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When You Host a Party, You're Responsible for Your Guests' Safety
A party is a great time to see old friends and meet new people. But it's a fact that alcohol-related accidents kill hundreds of people every year. These tips will help hosts and hostesses plan parties that all guests will enjoy. Consult with your party rental professional for party needs, from tables and chairs to china, glassware, decorations, disposable goods and more.
Before the Party
The best way to avoid the possibility of drunken driving after a party is to take some practical steps before the party begins. As host or hostess, your careful planning can lessen the danger of alcohol abuse. Think about the refreshments you'll serve, and about the way that you will serve them.
1. Always offer food when alcohol is served
Tasty snacks are not only a delicious addition to any party, they can also slow the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol
High-protein foods like cheese and meats are especially good because they stay in the stomach longer than other foods
To make your protein choices interesting, choose an assortment of fresh cheeses with crackers, cheese balls, cheese dips, cheese fondue and cheese pizza
Hard-boiled, pickled or deviled eggs are simple, inexpensive high-protein appetizers
Hors d'oeuvres with meat can include ham or sausage biscuits, Swedish meatballs and broiled chicken livers
Bite-size cold cuts are easy on the budget
If you have a little more to spend, sliced beef or turkey is great, as is seafood like shrimp, lobster and crab meat with a dip
A tray of crisp vegetables like carrots, celery, cauliflower, radishes and even squash with a protein dip like cream cheese or sour cream add variety to your food mix
2. Have several jiggers at the bar so mixed drinks can be measured
Guests are less likely to drink to excess if standard drink measures are used
If guests mix their own drinks, keep a jigger in plain site for their use
Better yet, buy inexpensive self-measuring one-ounce spouts to place on bottles of alcohol
3. If you serve an alcoholic punch, make it with a non-carbonated base
Alcohol is absorbed by the body much faster when combined with a carbonated mixer such as ginger ale
Fruit juice or tea are preferable bases for party punches
4. Have nonalcoholic beverages available
It's highly likely that some of your guests will not wish to drink alcohol
Persons taking certain medications should not consume alcohol - make it easier for them to comply with doctor's orders
Serve soft drinks, coffee or a nonalcoholic punch
During the Party
When guests arrive, be sure they are aware of all their eating and drinking options. Although you want your guests to enjoy themselves, you don't want them to overdo it.
1. Don't force drinks on your guests
Don't rush to refill guests' glasses the minute they become empty
Be aware that many guests will accept drinks they really don't want to avoid appearing rude to the host or hostess
2. Stop serving alcohol at least an hour before the party is to end
During the last hour, put out coffee or some other nonalcoholic beverage
Top off the evening with a special food feature like pizza or quiche
Be mindful, neither coffee nor any other drink will help a person sober-up - only time can do that
By emphasizing nonalcoholic drinks toward the end of the party, you give your guests extra time for their bodies to absorb the alcohol they have consumed
3. If you observe a guest drinking too much
Try to engage him or her in conversation to slow down consumption
Offer food that will also slow down the rate at which the body is absorbing alcohol
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Invitations/Announcements
Order your wedding invitations, announcements and other stationery
about three months in advance. Address both inner and outer
envelopes by hand. Now is a convenient time to select "thank
you" notes, as well.
Mail
your invitations about a month before the wedding date. Allow
about two weeks for replies. At that time, give your caterer
the final number of reception guests you're expecting.
The day after the ceremony, mail wedding announcements to
those not invited to the events.
Caterers/Photographers/Florists
/Musicians
Select your caterer, photographer, florist and musicians at
least three months in advance of the wedding. At that time,
supply your caterer an estimated number of guests from the
list you have compiled. In general, count on about 75 percent
of the number of people you plan to invite. Since your wedding
is a once-in-a-lifetime event, choose a professional wedding
photographer. If you are planning to have music at your wedding
and/or reception, also finalize these plans at least three
months in advance.
Displaying
Gifts
Wedding gifts generally are displayed in the bride's home
beginning six weeks to a month before the ceremony. It is
not considered proper to attach name cards to the gifts. To
make an artistic display, group china items together with
silver, and show crystal and linen items in separate groupings.
Duplicates should not be displayed. Contact your rental center
for 6-foot or 8-foot banquet tables. Add rental table risers
to create an elegant display.
Transportation/Accommodations
The bride's family is responsible for arranging the wedding
party's transportation to and from the church, and for arranging
accommodations for bridesmaids and out-of-town guests.
Out-of-town guests generally pay for their own accommodations.
Guests are expected to provide their own transportation to
and from the church and to the reception.
If desired and possible, it's tradition for the bride to pay
for bridesmaids' hotel rooms.
Rehearsal
Dinner
The wedding rehearsal is most often held the afternoon or
evening on the day before the wedding. It is customary for
the groom's parents to host and pay for the rehearsal dinner
for the entire bridal party.
The
Reception
Contact your wedding rental professional as early as possible
to discuss ysour options for reception decorating, furnishing
and equipment needs. At that time, provide a good estimate
of the number of guests attending. Generally, you can expect
about 75 percent of the number of people invited. Two weeks
before the reception contact your rental professional to provide
a final guest count.
If you are planning to have music at your reception, finalize
these plans at least three months in advance.
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