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How soon..it depends on when that 'one' family member that's chronically late finally arrives, or when everyone has finished with small talk and sit down and a consensus is formed "okay they're far too late now, lets start"

Ha! A plan? What a joke. I serve my guests when I've managed to get my course ready- but I'm a terrible kitchen planner. That said, I always have snacks & drinks (preferably an interesting cocktail so my guests feel like they've already started in on the interesting flavors).

I also totally agree with Panfusine, it depends on the crowd.

depends upon the number of guests.. if its a small close knit group, give it about 1/2 hr of drinks appetizers & start setting the table, this way, the dinner would get going at about 45 minutes..For a larger number of guests, give it 15 mins more.. this way you get a bit of extra time to set up, while the guests mingle! (just make sure the beverages, appetizers & snacks are a plenty )

I base it on number of guests and flow. If I'm at my home where there are a few small rooms and a few more people I make it an hour to allow mingling, because flow isn't as quick as if it was party of 5, starting at my kitchen island.

I base it on number of guests and flow. If I'm at my home where there are a few small rooms and a few more people I make it an hour to allow mingling, because flow isn't as quick as if it was party of 5, starting at my kitchen island.

I base it on number of guests and flow. If I'm at my home where there are a few small rooms and a few more people I make it an hour to allow mingling, because flow isn't as quick as if it was party of 5, starting at my kitchen island.

I base it on number of guests and flow. If I'm at my home where there are a few small rooms and a few more people I make it an hour to allow mingling, because flow isn't as quick as if it was party of 5, starting at my kitchen island.

30-45 minutes (assuming you've got a nice, light appetizer and delicious bottle of wine to enjoy while they wait)!

I never ever put a time limit on it, but if you want I suppose you could call it the two cocktail timer, which should never be rushed but savored.

I usually plan on about an hour since I don't like to rush people & expect help/entertainment in the kitchen.

Fantastic -- thanks, Everyone!

I think 30 - 45 minutes, just enough time for a cocktail.

I'll split the difference at 45 minutes - long enough that it doesn't feel rushed, soon enough that guests won't start to wonder how long the party will be. If there are enough apps and drinks to go around, throw caution to the wind and start when the food's ready.

30 minutes to an hour allows for late-is arrivals, better timing in the kitchen, and jovial conversation over some appetizers and drinks.

I think an hour, giving your guests time to have a drink and some appetizers before the dinner

Assuming you have a couple appetizer plates and good wine, 30 minutes- 1 hour