Anyone who has ever planned any kind of event knows exactly how much work goes into pulling off the perfect occasion. Whether you’re planning a wedding, anniversary party, or a corporate event, these tips will help you navigate the many steps of planning your event.
4. Pick a Theme
Picking the right theme can give you clear guidelines for planning your event while setting the stage for a memorable party. A theme doesn’t need to be something like “80s night” or “superheroes.” A theme can be much more understated and subtle. Some people might think of “theme parties” as gimmicky, but having a theme is incredibly important, even for corporate events.
If the event is a conference, you might pick a theme based on what speakers are talking about. Or it might be something as simple as “awards ceremony.” If you are planning a birthday party, then yes, you might choose something a little more fun. A theme can help guide your decisions while you’re planning your event, because it helps you understand the look and feel you want to achieve.
3. Know Your Budget
You have probably heard lots about people trying to plan weddings on shoestring budgets. Other events also require budgets—and it’s important that you know what your budget is, no matter what kind of event you are planning. Why is it important? Because events can be expensive! There are lots of moving pieces, so things can add up quickly if you aren’t careful.
While knowing your overall budget is good, it’s incredibly useful to have a budget breakdown handy. The budget breakdown guides your decisions while you are planning your event. If you only know your overall budget, you may not divide the funds up properly—you may spend too much on the venue and then not have enough for food.
2. Make a List of Items
You’ve started planning your event, and you know you need to book a venue and hire caterers. You’ll also need to decide on a menu to serve your guests. Those are key points, but don’t forget the small things. Will you need to source rentals? Are there any decorations provided by your venue? Do you have signage or swag bags for your corporate function?
While planning your event, make a list of the different items you’ll need to consider. You may need to book chairs and tables if these aren’t supplied by the venue. (Your caterer or event planner can likely help.) Do you need decorations? If you are planning a corporate event, you may think you don’t, but many corporate events do actually have decorations.
Whether it is a banner to go up on the wall or a table centerpiece or balloons, decorations are an often-overlooked aspect of event planning. You might also consider lighting, wait staff, AV, and a number of other factors that could affect the day of your event.
1. Call in the Pros
Event planning can be difficult; some people even find it overwhelming. Busy professionals tasked with planning a corporate event may find they don’t have the time to properly plan the event. Similarly, a person planning a birthday party may not know where to start.
That’s where the professionals can help you. It’s not too tricky to find caterers that can help you with more than just the food—some caterers may offer full event-planning services. That means they can help you with the menu, but they may also help you find and book a venue, ensure you have proper decorations and furnishing, and that you stay on budget. Best of all, they’ll work with you to make sure that your event goes off without a hitch.
