As trends in entertainment continue to evolve (take the butter board phenomenon, for instance), one timeless tradition that remains steadfast is the art of hosting a memorable dinner party. Southerners, in particular, excel in this age-old ritual. We enchant our guests with meticulously arranged tables adorned with fine china and elegant linens. A signature cocktail and a fantastic music selection are always on deck to keep the mood lively. And, of course, no detail is overlooked—fresh flowers and flickering candles are a must to create the perfect ambiance. There’s no denying that we have the knack for throwing a spectacular dinner party, but when is the optimal moment to do so? To put it succinctly: What is the ideal hour to host a dinner party? Should the guests arrive at 6, or does dinner kick off at 8? To uncover the truth, we consulted with party planning and etiquette professionals who were eager to impart their insights.
- Virginia Frischkorn is the visionary founder and CEO of Partytrick, a groundbreaking tech platform redefining the event industry, making the planning and execution of meticulously curated events both accessible and convenient for all. With a background of 14 years as a luxury wedding and event planner, Virginia calls Aspen and Denver, Colorado, home.
- Jackie Vernon-Thompson is a certified etiquette authority and the creative force behind From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. Based in Sunrise, Florida, Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
- Heather Wiese is the pioneering founder of Bell’INVITO, a distinguished lifestyle brand, and a co-host of the podcast Social In Security. As an etiquette expert, she contributes regularly to national magazines and television, penning a monthly etiquette column for PaperCity in Texas. Heather is a Dallas, Texas, resident.
Our panel of experts unanimously agrees that the prime time to kick off a dinner party is at 7 p.m. “This hour hits the sweet spot—it’s early enough to satisfy appetites yet late enough to allow for the gradual unwinding of a busy workday,” remarks Virginia Frischkorn, the entrepreneurial head of event software company Partytrick and a seasoned 14-year planner in the luxury event sector.
Heather Wiese, the esteemed etiquette columnist and founder of the lifestyle brand Bell’INVITO, concurs that 7 p.m. is the golden hour for hosting a dinner party, with some flexibility before and after. “When I’m hosting a dinner party on a weeknight, I typically suggest arriving any time after 6:30 p.m., with dinner set for 7:30. It’s important to give guests ample time to wrap up their day. Offering a flexible arrival window is considerate. Even with a small group of friends, everyone has varying needs, so 7 p.m. seems to be the sweet spot,” she elaborates.
Jackie Vernon-Thompson, the esteemed etiquette expert and founder of From The Inside-Out School of Etiquette, emphasizes that a 7 p.m. start time is accommodating to the diverse schedules of guests. “A standard routine includes working during the day, running errands, arriving home to freshen up, and then considering the host’s commute,” she explains. “Taking all these factors into account, 7 p.m. emerges as the ideal time.”
Although our experts collectively suggest 7 p.m. as the best time for a dinner party, they also highlight that various factors should be considered before settling on an hour. Wiese points out that timing often depends on location, with events in the North typically starting later and those in the South beginning earlier. “In the South, a weeknight dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a weekend dinner at 7:30 p.m. are ideal,” she explains. “In a bustling city like New York, however, I would recommend pushing that back by about 30 minutes.”
Frischkorn’s top tip for planning a dinner party is to consider the life stages of most of your guests. For instance, if most guests have young children, a 5 p.m. Sunday supper might be preferable to avoid clashing with school and activity schedules. However, if children are not involved, a later start time and a weeknight dinner may be more suitable to keep weekend schedules open for other social engagements.
Another consideration when planning the timing of your dinner party is the type of dinner you’re aiming for. Will it include cocktails followed by dinner? Are you planning to engage in post-dinner conversation? Will it be a plated or buffet-style dinner? Vernon-Thompson advises that each of these elements should be accounted for before finalizing the time.
“If your dinner includes multiple courses, it’s essential to consider that the dining experience will be longer than a buffet-style meal, as each course is served only after the previous one is completed,” says Vernon-Thompson. For a multi-course seated dinner, she recommends starting slightly earlier to prevent a rushed meal and to ensure ample time for mingling before and after the meal.
