Do: Make It a Weekend Getaway Party! If you're lucky enough to own a vacation home, consider having a party out of town, like the 'Real Housewives of New York City' stars did when they visited Heather Thomson's beautiful, rustic home in the Berkshires.
Don't: Sit Frenemies Next to Each Other. For her White Party, Kyle Richards took care to keep those who didn't get along far away from each other. But should things get tense, always make sure you have plenty of tequila on hand.
Do: Have a Party for Charity. Every year, Dina Manzo hosts an amazing New Jersey celebration to raise money for children and families undergoing rigorous medical treatments. And she's often called upon her 'Real Housewives of New Jersey' co-stars to to help. For this year's gala, she and the girls organized a fashion show featuring adorable kids.
Don't: Get Carried Away on the Mechanical Bull. Carnival rides are always a blast at parties, but as Tamra Barney of 'the Real Housewives of Orange County' learned at Heather Dubrow's house-raising party, sometimes a mechanical bull isn't always a good idea.
Do: Invite Your Celebrity BFFs! When Lea and Roy black toss their annual Black Gala in Miami each year, they pull out all the stops—A-Listers included. For this year's fete, they even booked the Queen of Soul to perform, and invited names like Courtney Love and Gloria Estefan.
Do: Hire a Party Planner You Trust. If work and family commitments are overwhelming your party-planning, it might be good to work with a party planner. Just make sure it's someone with a good reputation—as Sheree Whitfield learned when she confronted her bumbling specialist and delivered her classic comeback, "Who Gon' Check Me Boo?"
Don't: Have a Party in a Roach-Infested House. One sure way to get your guests to run screaming from your home: cockroaches! So take care to clean your home before your guests arrive—or they may have to take matters into their own hands like Porsha did during the 'RHOA's epic trip to Savannah. Then again, as NeNe advises, maybe the roaches can bring frenemies together!
Do: Throw a Game Night Party! An easy, economically-friendly way to get the gals together: board game night! Dana Wilkey hosted one of the most memorable parties in Beverly Hills when she had the ladies over for a night of dice-rolling and card-playing. One thing history may have taught Dana, however: always be ready to serve light snacks to your guests—especially if Camille Grammer is in the house.
Do: Take Inspiration From Your Favorite Movies. When envisioning your party, pick a Hollywood theme like Kandi Burruss. The more over-the-top, the better. For her marriage to Todd Tucker, the Grammy-winning songwriter opted for a ceremony inspired by Eddie Murphy's classic movie 'Coming to America,' complete with lions, tigers, and dancers.
