Dinner or Dinner Dance		Begin a dinner or dinner dance with a cocktail reception which does not last for more than 45 minutes. The entire event should not extend much beyond three-and-one-half hours. If honors or accolades are presented, they should be awarded after dessert is served. If dancing is scheduled, start it when people enter the dining room, plan for periodic breaks for commentaries and accolades, but continue the music throughout the evening and after the meal to the conclusion of the event.
At least three courses, with appropriate wines, should be served at a dinner. A formal, seated dinner calls for at least five courses, with changes in the wines for each course. Dinner is extremely versatile and can be white or black tie or semiformal. The most appropriate time for dinner is from 7:00 P.M. on, but regional custom and taste might dictate a slightly earlier or later starting time.
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