PARTY PLANNING
If you’re planning a party any when soon, here are a few top tips on how best to go about it. Start the planning early would be my number one piece of advice, like 6 months at least. You’ll need a little vision and a lot of help. It could be a mad one for 150 of your loopier mates, it could be an old-fashioned DP for 12, either will take a similar amount of thought and dedication.
We always plan our parties from both ends simultaneously. From the beginning and from the end, then when we reach the middle, the plan is done. Some people say that the planning is the most enjoyable part, and they actually can’t bear the idea of a hundred guests turning up to ‘large it’ in their garden. And then there are some who say if the host had a really good time, it probably wasn’t a very good party, the host is there to work, everyone else is there to play and you can’t afford to take your eye off the ball.
We don’t say either of those things, but we do like to mix it up. The important thing about a party, is where is the energy coming from, obviously from the people, so another top tip is ‘invite the flames, the moths will follow.’ And keep it youthful, I’ve been partying hard for 50 years, slightly tailing off now if I’m honest, but I have two daughters, early 20’s who are complete animals when it comes to having a good time, and so are their mates, so they would all be on the guest list.
The invitation is crucial, sets the tone, a tantalising hint at what’s to come rather than setting out an agenda. It gets guests excited so they’re talking about it to friends, getting pumped, discussing outfits and guaranteed to arrive raring to go. Be clear about start and finish times so people can pace themselves accordingly, be clear about what food and drink is on offer and what guests should contribute on the night, or day.
You need to think about pace and the big reveal. Where are the fireworks, not literally fireworks, but they could be. Cocktails on arrival are always a hit, https://www.cartailsandevents.com/ run a great bar calms the nerves and gets guests smiling and chatting. Music is crucial, certainly at our parties, so invest a bit in the sound system and the dance arena. Hire in a bit of kit from https://www.allthekit.com/ ’. Fortunately, practically everyone is a DJ these days, so there’ll be no shortage of volunteers to fill that slot. And save something for later, it will be the one thing guests remember.
And then there’s the budget, the great party pooper you might think. Well no, it’s rarely about the money, it’s about the creativity. And having a bunch of creative friends to draw upon. Of course, if you haven’t got the creativity, something the government is trying to stamp out in schools and universities, in place of Science and Technology, then it probably is about the money. If you happen to be minted, then you’ll probably get a planner in with a bunch of staff to do all the work. Most of us aren’t, so divvy up the tasks to friends. Borrow things, but remember to take them back. Make decorations well in advance. Draw a picture of what you want it all to look like. Save a fortune by not spending one.
Finally, everyone loves getting ready for a party and will be willing to help with a couple of hours here and there, collecting kit from the hire company, trestle tables from the village hall, straw bales from the farmer, firewood from the copse. Nobody loves clearing up afterwards, so that’s where it’s worth investing some hard earned and employing a few professional to come in and blitz the situation. Don’t ask friends to help at this point. They will turn up, with a few beers and within the hour you’ll have another party on your hands with double the clearing up to do when they’ve gone.