5 Steps To Party Success
From venues to menus, bands to bars, we take a look at some of the key ingredients that make up a fantastic party.
Everybody loves a party. But while throwing a party can be great fun, it can also be a little bit daunting. We’ve put together some top tips to help you keep your guests happy and ensure that your party is a roaring success.
Get Organised
It might not sound very exciting, but good organisation is key to ensuring your party goes without a hitch. Before you do anything else it’s important to sit down and plan out the party – what you want to achieve, what tasks need to be carried out, by when and by who, what your budget is – to avoid any pitfalls or unpleasant surprises further down the line.
If your budget allows, you might want to consider hiring a professional party planner who can help to fine tune your plans and spot any potential issues before they arise. Alternatively, there are some great event-planning apps and online tools around which enable you to streamline the party-planning process and stay on top of things.
Choosing a Venue
When it comes to organising a party, choosing the right venue is one of the most important considerations. The venue that works best for your party will depend on a number of different factors, such as the number of guests, your budget, type of party, how easy it is to get to, and even the weather if you’re considering a party outdoors.
Hotels and established event venues are a good option as they have a lot of experience in event-planning and usually provide a coordinator for your event, which takes a lot of the pressure off you. Marquees on the other hand are a great blank canvas – perfect if you’re looking to get creative and really put your own stamp on things.
Supplying The ‘Party Spirit’
When planning your party, you need to think about what you will provide in the way of drinks. A free bar always goes down well and is guaranteed to get your guests in the party mood, but it can eat into your budget and there is the very real risk of guests overindulging! A good cost-effective alternative is to provide a welcome drink, such as a cocktail or glass of bubbly, and then offer a cash bar.
If you are using a venue that doesn’t have its own bar, you will need to think about how you will supply the drinks – and hiring a portable bar is a great option in these circumstances. A portable bar can add a real ‘wow factor’ to your event, giving your guests access to a wide range of beverages. Most companies, such as Mobile Bar Essex, give you the option of hiring a fully-staffed bar or simply hiring the bar equipment and serving the drinks yourself – so you have the flexibility to select the option that works best for your event and your budget.
Fabulous Food
One of the key things many people remember (and talk about) after an event is the quality of the food – so make sure yours is up to scratch. This doesn’t mean you have to serve an extravagant 3-course dinner – instead, let the theme and style of your party, along with your budget, dictate your menu.
For a glamorous cocktail party, you could have waiters circulating with a selection of tasty canapes, while for a more informal gathering, a BBQ or hog roast will usually go down well. Setting up food ‘stations’ around the venue, such as a chocolate fountain, or cheese board, is also a great way to encourage guests to move around the room and mingle.
Entertainment Is Key
To make your party go with a bang and ensure your guests have a great time, it’s important to get the entertainment right. Again, this will depend on the type of party you are throwing and the people who will be attending. If you’re looking for people to let their hair down and hit the dance floor, then a DJ or live band is a must.
Away from the dance floor, you could look at setting up alternative entertainment options such as a mobile casino, giant games area, or even a photo booth with fun props which will allow people take away their own memento from the evening.
Whether you’re planning an informal gathering in your garden or a glamorous get-together in a high-end venue, a little ingenuity and a lot of planning will help to keep your party on the right track. And remember, your party is personal to you, so get creative, let your imagination run riot, and above all have fun!
Richard White is the founder of Essex Guide, a new events and networking guide for Essex’s entrepreneurs and socialites.