Great timeline from Epicurious for throwing a fabulous cocktail party and keeping your sanity:
| Four weeks before: |
| • Choose a theme for your event. • Determine where in your home you want to host the party. • Decide on a menu and drinks. • Make a guest list and design the invitation. |
Three weeks before: |
| • Send out invitations (if it's a smaller group of close friends, you can wait until two weeks before). • Create a shopping list and cross-check with your menu. |
Two weeks before: |
| • Plan the layout of and decorations for the party space. • Create a shopping list for any decorating supplies. • Buy, rent, or borrow any extra equipment needed. • Hire a server or bartender if necessary. • Make sure your stereo and speakers are working and create your music playlist. |
One week before: |
| • Verify your guest list and call or e-mail guests you haven't heard from. • Buy any decorations needed except flowers and other perishable items. • Place order with florist. • Purchase ingredients that will keep. • Write a service plan for your party, including how you will prepare before the event and how you will cook the food throughout the week. • Start any possible cooking or food prep. |
Two days before: |
| • Purchase the rest of the food, including perishable items. • Decide what to wear to avoid any last-minute fashion stress. |
One Day before: |
| • Pick up flowers. • Clean up and decorate the party space and bathroom. • Decorate and arrange furniture, food tables, and bar. • Set up the bar or drinks station, making sure you have all the necessary equipment. • Prepare as much as possible from your menu. |
| Day of: |
| several hours before: • Buy ice. • Double-check that you have all the food and supplies you need—this is the time to make a last-minute run to the store. • Finish preparing the food (except last-minute heating and garnishing). • Cut up and prepare all bar garnishes. • Queue up your playlist so it's ready to go. |
| two hours before: • Get yourself ready. • Cool any beverages that need to be chilled. |
| thirty minutes before: • Put finishing touches on food and drinks—to keep hot food hot, store in a 125°F oven until you're ready to serve. • Arrange any room-temperature food on the buffet or food stations. |
| just before the party starts: • Set ice and garnishes on bar. • Turn on music. • Double-check everything, sip a drink, and welcome your guests! |
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