The easiest way to enjoy a fantastic celebration is through careful planning. Whether you are throwing a party to celebrate a birthday, graduation, wedding, or job promotion, you’ll want to consider several factors in advance. Hosting a large event can feel daunting, but you can take some of the pressure off yourself and begin enjoying the process with this list.
Take a deep breath — here are six of the most important things to consider for your next celebration.
1. Guest List
Believe it or not, the guest list impacts every part of a celebration. You’ll need at least an estimated number to choose a venue and rent appropriate seating. Additionally, who you invite will impact the overall theme — you’d probably prefer an age-appropriate design if families participate in the event.
While some people prefer seating plans, others would rather a more relaxed approach. Deciding on an essential guest list will allow you to begin brainstorming your options and estimating cost. Remember to give guests plenty of notice so that they have time to schedule around the event and purchase gifts or outfits as needed.
Contemplate whether you should create a B list so that you have backups if many of your first choice guests can’t attend. If you decide to make a B list, plan ahead, so you have enough time to invite both groups and receive RSVPs before the big event.
2. Venue
Every celebration deserves a special venue — will you choose something indoors or outdoors? Many restaurants have party-spaces which you can book in advance. If you opt for a restaurant venue, it can simplify your catering and drink options. Try to select a place that will appeal to guests and accommodate your needs.
Contact your venue to determine what they supply and what you’ll need to bring yourself. Also, ask about set-up and clean-up times. You won’t want decorating to take up precious party time, and some places have strict requirements regarding what they allow on the premises.
3. Theme
Do you intend to give your event a theme? Themes are a way to create cohesion and give your party a boost of color and originality. Any occasion can include a dedicated theme — even weddings. Your design can be as simple or complex as you prefer. Some people enjoy specific colors, while others prefer themes relating to particular topics or fictional characters.
Feel free to follow your interests and passions rather than staying on-trend. However, if you are looking for inspiration, Pinterest can be a terrific resource. A bonus is that Pinterest allows users to share boards, which makes collaboration a breeze.
Popular celebration themes include:
- Spooky
- Aquatic or mermaid
- Superhero
- Disney
- Garden
- Animal
4. Music
Will you choose a live band, a DJ or the trusty pre-made playlist? Music has an incredible impact on the mood and energy of an event. It goes beyond preference — the beat can alter your emotional state and cause your heartbeat rhythm to change. Songs from your formative years are more likely to cause nostalgia and create an emotional response.
Upbeat playlists are proven to boost the mood, making them great at a party. When you choose popular songs, you’re more likely to have people participate by singing and dancing than if you chose something more obscure. While a band or DJ may have a general idea of the experience you aim to create, a playlist will give you the most musical control.
5. Event Capture
Capturing an event ensures you can hold onto the memories for years to come. Consider whether you’d like a photographer, videographer or both. If you’re on a budget, you may choose to create a unique hashtag and ask everyone at the event to share photos they take using the hashtag.
A more DIY alternative would be supplying disposable cameras before the event and then developing the film to see what unique moments were captured. Depending on the nature of the party, your capture choice will undoubtedly vary. After all, most couples wouldn’t want to risk their wedding photos turning out blurry!
Once you’ve decided on a type, research what specialists are available in your region. Thanks to social media, you also have the opportunity to hire people online who may not have an official business.
6. Entertainment
Games, dancing and food galore, parties are known for having the best entertainment. Evaluate the occasion before making a decision. The entertainment at your baby shower will undoubtedly look different than a high-school graduation party or wedding celebration. A quick internet search should show you what forms are most acceptable at each given occasion, but be bold and mix it up as you see fit.
Fun and unique entertainment ideas include:
- Bounce houses
- Live performances
- Mechanical bull
- Hypnotist or magician
Perfection Differs for Everyone
Remember, your idea of perfection may differ from everyone elses. Focus on pleasing yourself or the recipient because the guests will appreciate the invite and experience! When planning your next celebration, use this list as a guide for what categories to cover. Adapt these considerations to fit your event and needs because every celebration is unique in its own way.
