Party planning checklist

Four weeks out to day-of: guest list, food, space, and the plan for after.

• Guest list + invitations (4 wks)
• Menu + quantities (3 wks)
• Drinks, incl. non-alcoholic (2 wks)
• House: clean zones, seating, lighting (1 wk)
• Order anything fresh (3 days)
• Prep what freezes (2 days)
• Chill drinks, set tables (1 day)
• One-hour pre-party reset
• Recovery plan: leftovers, dishes, returns