Planning a party is a precarious balancing act between trying to make sure everyone has a good time and ensuring that you don’t go over budget or time. If you’re planning a gathering and are new to all of this, it can be frightening to ensure you’re doing it right.
These are the top dos and don’ts to ensuring your event is a winner.
Do: Plan Ahead By Months
The moment you decide to plan a party is the moment you should start setting plans in motion. Many parts of an event can get scooped up months in advance, which can leave you without an event space, or with the news that the performers you wanted have already been booked before you had the chance to grab them.
Your guests also live outside of your event, and the longer you wait to announce and plan it, the less time they’ll have to plan to be there for the event. Â
Don’t: Ignore the Time of Year.
The time of year matters. Even if this isn’t a Christmas-specific event, hosting it in December comes with some expectations. If you don’t want your party to be mistaken for a holiday party, try to plan it no later than October 15th. Otherwise, it’ll get swept up in holiday fever.
If this is an outdoor party, the time of year matters even more! Not only because of the cold of winter and heat of summer but also because certain times of year are far more prone to rain and storms than any other time.
Do: Hire Interesting Entertainment
Whether you want an incredible singer like Michael Francis Sinatra, or you want something more camp like a drag performer or celebrity impersonator: don’t be afraid to think outside of the box with entertainment. Show your guest that you want them to have a great time, and invest in a party that people will be talking about for years to come, with the best entertainment you can find.Â
Don’t: Avoid Budgeting.
Budgeting is a must for events of any size. Just because your party is smaller doesn’t mean you can get away with avoiding considering how much everything will cost. Planning your event’s budget will ensure that you’re prepared for surprises and that you can get the most out of the money you put into it. Although budgeting may be scary to some, it’s the first step you should take.
Do: Set a Time for it to End.
One fatal flaw some parties have is that they neglect to offer an end-time. The time your event is going to end is a vital thing to keep track of since it will give you the chance to plan for how long you’ll use the space you’re renting, how long people can stay, and how long your entertainment is hired to be on location.
Every Party Should be a Great Time
Whether this is a bar mitzvah or you’re celebrating a coworker’s retirement, every event should be planned carefully. Keep these dos and don’ts in mind, and your event won’t be able to fail!
