- Delegate, delegate, delegate
Always have a rain plan You can never have too much ice Some people think planning parties is a piece of cake, while others would rather do anything else.
For newbie party hosts, event planning can feel like trying to keep 500 plates spinning at different speeds, while simultaneously learning how to make a plate. Depending on who you ask, it can be thrilling or terrifying.
We're here to help! From cakes to cleanup, decor to delectable bites, we’ve rounded up the essential ingredients to pull off party perfection!
Not sure where to start? These questions will help you define your event and narrow down your selection.
- What’s your budget?
- How many people do you expect? Don't forget to factor in parents, siblings, or obvious family members (like yourself) into your guest count!
- Will it be a drop-off, or will the parents stay?
- What time of day? How long?
- What kind of venue are you looking for? Do you want to go the DIY route or show up and enjoy the party?
- Does your venue allow outside food, or do they have set vendors?
- Are you going to pick up the food or get it delivered? Ask the venue if they have preferred pizza places.
- What kind of activities will you do? Hiring any additional entertainers?
- Decor - DIY or professional route? Budget? Theme? It's easy to get caught up in trends. Be realistic when it comes to your skills, time, and bandwidth. It will take longer than you think!
- What’s the rain plan? No one likes to think about a rain plan until rain is in the forecast. Trust us, you'll save yourself a headache by asking early.
- What are the closing rules? Who takes the trash? Can you store stuff?
- What does the venue provide vs what you need to bring? Think small - cups, cake-cutting tools, tablecloths, extension cords, etc.
- What other pros do you need to hire? Photographer, DJ, etc.
- What jobs can you delegate before, during, and after the party? Make sure everyone knows their role before the party starts.
