There is nothing like a party as a way to celebrate with friends and family. The trouble is that planning a party yourself can be a lot of hard work, and you are sure to feel the pressure. There are many different aspects of the party that need to be considered, and you will obviously want to plan a party that everyone enjoys. People often make the same mistakes when it comes to party planning and these events can have a big impact on the event as well as create additional stress. This post will look at the main mistakes and how they can be avoided.
Letting People Know Too Late
One of the most common mistakes that people make is letting guests know about the party too late. You will want as many people to come as possible, but people's diaries get filled up quickly. This is why you need to send out invites or at least save the dates as far in advance as possible.
Not Having A Budget
Planning a party involves many costs, including the venue, food, drink, decorations, and entertainment. These can quickly add up when you do not have a budget in place, so you need to work out how much money you are happy to spend on the event before you start planning. There are also always ways to make savings to bring your costs down.
No Clear Theme
Another common mistake is having no clear theme for the party. It is important to consider the purpose of the party and then choose a suitable theme. The theme will then influence many key decisions, including the music, food, and decorations. There are all kinds of themes to consider, such as:
- Cocktail party
- Garden party
- Black tie
- Fancy dress
- Tea party
- Era (pick a decade)
If it is a children's party you are planning, there are all kinds of fun themes that the kids are sure to love.
Unsuitable Venue
You also need to make sure you pick a venue that is suitable. This will be in terms of the size of your party but also accessibility - if you pick a venue in the middle of nowhere, you can't be surprised if people do not come or drive and leave early. The key is to know how many people will be in attendance and then choose somewhere that will be easy to get to. Of course, you can have the party at home to save money, but just be prepared for the mess!
Not Planning Cleanup
Nobody likes to think ahead to the next day when at a party, but you need to think about the cleanup if you're having the party at home. It is a good idea to have bin bags strategically placed around the party, but even with this, you can be sure that there will be a lot to tidy up the next day! This can be a lot for one person—especially if it was a late night—so you should arrange for help in advance.
Catering Yourself
Food is an essential ingredient for any kind of party. Catering for a large group is also an enormous amount of work and a lot of stress, which is why it is best left to the professionals. Hiring a catering company is one of the best decisions to make when planning a party, as you will be able to serve high-quality, gourmet food for all tastes and free up a huge amount of time and energy to focus on other areas of the party. You can find the top catering companies in your area online and choose one that best suits your needs. Additionally, be sure to keep any special dietary restrictions in mind when planning the menu.
Not Enough Refreshments
Following this, you want to avoid the mistake of not having enough refreshments at the party. It is a good idea to encourage people to bring their own, but you should also have plenty of drinks available for guests. You also need to make sure that all tastes are catered for, so you should provide a range of beers, wines, spirits, and soft drinks. Consider the number of people who are planning to come when deciding how much to buy - it is much better to have too much than too little!
Lack Of Entertainment
Entertainment is another important consideration. It will depend on the type of event that you are hosting, but at the very least, you will need to have a playlist of suitable music and a high-quality sound system. You could also plan a few games to play or hire a DJ or band to perform. You do not want your guests to become bored, so entertainment is something that you should always consider in advance.
Lack Of Restroom Preparation
If you are having a party at your house, you need to prepare for the fact that you will be having a large number of people using the restroom throughout the event. Therefore, you need to prepare in advance by deep cleaning the space and stocking up on hand soap and toilet rolls. Consider hiring portable toilets, which can preserve your facilities and prevent people from having to come inside the house (this is helpful if you only have an upstairs toilet and you do not want people traipsing through your home).
No Contingency Plans
Anyone with experience in party planning will tell you that things very rarely go exactly according to plan. This is why it is so important that you have contingency plans so that the party will run smoothly in different circumstances. The most common issue that people face with party planning is weather issues, so you need to have a contingency plan if you are planning on being outside. This could be having enough space inside the home to celebrate or hiring a marquee to use that can create a dry space outside.
These are the biggest party planning mistakes that you will want to avoid at all costs. Planning a party is stressful because there is a lot of pressure and many areas that need attention, but the advice in this post should help you avoid making the most common mistakes that hold parties back from being successful.