Jessica Sloane is the founder of Jessica Sloane Events + Experiences, guided by a simple motto: beauty in everything. As a creative director, event planner, designer, and stylist with a background in sociology, Jessica is known for holding space for clients and translating their values into highly individualized celebrations that tell a clear story through sensory, aesthetic details. 

Jessica’s work has been widely published in outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart Weddings, and BRIDES, and Jessica has been named one of Martha Stewart Weddings’ Best Wedding Planners in the country. That same values-first approach shows up in the way Jessica hosts at home: start with the reason for gathering, set the mood with lighting and music, make food and drinks easy, and focus on what guests will remember most: how the night felt and the connections they made.

Hosting Q&A with Jessica Sloane

Q: When planning a gathering in your home, where do you start: the menu, the decor, the occasion, or the theme?

A: I start with the occasion or reason for the gathering.

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

A: Be party-ready with some food out and drinks that are easy to serve. Make sure the lighting fits the mood, and there is music to create atmosphere. Most importantly, do not be so busy hosting that you cannot connect.

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

A: Candles, approachable arrangements, and an inviting table setting with a thoughtful paper element like a menu and or place card.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: The connections you make. What matters is how you felt while you were there. That is the memory you will have.

Q: If someone is feeling overwhelmed by hosting their friends at home, what tips would you give them?

A: Cater the food and pre-batch cocktails, or hire a bartender if you want drinks made on the spot.

Q: What is your signature recipe to serve when hosting?

A: Every party deserves a great charcuterie spread: cheese, meats, dried and fresh fruits, nuts, peppers, and olives. The bigger the spread, the more approachable it is from any corner. Strategically placed appetizers draw people to a central spot, where you will find them connecting.

Q: What is your favorite party trick?

A: I decant nicer wines first and have those ready to go. If I am doing a cocktail, I pre-batch it and set out garnishes. As the host, I like to get everyone their first drink and keep an eye out for refills. I put food in a central place so the group congregates there. If it is game night, I have games out in a comfy spot ready to go. If it is a dinner party, I think of a question for the table. 

Thoughtful place settings and strategically assigned seating help guests mingle with people they do not already know well. Including a signature scent, especially in a smaller place, is often left out of design but can really enhance the experience.

Q: What is the most memorable party or gathering you have attended or hosted, and why?

A: Since I do this for a living, it is hard to answer. 

I do a lot of luxury weddings, but smaller ones can be more memorable because there is room to host with intention and detail. For example, I did one for a couple who wrote their story in a newspaper print and handed it to guests as they arrived. Small touches go a long way. We always include ambient lighting, meaningful details, statement floral pieces, and interesting table settings in our designs.

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

A: I always pick natural wines and mix in a sparkling Lambrusco if it is warm weather. One of my favorite winemakers is Scribe, and I am a member. For digital invitations, I like Paperless Post, but I also have a few favorites on Etsy. For more custom client events, we work with paper designers and illustrators. My go-to charcuterie items can all be purchased at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s in one stop. Adding customized napkins and matches from foryourparty.com is an easy and fun detail.

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Jessica’s approach is a reminder that hosting is not a performance. It is a design problem with a human goal: help people feel comfortable enough to connect. When you plan around connection, the details become tools, not pressure.

How can I recreate this hosting style in a simple way?

Choose a clear reason for gathering, then build one central moment that makes mingling effortless. A charcuterie spread on a central surface works because it gives guests a natural place to gather without forcing conversation.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

Make it easy for guests to arrive in a mood, not a moment of awkwardness. Food out, drinks ready, lighting set, and music on means guests can flow into connection right away, and the host can stay present instead of scrambling.

What can hosts borrow from this approach for their own event?

• Put the food in a central spot so guests naturally congregate
• Pre-batch cocktails or simplify drinks so you are not stuck behind the bar
• Add one thoughtful paper detail, like a menu or place card, to signal intention
• Use assigned seating strategically to help guests talk to someone new
• Consider scent as part of the atmosphere, especially in smaller spaces

Want more from Jessica Sloane? Follow along on Instagram @jessicasloane and visit jessicasloane.com for more hosting inspiration. 

Ready to plan your own? Create a free Partytrick account and start with these playbooks:

• Al Fresco Dinner Party with Grüvi
• Always Sparkling Dinner Party with Une Femme
• Boozy Brunch

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