So you’ve decided to plan a party. Whether it’s for you or for someone else, the task that lies ahead is not as easy as one might think and you can easily get yourself into a pickle or even forget something rather significant.
Domino’s Tents 4 Rent have shared 7 essential tips for party planning:
1.Planning is Key:
Preparation and planning is the only way you will stay stress free with your party plan. Checklists are the way to go to ensure you have everything covered and help keep you on track with what still has to be done.
3. The Venue:
Depending on the type, size and budget of the party you are planning, choosing the right place is essential for setting the tone of the party. Hiring a venue can be rather pricey and you have to abide by the venue rules.
The best option to create a party with your style and flare will be to hire your own marquee and furniture. This gives you the freedom of creating a party the way you want, when you want and to be able to decorate it with your style. Domino’s Tents 4 Rent is the perfect solution.
2. Choosing the date:
Choose a date that doesn’t coincide with other events. Look online and see if there are any other important happenings in your surroundings or if one of your friends is having a party on that day too.
You will never be able to please everyone but having an afternoon party at the same time as a major sporting event for example could mean that many male friends won’t attend or they will be sitting around the nearest T.V.
“We had a client who got married on the same day as the world cup rugby final. Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned according to the seating arrangements.”
4. The Guest List:
The size of your guest list depends on the size of your party area. Keep your list realistic and confirm numbers ahead of time so you can plan your seating. This will also help keep your budget in check and manage those last minute details that inevitably crop up.
If you have a variety of ages attending your party, ensure adequate seating is supplied for all.
“Granny Pat will not enjoy sitting high up on a bar stool but would rather be more comfortable at a lower padded chair.”
5. The Food and Drinks
There are a great number of options when choosing what food to have at your party. Whether you are having a casual summer braai or a formal cocktail party, there should be a constant supply of tasty snacks available for your guests. Have bowls of crisps with dip, nuts and fruit placed on tables for guests to help themselves.
Prepping and doing your own canapés and food is a popular choice but with it comes unnecessary exhaustion and stress which leaves many hosts saying they will never host a party again.
Keeping track of the food, topping up the drinks and keeping your guests entertained throughout the party is tiresome and it can take out the fun of throwing a party. That is why hiring professional caterers is the way to go. For a simple garden party, you could order platters ahead of time or for a lavish event you could have caterers at your party serving, leaving you to focus on your guests.
Having welcome drinks is always a nice touch. Champagne or Pimm’s Lemonade on arrival are classic hits. Another great idea is to have a large bowl of punch on a side table with a large ladle and cups. Ensure you are well stocked with all types of alcohol, from beer to wine and even a few shooters for later on.
Don’t forget the ice! Ice is the one thing that always seems to get forgotten and someone ends up having to drive out to get more. Keep things cool in large plastic or galvanized tubs that you can hire from Domino’s. Add one or two bags of ice and fill the tub with water. All the beers and drinks will keep cold for the rest of the day.
6. Entertainment
It won’t be a good party without music and entertainment and having background music is a must. We suggest creating a few playlists ahead of time with a wide variety of music for a good few hours. Create a background music playlist for when guests are arriving and eating and a party music playlist for when you want to get the dancing started.
Ensure your entertainment system and speakers are charged beforehand or have a power source by running an extension cord.
Don’t forget to warn your neighbours. A letter sent out to your surrounding neighbours a week before the party informing them of the party details is a polite and thoughtful gesture. You could even invite them along too.
7. Weather
Nothing can stress out a party planner more than the weather. Waking up to a grey and gloomy sky on the day when you have arranged a beautiful outdoors party can easily leave you in a spin to relocate the party inside.
Plan ahead for weather issues by hiring a marquee from Domino’s Tents 4 Rent. You can then rest assured that nothing is going to stop you from your perfect event.
