Set the Vibe: Ritz Paris Dinner Party
When I think of hosting a dinner party with a Parisian chic vibe, I’m not talking pastel macarons and berets. I’m talking more Ritz and Hotel Costes vibes. Dark candlelight. Rich textures. Gawdy golds. I put together an outline of the Parisian Dinner Party of my dreams…
The Ambiance
First, let’s set the mood. I want the ambiance to be similar to a moody, trendy Parisian hotel. The kind with dim candlelight, deep velvets, and ornate chandeliers. Set your table with crisp white linens, silver vintage flatware, and crystal stemware. Drape the room in gold or brass candelabras. I especially love one with a matte or patina finish. But for real, when it comes to the ambiance, candles are king here.
1. Gold Candelabra, Jamali Gardens but I also kind of die for this set of Grande Chateau Beaumont Candelabra Candle Holders, Amazon 2. Vintage Hotel Silver Flatware, Pottery Barn 3. Ritz Imperial Blanc Dinner Plate, Ritz Paris Boutique but if you need something not totally obscene in price, these Brasserie Blue-Branded Porcelain Plates, Williams-Sonoma give a chic french café look. 4. For the florals, utilize roses. Bonus points if you want to create a large, bougie arrangement for your foyer. And don’t forget a small arrangement for the bathroom! Our besties at Plum Sage Flowers put together a recipe for a perfectly Parisian flower arrangement below if you want to DIY it. 5. Antique Gold Mirror, Bellacor is chic or this Toulouse Mirror, Perigold, and this French Baroque Mirror, Amazon are both options that are more budget-friendly but still lovely enough to use as regular decor in your home after the party is over. I love when that happens. Prop them up against the wall, or use them as a bar backdrop or menu. 6. I can’t stop thinking about these Vintage-Inspired Etched Martini & Cocktail Glasses, Food52. I aspire to be a chic french woman sipping from a coupe instead of my thirsty midwestern self slugging from a cabernet goblet. Maybe this is my moment?? 7. Actually DYING for these Ralph’s Canapé Plates, Perigold from Chez Ralph’s in Paris. 8. Sonedly 10 Inch Ivory Candles, Amazon and I do mean ivory. Do not under any circumstances choose white. And absolutely tea lights. To quote Anthony Marantino, “We want candles, candles, candles. And I don't want short, stubby, broken-up dick candles. I want long tapers.” 9. Wellmet Crystal Chandelier, Amazon Okay so here me out, I know hanging a chandelier for a dinner party seems semi-insane, but you could it temporarily and use wireless lightbulbs or I also love the idea of using it as a centerpiece for the bar or a buffet table. 10. Keep it 100% bouge city USA with the La Bougie - Suite Impériale, Ritz Paris Boutique candle or give the swan decor a subtle nod with the Swan Candle, Anais Candle. Or just cut the shit with the swans and burn the Rose Noir & Oud Classic Candle, Nest because it smells like wealth and gives gold swan energy. 11. Beauregard by Garnier Thiebaut, Fine Linens, or this Violet Linen Prestige Medallion, Overstock looks like a good budget-friendly option (or it could suck, please don’t kill me I’ve never seen it in person).
The Menu
Now onto the menu. When it comes to food, the French know how to do it right. Channel your inner Julia Child and go for classic French dishes like escargots, coq au vin, or bouillabaisse. Serve a cheese plate on a vintage silver platter and finish the meal off with a decadent dessert like a chocolate souffle in coupe glasses or creme brulee. And of course, no French dinner party is complete without a few bottles of excellent wine. Martinis and champagne are also ideal on hand because they serve the dual purpose of looking good and tasting good. Perrier Jouet in particular looks nice on a bar.
The Looks
One area we have to be sure to not offend with any Parisian-influenced theme is fashion. The French are known for whole the classically, timeless, effortlessly chic thing and we absolutely can not let them down. To avoid looking like you went to a costume party, stick to just one “French-y” fashion item. Choose the beret or the black and white stripes, or the scarf around the neck, please for the love of god do not do all of it. Think a modern Brigitte Bardot. Light makeup with clean skin bold lips screams “I’m a french girl who gets my makeup at the pharmacie and has never met dry skin.” Velvet is always a good option. French girlies love a good hosiery moment. Bold jewels and sleek buns give “I’ll take a crescent and a full fat cappuccino because I’m french and don’t get fat, s’il vous plait.”
The Details
Finally, tie it all in with chic details. Set the mood with some French music, like Edith Piaf or Jacques Brel. If you want to keep it a little more modern but still french and vibey, I love the Hotel Costes Spotify playlists or I made one of my very own because I moonlight as a DJ in my bedroom. And don't be afraid to add a few French phrases to your conversation, menus, or place cards - "Merci beaucoup" and “j'aurai un autre croissant s'il vous plait” will make you sound like an enthusiastic American in Paris. If you’re feeling extra brave, attempt a champagne tower (instructions here). And if you’re feeling generous, send your guests home with a jar of the So Ritzy Jam from the Ritz Paris.
So there you have it, darlings - a guide to hosting a fabulous dinner party with a Ritz Hotel Paris aesthetic. Remember, it's all about elegance, refinement, and attention to detail. Bonne chance!