10 Tips for Planning a Party.....
So, you want to throw a party but you don't know where to begin. Below, I have 10 simple tricks, or considerations, to get your party off on the right foot.
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1. How many people?
You first need to decide how many people you will be inviting. This will help determine exactly what size/scale the party will be, which is a huge variable in the budget and venue department. Check out the invite chart on our board if you need help making the cut.
2. Where is this happening?
Another major consideration. Where are you going to host this event. This may influence a number of 'things' like you theme, invites, and budget.
3. What is your theme/colour?
For some, like me, this is where you start. A lot of the time this helps guide the way that everything else will come together. That being said, you do not always have to have this 'figured out', sometimes the guests, time of year, location of the party, or budget will be have a higher priority. Remember, the theme can be the most flexible and forgiving at times.
4. What is your priority?
So, what matters the most? Budget, location, people you want there, the food to be served? Whatever it is, you need to make this a clear priority throughout the planning process. Not only will this help organize and streamline your efforts, this practice will help ensure that you are not taking on too much - believe me, we have all made the mistake of trying to have it all - and don't be afraid to ask for help.
5. When is the event going to take place?
This relates not only to the time of the year, but the time of day. This will help with planning in terms of, both, the theme/venue as well as the food, if any, that needs to be served. Depending on the time of day the event will take place could mean the difference between providing a full lunch or getting away with light appetizers/finger foods - not to mention liquor consumption.
6. What's happening?
Have a plan. What is going to happen during the event? When is food going to be served? When are activities/draws taking place? What will your guests do as soon as they walk in the door? These are all 'things' that need to be considered and planned out before the event date.
7. Did you tell your guests?
Now, I know we have figured out who is invited, but now you need to invite them. There are a number of traditional or unique ways of spreading the word about your event. The aesthetic and nostalgia of a paper invitation is timeless and offers endless possibilities in terms of adding your personal touch - but this also may be a bit heavier on the budget.
Alternatively, there are a number of unique ways of sending out invites via the internet and social media.
Whatever you do, make sure that your invites are detailed, specific, and priority focused. Make sure your guests know:
1. what the event is for? Be specific
2. location information - special instructions - maybe even a map or Google Maps link
3. Hint at, or explicate, the theme/focus for the party
4. the time - if there is an event/activity that is time sensitive with your event make sure to state that here
8. How will your guests be greeted?
I brought this up briefly above, but pretty much, you need to think about how your guests will experience your event from the moment they walk in the door. YouTube'r Alison Faulkner describes the possible consequences of failing to attend to this detail.
If there are kids, you need to entertain them, if they are adults - well they need to be entertained too - get them immersed into and excited about the theme/focus of the event.
9. Need a favour?
This can be taken 2 ways:
1. Determine if you plan on providing some sort of a take-away and if so, consider how you are going to make sure that these favours are both useful and delivered to all of your guests.
2. Ask for help with any, and all, of your party problems - it takes a village.
10. Are you thinking outside of the box?
We all go to parties, but make yours a party to remember - implement a personal touch. You can do this in a number of ways but try to find 'something' that will be fun and engaging with your guests. This day in age, it is really interesting to find ways that guests can 'share' their experience at your event live via social media. Find ways to create photo backdrops, wacky and interactive decorations, #hashtags, and social buzz around your event. Not only will this promote a vibe about your event, it also doubles as a log of memories, experiences, and photographs.
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