7 Common Hosting Mistakes to Avoid at Your Next Party, According to Event Planners

Hosting a party of any size—whether it's your extended family for Thanksgiving or your college roommates' annual reunion—can feel like it requires an overwhelming amount of planning. From knowing when to send the invitations (and if you should!) and how to set up the bar to ordering the right number of glasses and remembering an extra trash can, keeping the details of your event on track is key to a successful gathering. And it's not always easy.

To stay a step ahead, we asked event experts to lay out the most common obstacles that trip up both amateur and experienced hosts so that you can learn from everyone else's mistakes—instead of making your own.

Sending Invites Out Too Late

Wondering why your RSVP "Yes" list feels a little thin? "Impromptu gatherings are fun in theory, but if you do not provide enough notice you may end up partying solo," says Liz Curtis, entertaining expert and founder of table setting rental company Table and Teaspoon. Whether you opt for paper invites, a social media link, or a text, make sure guests know about your gathering three to six weeks in advance.

Once your invite is out, don't let your communication lapse, says Virginia Frischkorn, award-winning event planner and founder of Partytrick. "We suggest setting reminders to communicate with guests to collect attendance and suggest attire," she says. "Well-informed guests are much more comfortable and ready to enjoy the party!"

Overdoing the Menu

Nothing tanks your enjoyment of a party faster than being stuck in the kitchen all night—or realizing the showpiece entrée you worked so hard on fell apart, burned, or tastes bland. "I never like to serve something to guests that I haven't tested first," says Frischkorn. "Mastering a recipe—even one that says it's 'easy'—can be hard."

The key to a great party meal is simplicity—which is good advice to remember, especially if you're a beginner (or not super savvy in the kitchen). "Comfort is key for food, so don't feel that you need to go all out on a recipe that takes five minutes on television, but will actually take you six hours in the kitchen," says Curtis. She recommends picking one "shining star" per course—your grandmother's Bolognese, an iced-to-perfection cake, or homemade Caesar dressing—and leaving the rest to catering, delivery, or the supermarket. "For example, rather than a plethora of your standard nibbles, I like to keep it simple and luxurious with caviar, pop chips, Meyer lemon creme fraîche, and vodka or Champagne," she says.

Skipping Elevated Tableware

One of the easiest ways to elevate your affair is by trading paper napkins for cloth, says Curtis. "The cocktail and dinner napkins you choose will be in your guest's hands the entire evening," she says. "It's an easy way to set an elegant tone for your party without much effort."

The same is true of glassware and flatware: Instead of offering plastic disposables, rent more sustainable—and more sophisticated—glass, silver, or china. "If you are serving multiple courses, make sure that you provide the number and types of flatware pieces needed for each course," says Curtis. "For larger-scale entertaining, do not presume that each guest will responsibly use a single glass for the length of the party. Rule of thumb is to have one glass per guest per hour for your party; if you are hosting a three hour open house for thirty friends, you will need ninety glasses."

Forgetting a Trash Can

Placing a few extra trash cans (and bags) around your party space cuts your clean-up time, since guests can take the initiative to handle their own disposables. "[Trash is] often forgotten, as it's one of the less glamorous things to consider when planning an event," says Frischkorn. "We like to consider having trash out of sight but also easy to find for guests. No one feels comfortable leaving garbage at another’s home, and having easy to access trash receptacles helps your clean-up—and your guests' comfort."

Not Stocking the Bar Correctly

Two guidelines should govern your bar service planning: First, not everyone likes to drink what you drink—and second, don't make them wait. Ace the first part by thinking outside your usual cocktail order and stocking your bar with a variety of basic liquors, mixers, and, non-alcoholic options, says Frischkorn. "We find that oftentimes people stock a bar with what they like without contemplating the entire group," she says.

When it comes to the second rule, plan ahead by mixing big-batch cocktails or setting out glasses of wine before your party; this lets guests serve themselves while you're answering the door. "Never, ever make your guests wait for a cocktail," says Curtis.

Skipping a Timeline

Even a simple backyard barbecue benefits from a basic timeline—one where you know when the burgers should start cooking, when you'll prepare the pasta salad, and when you'll serve dessert. More complicated meals and larger guest lists are no different. "A timeline is a great way to make sure you stay on track with your prep and another great reason," says Frischkorn.

Curtis recommends creating a timeline that stops well before your guests show up, allowing you to change your clothes and sip a cocktail (or handle last-minute problems). "I always make sure that everything is ready to go an hour before my guests arrive, so that I have that time to get ready and have a glass of bubbles," she says. "If something goes wrong during the day, it also provides a buffer to problem-solve, even if it means I'm not quite as dressed up when the party starts."

Getting Overwhelmed

The most important thing you can do to make your party a smashing success is sometimes the hardest: You need to have fun. "Almost every host forgets to relax! The difference between an average party and an epic one isn't what you’d imagine: You can have the finest china, vintage bubbles, and hand-shucked oysters, but if your guests didn't have fun because you were frantically trying to make everything perfect, it won't matter," says Curtis. "The feeling you give your guests is what they'll remember. Don't get lost in the hostessing weeds and forget to be present for your own party."

Of course, even if you do make one—or more—of these mistakes (or any other) at your next party, stay calm by reminding yourself of Curtis' mantra: "There's always delivery—and more wine."