If it's a Saturday night, 7 would usually be the earliest. But we now often have people on Sunday, with ages ranging from 50-85 years old. Two are teachers who have to be up early the next morning so then we usually say 6....though one person never, ever arrives before 6:30. Depending on the weather, we may want to be outside for drinks and apps and then go inside for the rest it it cools off. Otherwise we'll stay out for the evening. Sunsets can be a nice thing, as well as the birds before nightfall. Don't understand the idea that ''getting together for dinner just doesn't seem right when it's not dark.''

I think all of my dinner parties have had a start time of 7:30 regardless of time of year. We spend all of the time in the kitchen or dining room so there's no sense of "it isn't dark yet." Besides, dinner proper doesn't start at that time, but we will have drinks and snacks out.

7:30 always seems right to us. It's not so early that no one is interested in dinner, not so late that everyone is ravenous. It also gives us the most time to get last minute things together and make dinner.

Wow - even 7 sounds late to me. I'm a very early to bed sort of person, and usually invite people at 6, knowing that some will be late, with the intent that dinner will be served by 7. Then we can take our time eating, laughing, conversing, and enjoying dessert all very leisurely. Then by 9 or 9.30 everyone is headed out the door which leaves it perfect timing for me to go to bed.

I'm with GretaGrace. My husband is typically up by 4 am (I sleep in until 6 or so). We usually have people over starting at 6-ish, eat around 7, done by around 9 or 9:30. Luckily most of our friends are early risers as well (I am the slacker in the group!).

I generally invite guests for 7:30 or 7:45, but know everyone will be at least 20 minutes late. I plan on serving around 8:45, with plenty of wine and nibbles before hand. And here's my long list of what to do and serve at a big fancy dinner without wanting to commit suicide from fatigue and stress: http://howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-to-have-fancy-dinner-party-without.html

pam h
howtorunyourlife.blogspot.com

Never serve dinner before 8, and would find it odd to be invited for before 7.

If it's during the week, I aim to serve dinner at 7, that way I have time to clean up afterward and get to bed at a reasonable hour. On the weekend (especially during the summer) dinner is probably served at 8, with people trickling in starting at 6:30-7 (after all, weekends are for hanging out and lounging around with friends).

lol, of course I am now thinking of Michael and Jan's dinner party on the office, where she starts the roast AFTER everyone arrives... :)

We invite people over between 7-7:30, but eating never starts until about 8:15-8:30.

However, if it's a summertime BBQ party, then the EARLIER the better.

I love 8:00, and love a dinner party that stays at the table until after 11. It seems luxurious and cozy. Unfortunetly too many of my friends hate eating that late, which stresses me out.

I'm in NYC where getting off work at 5pm for most of my friends isn't always guaranteed. I like to make the invite for 5:30pm onward - if you're out early you know you're welcome to come over for cocktails, music and a bit of chat while I get things ready and we wait for others. I'd rather they were relaxing with me and not trying to find something to do for two hours. Usually we're sitting down by 7 - our parties are loose and incoming guests get a plate fixed, have a glass of wine poured and settle in.

Never before 8.30. When the days are long, especially on holiday, we're often out ourselves until late.