4 weeks in advance: Decide what to serve and cook a test meal to make sure everything works. Don’t use your dinner party to try something for the first time. To avoid nasty surprises ask your guests about allergies, intolerances, and other dietary restrictions so that you can create a menu that works for everyone.
Once the menu is set, check that you have the appropriate dishware available. Use nice serving dishware for starters, a special basket for bread and little bowls to provide butter for the bread etc. Want a little more variety? You could go for unusual serving dishes. And mixing modern with vintage pieces makes your decoration more interesting as well.
Decide about aperitif and digestive, alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic options and try to hold available some alternatives. Not a wine expert? Ask around for advice to find the perfect wine and check for appropriate glasses.
Sugar, spice and all things nice. What’s better than a stunning dessert to finish your evening in style? A crunchy-and-custardy crème brûlée or a fruity Manuka honey cheesecake with raspberries, for example.