Beth Helmstetter is the Founder and Creative Director of Beth Helmstetter Events, a boutique event design and planning studio known for creating hospitality-driven celebrations worldwide.

Her approach is rooted in connection over perfection, pulling from a background in psychology and hospitality to create gatherings that feel personal, soulful, and beautifully lived-in.

Whether Beth is planning a destination wedding or a dinner party at home, the goal stays the same: make guests feel celebrated, comforted, and genuinely welcomed.

In this edition of Host How I Host, Beth shares the mindset shifts and small “just-right” details that turn any meal into a memorable moment.

Hosting Q&A with Beth Helmstetter

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

A: I always start with the feeling the celebration should evoke.

Once you know whether you want guests to feel comforted, surprised, connected, or deeply celebrated, every other decision becomes simpler and more cohesive.

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

A: Lighting and linens.

Candlelight makes everything feel magical, and a beautiful textile, even a simple washed linen or vintage cloth, instantly elevates the table. Finish with a little greenery or fruit from your yard for an intentional, welcoming feel.

Q: What makes a great gathering memorable?

A: How your guests feel. 

People may remember a beautiful place setting or an amazing cocktail, but more than anything, they remember how relaxed they were, how welcomed they felt, and whether the experience felt personal. A great host creates comfort, generosity, and moments that feel considered.

Q: Share your signature recipe (food or beverage) to serve when hosting.

A: Banana split with the most elevated ingredients.

Start with your favorite vanilla ice cream (I splurge on Nancy’s Fancy Gelato), then top with high-quality chocolate and salted caramel syrup (I source from gourmet grocers when possible), marcona almonds, fresh bananas, Luxardo maraschino cherries, and the tiniest touch of sea salt.

Q: What is your favorite party trick?

A: Keep a “hosting pantry” with candles, beautiful linens, simple bud vases, and a bottle of something sparkling.

With those items, you can pull together a last-minute gathering that feels effortless and refined at the same time.

Q: What do you love about Partytrick? What’s your favorite Partytrick feature?

A: The curated event templates are brilliant, making hosting feel approachable for anyone, anywhere.

They take away the intimidation and give hosts a thoughtful blueprint, while still leaving room for personal touches (which is the magic of every great gathering).

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

A: My wedding, for obvious reasons.

We created a beautiful, elevated dinner party for 60 of our favorite people.

Every bit of the menu was intentional and inspired by a recipe we use often in our everyday lives, and the table was designed with custom linens and napkins that I keep in my entertaining closet.

The most meaningful touch was an oversized dinner menu with a handwritten note for each guest about what each of them meant to us as a couple.

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

A:

• Glassware: Soho Home, CB2
• Bread: County Bread from Tartine
• Plates: Ginori
• Napkins: custom wedding napkins, Summerill & Bishop
• Table linens: raw wood tables, or linens from Cabana Magazine

Partytrick Take: Real Hosting Takeaways

Beth’s philosophy is a reminder that the most impactful hosting decisions are rarely the most expensive ones. Instead of trying to “do it all,” name the feeling you want guests to have, and design the night around comfort, ease, and a little play.

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

Pick one mood-driving element and commit to it.

For Beth’s style, candlelight plus one nostalgic “surprise” course (like a banana split bar), even if the main meal is a simple pasta.

What is the most important planning decision behind this gathering?

Deciding the emotional intention.

When you lead with the feeling, you can edit everything else.

Your menu, music, and table details become more cohesive, and you can stop adding extras that do not serve the guest experience.

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

• Keep a small “hosting pantry” (candles, linens, bud vases, something sparkling) so you can host without stress.
• Use linens and candlelight to elevate the table on a budget.
• Build in one playful, nostalgic moment to make the evening feel personal.
• Design for comfort first, because that is what guests remember.

Want more from Beth Helmstetter? Follow along on Instagram @bethhelmstetter and visit bethhelmstetter.com for more hosting inspiration. 

Ready to plan your own gathering? Create a free Partytrick account to start with our curated event playbooks and make hosting feel easy.