What's a good number of friends for dinner party - 6 or 10?

[serafinabelle]

Hi, we are inviting new(ish) friends over for dinner. My perfect number for a dinner party is 8 but the natural balance would be either everyone, so 10 of us, or two separate evenings of 6 people. My dilemma is because I don't know them well like old best friends - is 6 too quiet a dinner? Is 10 too many to chat to everyone?? Space/cooking/two separate evenings is not an issue.

I would go for 10 personally.

Lots of people to interact.

Also means it doesn't matter if a couple drop out on the day - illness, babysitter letting them down etc - there would still be 8.

Thanks Bowlersarm. Good point about if one couple drop out, we could easily end up with just 4 of us. 10 it is!