Host How I Host is our inside look at how creative leaders design meaningful, memorable gatherings in their own homes. For Claudia Hanlin, founder of Wedding Library and longtime force behind some of the most elegant weddings in the world, entertaining starts with one key question: who’s coming?

Known for planning and producing highly personal, beautifully detailed celebrations, Claudia brings that same thoughtful lens to her own dinner parties. Think martini bars with all the accoutrements, wild moss and pinecones layered down the center of the table, dim lighting, eclectic cocktail music, and a guest list curated as carefully as a wedding seating chart. Her approach to hosting at home is refined but unfussy, rooted in great stories, strong drinks, and letting people feel instantly at ease.

If you’ve ever wondered how a professional wedding planner hosts in real life, this one is for you.

Q: When planning a gathering in your home, where do you start?

A: I always start with the guests because they set the tone for the event.

It’s simple, but it’s strategic. Before the menu, before the flowers, before the playlist, she considers the mix of personalities in the room. The guest list defines the energy. Everything else flows from there.

Q: What are your favorite ways to break the ice or entertain guests?

A: A strong cocktail upon entering the party. Letting my guests know a few things about fellow guests that they might be interested in. Dim lights and eclectic music.

A great host engineers comfort. The cocktail signals the start. The thoughtful introductions remove awkwardness. The lighting and music create instant atmosphere.

Q: If you had a limited budget for a small dinner party, what would you focus on for the tablescape?

A: Things from the garden or the woods round my home. Moss, bark, pinecones, wildflowers, berries or grasses.

This is elegant entertaining without excess. Texture over trend. Nature over novelty.

Layering foraged elements down the center of a table creates depth and visual richness without spending much at all. It’s proof that beautiful tablescapes don’t require a big budget, just a thoughtful eye.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: Great guests and stories. Learning something unique like how to shuck oysters or hearing from a knowledgeable wine expert.

The through line here is participation. A memorable dinner party isn’t passive. It invites discovery.

An oyster shucking lesson. A mini wine education moment. Something tactile or unexpected that gives guests a story to tell the next day.

Q: If someone feels overwhelmed by hosting, what advice would you give them?

A: Plan several days in advance and do as much ahead of time as possible. Keep the menu simple with a room temperature dish, a prepared dish or dessert. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend to help with the bar or coats.

This is the antidote to hosting stress. Advance prep. Simple menus. Strategic delegation.

Q: What’s your signature recipe or drink to serve?

A: I love a martini bar with all the accoutrements handy — gin, vodka, fancy vermouths, lemon twists, onions, olives and caviar for a little bump.

Q: What’s your go-to dinner party soundtrack?

A: I’ve been gathering cocktail music into one playlist for years. It has a little Nina Simone, Dean Martin, Laufey, OMD, Marvin Gaye, Italian Pop and Fleetwood Mac…

The mix is classic but eclectic. Romantic, nostalgic, slightly playful.

Q: What’s your favorite party trick?

A: Get a spectacular, signature dish from a favorite restaurant and serve it as your own. No one needs to know.

It’s honest and brilliant. Not everything needs to be homemade. Strategic outsourcing lets you focus on the atmosphere and your guests.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick?

A: Getting great tips!

Sometimes that’s exactly what a host needs. A new idea. A shortcut. A spark of inspiration.

Q: What’s the most memorable party you’ve attended or hosted? Why?

A: I had a party in my barn with a superb food truck, a live 80’s cover band, twinkle lights and an ice cream cart. It was a hot summer night and I spent money on the invite, decor and valet. Everyone had a blast and danced the night away!

Q: What are your favorite products or brands to use when hosting?

A: I love hemstitch white napkins, Creative Candles, antique silver serving dishes, Match China, Zafferano glassware.

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To explore Claudia’s artful approach to weddings and entertaining, visit Wedding Library and follow along for more of her beautifully personal celebrations.

Feeling inspired to host your own gathering? Sign up for a free Partytrick account to explore curated templates, expert tips, and everything you need to bring your next event to life. Partytrick keeps your guest lists, menus, timelines, and inspiration in one beautifully organized place so you can focus on what actually matters: your people.