiday office party without the worry of embarrassing moments (or even worse, pictures) coming back to haunt you? Here are some tips from expert party planner Jen Delaye, President and Owner of JDK Catering, to help you survive.read more »

SuperBowl Party Planning Tips

Want to host a SuperBowl party that will make you the envy of the neighborhood (even those pesky neighbors that won tickets to the actual game)?! With a little pre-party planning and creativity, you'll be on your way to SuperBowl (party) fame.read more »

Planning a Memorial Day Picnic

How can you make sure your summer starts off right? Here are some of the tips from local catering expert (and party planner extraordinaire) Jennifer Delaye of JDK Catering that will make sure your Memorial Day – and other summer outings for that matter – go off with a bang.read more »

Independence Day Cook Out Tips

What other day but the 4th of July can you expect to have fun in the sun, enjoy a cookout with family and friends, and watch a spectacular fireworks display from just about anywhere? As you gear up to host friends and family for the big backyard July 4th bash, here are a few ideas to help make sure your cookout goes off with a bang!read more »

How to choose the right linens for your table

Special events look their best when you know how to match the right linens with your tables. Our linen size chart will help you get the look you want, from festive to formal.read more »

Random Party Tips...

If I am having a buffet dinner how many plates should I order?
To allow for seconds you should generally order 1.25 plates per guest. This may change if you are serving multiple main courses.

If I am using small plates and creating "stations" for my buffet how many plates should I order?
A good guestimate is approximately 5 plates per person. Other factors to think about that may increase or decrease the number are how many stations are serving at the same time, how long is the event, do guests come and go or will they remain in the same area for the entire event.

I am having a party for 250 people how much space will I need?
Dinner parties require approximately 20 square feet per person. You would need a space that is approximately 50 feet wide by 100 feet long. Obviously these dimensions will change depending on the size of your tables, if you are going to have a dance floor, etc. A cocktail party typically requires about half the space.


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