Hosting Art Salon, Pot lucks, Receptions Handling Evites RSVPS for VIP's

WH on Cottage, Popup Gallery Opening Night.

 In this age of FACEBOOK and EMAILS, many invitations go unanswered or answered and forgotten, and most of all, not communicating with the host when they decide they're not going after replying that you are.

ETIQUETTE/REFERENCE

Entertaining has become more a chore than a pleasure, I just want to relax and enjoy the party. So I went, to my bookshelf and pulled out Emily Post’s book on Entertaining. The etiquette of entertaining begins with this code of behavior and continues with those guidelines that enable you to be self-confident and comfortable in any social situation, whether it be a backyard barbecue or a formal ball.

Invitations and Reply’s

When inviting friends to an informal dinner, barbecue or small gathering for cocktails or dessert and coffee, a telephone invitation is appropriate. Send an invitation by mail if you are honoring a special guest or in celebration of an event, salon series, reception preferably send by mail, You should reply as soon as possible so that the host can plan accordingly.

“I sent out eight personal invitations for my 1st Sunday Salon Series I’m hosted this month. I only planned for eight guests, and their plus ones. I called each guest, first verbally invite them, then to follow-up on the verbal invite. I filled in the blank lines by hand and waited for replies.  I also, sent an electronic invitation by email so I could share the menu, and suggested side items they each could contribute. 

Feb 05, 2018, Sunday Salon Series, guest  Nicole M. Davis, (Culinary artist, AIR at Bronzeville Artist Lofts), Alan Emerson Hicks (Curator, Artist/Sculpture), Patric McCoy  (Collector Diaspora Rhythm), and Aaron Petty (Preparator at Gallery Guichard). We gather informally around the wet bar, which functions as a focal point in the gallery for the art of entertaining, culinary art, preparing food, and plating with the guest. 

Because my gallery practice gives so many art openings and receptions, cocktail parties, trolley tours, and open studios. I felt like I wanted the 1st of the month social experience to be more intimate with artist talks, it's important for me to balance the room and share a planned menu.

South Side Host Passport, Airbnb Host 1st Holiday Meetup

What kinds of social events require an invitation in return? Parties in private homes, whether luncheons, brunches, cocktails, or dinner parties, do require a return invitation.

BYOB- “Bring your own bottle”, you can take it with you when you leave, or leave it for the host. The bar shelf is fully stocked with glassware of various types, and plasticware from Bombay Shappire parties. I frown on giving guests plastic cups, or foam cups.

BYOF- “Bring your own food”, it’s rare to see it written on invitations, say “potluck”, or “chips-in-dinner”.  It's okay to say it when you are having a meetup at one of the many Movies in the Parks, Jazz in the Parks,  Jazz at the Museum, and an outing where the guest has selected a social experience out and about. 

I use Evite online invitations and ask my guest to Sign Up to Bring Something.