23 October 2018
Throwing a party is supposed to be fun, which is why keeping organised in the lead up to your event is a must!
The timeline for your event will vary depending on the type of celebration you’re having. For instance, for a wedding, planning should start at least 12 months in advance, whereas for a child’s birthday party four weeks should be more than enough time.
There is a lot involved in planning a party, but to break it down a bit, these are the key activities you’ll need to undertake:
- Select a date
- Make a guest list
- Choose a theme
- Choose/hire a venue
- Book your catering company
- Plan the menu
- Book your hire furniture/décor/marquees
- Send out invitations
- Keep track of RSVPs/ take note of any dietary requirements
- Book your entertainment or come up with a playlist
- Double check the details with all of your suppliers
- Confirm final numbers/dietary requirements with your caterer
- Set up/ assist your party planner to set up the venue
- Have some fun!
Some of the items on this to-do list are simple, like choosing a date and making the guest list, but some will take a little more effort, like planning the menu and selecting the hire equipment, decorations and furniture you need.
Whether you’re having your party at home, or at a venue, these tips will help you throw an event your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Before You Begin
Before you do anything, have a think about who the party is for and what type of atmosphere you want to create. Is it for your husband who likes a real rager, or your mum who is more interested in a delicate, afternoon affair?
Your answer to this question will help you choose a theme and the timing of your event.
The next thing you should do is make a guest list to get a rough estimate of how many people you’ll be inviting. Always try to adopt the 80:20 approach; because it’s very unlikely everyone you invite will show up. In most cases, roughly 80% of the guest list will actually attend.
Next, where will the party be held? If you need to hire a venue, make sure you do it well in advance, so you can plan decorations, catering options, furniture and music around the space you’re using. Discuss this with your caterer as they will have worked at many different venues and will have some suggestions for you.
Planning the Menu
You’re probably familiar with the old adage that the thing people remember most about a party is the food. This is definitely true! Make sure you have more than enough food to go around, and that the options cater to a variety of tastebuds and dietary requirements.
Will the event require a sit down menu, or just finger food? Do you want a buffet dinner or a luncheon? Or are you after an elegant high tea? These are the questions you’re caterer will be asking, so make sure you know what style of menu you’re after.
When it comes to flavours, what you choose is entirely up to you! However, your caterer will be able to guide you through options that pair well together, and will help you customise anything to suit your specific needs.
Setting Up
Marquees, tables, chairs, lighting, sound equipment, decorations – there’s a lot to think about!
Make sure you hire anything in advance, and make the necessary arrangements to have everything delivered/ picked up and set-up with plenty of time to spare before your guests arrive. Also make sure proper arrangements have been made to return everything, and that you’re prepared for the clean up.
The best advice we can give you on throwing a party, is to make a list and tick everything off as you go, to ensure you don’t forget anything. Party planning should be fun and not stressful, rely on experienced professionals to assist in putting your event together will ensure it goes off without a hitch.
If you need catering or party hire in Perth, talk to Prestige Catering today!
