Shecky’s

Now that you’ve sent out the invitations, chosen a theme and bought the decorations (see Emillio’s tips on planning and cooking for the perfect Labor Day party), it’s time to brush up on your party etiquette. Do you fancy yourself little Miss Manners? Well, see hospitality expert Emillio Mesa’s party dos, and tell us if you agree!

A Labor Day weekend party may be a casual get-together, but there are always certain rules to follow when hosting an event. I’ve listed my etiquette tips below as a helpful reminder as you prepare for your big bash. Some of these might seem like common sense, but many times it’s the little things we forget!

-Greet all your guests. Sometimes guests can slip in while you’re busy hosting and double-checking that everything is party-perfect. Don’t let them! Make every guest feel special by taking the time to greet them and letting them know how glad you are that they came.

-Be cheerful and pleasant at all times. …Even if Aunt Nelly starts criticizing your decorations/recipe/outfit, don’t let her get to you! If you start to seem upset or frazzled, your guests will feel the tension.

-Introduce everybody to each other. Even if certain guests may already know one another, reiterating intros will help everyone recall each other’s names and make sure no awkwardness ensues.

-Keep the food and drinks coming. Not only does it give your guests a delectable activity to keep their hands busy, but we don’t want any low blood-sugar levels ruining the day!

-Keep circulating. Nothing’s worse than going to a party where the host hangs around the same group of people the entire time. A good hostess will make her best effort to show all her guests personalized attention.

-Have at least one planned activity. This way if people aren’t mixing well or there’s a party lull, you’ll have a fun quick-fix already tucked away and ready to whip out.

-Prep for kids. If little ones are coming, have kid-friendly food ready and an activity planned for the munchkins. This will allow their parents to take a breather and enjoy your bash even more.

-Pay attention to your guests’ needs. Even the best hostess can’t possibly anticipate every demand, but stay aware and try to accommodate everyone to the best of your ability.

-See all guests off. Just as you took the time to greet all your party-goers, be sure to thank them for coming and see them off. A personalized hello and good-bye are keys to successful hosting.

-Emillio Mesa of Brunch Republik

Emillio Mesa has spent the past 11 years as a professional Events Director for hotspots such as Cain (NYC, The Hamptons and Miami); an Events Planner for corporate luxury goods, celebrities and weddings for clients such as Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Mont Blanc, Armani Exchange and Donald Trump to name a few; and as Head Concierge where he launched three of the most exclusive hotel properties in NYC.

This tri-lingual and international traveler counts global pop culture, cuisine, entertainment and film as his personal passions. As a TV host/producer, storyteller, idea generator, planner, artist, and (most importantly) specialist for the hospitality and lifestyle sectors, he has been profiled by Vogue, Metrosource, New York Observer, Biz Bash and Club Systems Intl. He is the Founder and Creative Director of BRUNCH REPUBLIK (a site based on the principles of The Lost Art of Hospitality with interviews, customer service tales,”hidden gems” and “Citizens”). In his role as arbiter of the New Young Philanthropists, he is presenting an exclusive cause-related art salon that will rotate “The Brunch” series.

For more info travel to: BrunchRepublik.com
Follow: facebook.com/Emillio.Mesa and twitter.com/EmillioMesa

Girl Talk Time: What do you think of Emillio’s party etiquette tips? Would you add anything? What are your plans for the holiday weekend?