Give us a reason, and we’ll plan a dinner party. Birthday? Dinner party. Work promotion? Dinner party. Change-of-the-seasons or just-because? Yes, that sounds like the perfect reason to host a dinner party! There’s something intoxicating about the combination of good food, good friends, and classic hospitality.
Are you dinner-party prepared? Having the right supplies in your entertaining arsenal is crucial to making the experience stress-free and enjoyable. Besides the basics like wine glasses and napkins, there are a few entertaining investment pieces that are worth a splurge. Use this list as a wedding registry checklist, or as a reason to hit Sur La Table this weekend.

Beautiful China
Nothing makes entertaining more worth-it than being able to showcase your gorgeous good china. Pulling out your good set is like hanging a Degas for the night – so beautiful, and such a rare treat. For many couples, the china set is the focal point of the wedding registry, and one of the first things their friends and family think to purchase for them. If you have a set, don’t let it languish on a shelf or in a china closet! Take it out and put it to good use. If you already have a set but your design and décor taste has changed, or if you have not yet invested in a set, splurge on a design that makes your heart skip a beat. We have a theory that all food tastes better when served on a beautiful surface – and we haven’t been proven wrong yet!

A Good Cookbook
In this day and age, it’s easy to rely on technology for recipes and cooking tips. We all have a Pinterest board of recipes and foodspiration, after all! But investing in a classic hardbound cookbook serves three purposes. First, you know that all of the recipes will be good if they made it past the chef and the editor. Second, cookbook pages are usually easier to work with (and much more forgiving of tomato sauce splatters or floury fingers) than a device that needs to be charged, has popup ads, etc. And third, cookbooks have a classic aesthetic appeal that your guests will admire. Purchase one classic American cookbook like The Joy of Cooking or Mastering the Art of French Cooking and you’ll feel like a total domestic diva.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking: the 40th Anniversary Edition by Julia Child from Sur La Table

Bar Cart
A well-stocked bar cart is one of the secrets of effortless entertaining. Bar carts come in so many styles and designs, from sleek modern stainless steel to rich classic hardwood. This will almost certainly come to be a focal point in your living room or dining room, and the more you love it the more you’ll use it. Stock it with a citrus juicer, a fine mesh, a julep strainer, a jigger, a muddler and a cocktail shaker. Build up a liquor collection of 50% inexpensive staples and 50% top-shelf treats so you’ll be prepared for any occasion, any guest, and any drink request.
Creative Co-Op 2-Tier Bar Cart from Sur La Table

Copper Mugs
Moscow Mules are a cocktail hour staple that you can easily master to impress your guests. These simple, refreshing cocktails are made with vodka, lime juice and ginger beer and they are always served in a copper mug. Why? The mug keeps the drink colder longer without needing as much ice but also because the acidic lime juice tastes a lot more sharp and crisp against the metal cup… but we just think it looks beautiful!

Moscow Mule Copper Mugs from Sur La Table

Wood, Marble or Slate Cheese Board
Appetizers and hors d’oeuvres are probably the first thing your guests will be served as they enter the party. Make sure your presentation makes a good first impression. An elegantly designed cheese board elevates antipasti, bruschetta, and other small bites.
Wood and Slate Cheese Board from Sur La Table

Entertaining is a snap when you have the right pieces. Don’t skip these essentials when creating your wedding registry! The more you love them, the more motivated you’ll be to put them to good use and show them off.
What entertaining staples are in your arsenal? What pieces do you have that inspire you to break out the Chardonnay and invite guests over?

There you are, sipping a Pumpkin Spice Latte and grabbing your favorite sweater, when it hits you: “Where did the summer go?” Have no fear because there is still time to squeeze every last drop of summery sweetness out of these next upcoming weeks. And what better way to cap off Summer 2015 than with a backyard movie night!

Celebrate this Labor Day weekend in Oscar-worthy style by hosting a “Cinema & Cocktails” soiree for your closest friends and family.

Popcorn Bar: The Pittsburgh Popcorn Company

Gold Striped Popcorn Boxes: Etsy

The most important part of hosting a backyard movie night is, you guessed it, the movie. Keep your audience in mind when selecting a movie so that it is appropriate and enjoyable for everyone attending. You can never go wrong with a romantic comedy like The Proposal, or an oldie-but-goodie classic such as Jaws or The Sandlot. Jurassic Park was the inspiration for this fun and fresh movie night, which was hosted by one of our own event coordinators in her backyard.

Once you’ve selected a movie, now you need a movie screen! Whether you want to hire some Media Room Installers or try out your DIY skills, there are various ways to transform your backyard or house into the most theatrical of venues. You can do a movie night either indoors or outdoors! Start by contacting local sound and rental companies to see if they offer an outdoor theater service. If you see yourself hosting several more movie nights, purchasing a home system might be worth the investment. Although it may not be the most tech savvy, there is always the good old white sheet and projector set-up, creating a whimsical and quaint setting for your guests’ viewing pleasure.

Outdoor Movie Kit: Pittsburgh Sound Rental

Because movie nights tend to be late night affairs, go light on food and offer delectable desserts and flavorful variations of popcorn. Keep everything in theme with a coordinating tablecloth and serveware. Be sure to communicate on the invitation to “BYOBC”, or in other words “Bring your own blanket or chair,” so that your guests are comfortable and warm. You may want to have some lawn chairs and blankets handy for unprepared guests. No al fresco affair is complete without some strategically positioned ambient lighting, so generously place candles, tiki torches and overhead string lights throughout the yard.

Banana Leaf Cake Pops: Bella Christies and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique

Mini Donuts and Banana Leaf Sugar Cookies: Bella Christies and Lil Z’s Sweet Boutique

Popcorn Bar: Pittsburgh Popcorn Company

Serving as the perfect transition from one gorgeous Pennsylvania season to the next, a backyard movie theatre experience is guaranteed to earn a standing ovation, or at the very least a Pumpkin Spice Latte.

After a long, late night of dancing, wedding guests appreciate nothing more than a late night snack. It’s wise and courteous to plan something small for guests to peruse without feeling like they’ve overindulged. Light snacks are also a great way to showcase Pittsburgh’s most popular gourmet treats. We’ve selected some of the most unique snack foods that can only be found in Pittsburgh!

Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches
One part ice cream, two parts cookie: what’s not to love about an ice cream sandwich? On a hot summer night, especially at an outdoor wedding, guests will appreciate this cool, refreshing snack. For a wedding reception or elegant party, not just any ice cream sandwich will do. Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches offers sophisticated artisanal flavors like fig, black raspberry lime curd, and Vietnamese cinnamon ice cream nestled between two freshly-baked cookies. Leona’s is the only 100% lactose free ice cream made in Pittsburgh. They use 100% real PA dairy so there are no sacrifices in flavor or texture. All of their flavors are handmade and their ingredients are sourced as locally as possible.
Insider tip from Katie and Christa of Leona’s: “The most important thing about ice cream is proper holding temperature. We use a lot of dry ice for weddings and have portable freezers too. We are very specific about how they are going to be served so we can provide the proper equipment or advice on how it will be best experienced.”
Leona’s popular Cinnamon Ice Cream on an Oatmeal Lace Cookie.

La Gourmandine
The wedding cake will always be a wedding reception staple. However, serving a variety of bite-sized dessert options is never a bad idea. Petit fours are small individual French pastries that do not require a knife or fork to eat. They come in a variety of flavors, from classic chocolate and vanilla cake to lemon tarts and chocolate eclairs.
La Gourmandine makes petit four versions of their popular French pastries for wedding receptions. The marquise is popular (a crispy caramel bottom with creme brulee filling that is hand dipped in dark chocolate) while assorted tarts (fruit, lemon and raspberry) offer a tangier dessert option. La Gourmandine’s famous full-sized pastries and danishes are also a fabulous option for brunch the day after the wedding.
Insider tip from Sara of La Gourmandine: “I normally recommend to customers to mix and match their choices. For instance, if you pick the marquise which can be a heavy chocolate, pair it with our choux a la creme which is comparable to a cream puff to offer your guests something lighter in flavor. We are always more than happy to sit down with customers and find a menu that fits their wedding needs perfectly!”

The display case at La Gourmandine. Photo courtesy of La Gourmandine.

Pittsburgh Popcorn Company
Few snacks are as versatile as popcorn. It’s a blank canvas that can range from simple to sweet to savory, and is a fuss-free finger food. Setting up a popcorn bar late into your reception or event gives guests a lot of options to keep hunger at bay without being heavy on the stomach.
Pittsburgh Popcorn Company offers a huge variety of gourmet popcorn flavors. Besides the classic Movie Style and Sweet ‘n Salty Kettle Corn, you’ll see creative recipes like Peanut Butter Cup, Savory Herb, Nutella, or Cheesy Garlic Bread.
Insider tip from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company: Get custom-branded tins for the popcorn. It’s the most attractive way to serve popcorn for a large amount of guests. While the Pittsburgh Popcorn Company no longer offers individually bagged popcorn servings, you can purchase a bulk amount of popcorn and have it bagged in custom-branded packages for hotel guest bags.

Chicago-style Cheddar & Caramel Mix. Photo from Pittsburgh Popcorn Company’s website.

These Pittsburgh snacks range far beyond wedding receptions. They’re also perfect treats for bridal and baby showers, conferences, private parties, and birthdays. Of course, does anyone really need a special occasion to nibble on an éclair or ice cream sandwich? We think not.

Hungry for more Pittsburgh foodie fanfare? We’ve created a list of the best new dining spots in Pittsburgh.