Everybody loves a good party, but not everyone is entirely sure on the details that go into preparing one. Even though the holiday season is over, it can still be the perfect time to have a gala event. From celebrating your company’s latest merger to founding a new house of worship, uniting for an evening of food, music, and conversation is always a good time. Trying to handle all the odds and ends by yourself can be intimidating, but much of the hassle can be eliminated with a bit of organization and pre-thought. The following list can be applied to any event that your group or organization is planning in the near future.
The very first thing you should decide on is who will be attending your party. This is most often the easiest step, but don’t feel content to just glaze over on the details. In fact, this step should be completed at least three weeks prior to your planned engagement. How many people can your budget afford to feed, will there be a significant amount of people who won’t be able to attend, will you need to invite any special guest speakers? The answers to all of these questions can help shape other aspects, such as time or venue.
Also, if you plan on buying food from a vender, the order should be placed at least a day in advance. The cooking staff will appreciate it, and you will most likely get a better product than if it were rushed. Don’t forget the dietary needs of your guests! A vegetarian who arrives at the event where nothing but meat sandwiches are being served is sure to be left with some bitter feelings.
Now let’s talk about one of the key factors that can make or break a party – the location! How many people are going to be at your event and what is the occasion? While some celebrations might be fit to have in a small reception center, if you’re expecting a large turnout you may need to go bigger. If everyone in your college, church, or business has been invited, you can provide a vast and luxurious setting by renting banquet halls for the evening. What could be more awe inspiring than holding the graduation party or annual company affair in a lavishly decorated banquet facility?
Finally, organize the venue to fit the expectations of your groups. Is there going to be dancing? If so, you may need to set aside an area with no tables or chairs. These interior decorative decisions should be decided on days before hand, otherwise you may end up with cramped guests looking to escape for a breath of air. Once all of these preparations are complete, all you’ll need to do is work on your hosting demeanor and casual conversation to throw a memorable event!
