Newstricky| Whether it’s social, professional, or organizing a charity fundraiser, there is always an excuse to plan a showstopping event that is designed to impress guests. Coming up with themes and ideas for these events can be a lot of fun, but putting everything together and making sure the event goes smoothly is a different matter. It can be very stressful putting an event together and managing each aspect of it, so if you have been put in charge of event planning for your job, a birthday party, or another occasion, here are five basic tips to remember that will help you.
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Set Out a Schedule
A good place to start when it comes to event planning is setting out a schedule for yourself with deadlines for when you need entertainment booked, catering, venue, etc. If you already have a date in mind for your event, work backward from this. It can take months to organize an event, particularly if it is going to be a large one for a company or a big celebration like a wedding. It’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time, as there will be situations that are out of your control that can delay bookings and so on, so never leave things until the last minute if you can avoid it.
Picking a Theme
Themes for events can help make the planning process easier; even choosing decorations can be made a simpler task. If you are in charge of a business event, you do also need to be mindful about how you are incorporating the brand into it. It might be through color schemes that match the company’s logo or a theme that reflects the company’s ethos. For example, a company that focuses on green energy could have a garden party theme, using recycled decorations, eco-friendly lighting, etc. If you want some inspiration when it comes to choosing an event theme, look here for some ideas.
Catering
It’s important to make sure that there are some refreshments for your guests, even if it’s just some light snacks like canapes served with drinks. If you’re hosting a more formal event, you might want to consider organizing a three-course dinner to be served, and you can incorporate this into the ticket price for your event if you are selling them. You should speak to your venue manager about catering options as they might offer packages that are suitable for your event or not allow you to bring external catering services into the venue. You’ll also need to think about serving refreshing and delicious drinks at your event, and if there is not a bar at your venue, look at hiring a company like this bartending service Denver to help quench your guests’ thirst. Just make sure that the venue has the correct licenses for you to serve alcohol on-site first.
Entertainment
At a business event, you might have a presentation or guest speaker planned for your main event, but even then, you should think about entertainment for your guests when this main event is over. Live music is always popular, but you could also think about running a fun quiz, scavenger hunt, or some other games for your guests to get involved in. It’s good to have a form of entertainment to avoid awkward lulls during your event and for everyone to have a good time, even if it is a professional event.
Promotion/Invitations
For professional and charity events, it’s important to make sure that it is being promoted efficiently to boost ticket sales. Social media is a good place to start when it comes to promoting your event, but you should also create an events page on dedicated websites like Eventbrite or Skiddle where interested parties can purchase tickets or book their place if it is free event. This will not only make sure that people know about your event but help you to get a better idea of how many people are expected to show up so that you can be better prepared on the night.
If you’re hosting a private event for friends and family, creating an event page on Facebook or a group message on WhatsApp is another good way to keep everyone in the loop about when and where your party will be held, as well as any last-minute changes. You might also want to send out formal invitations if it’s a special occasion that people can RSVP to in the months leading up to your event.
If you are in charge of organizing an event for either personal or professional reasons, use these basic tips to help you when it comes to the planning process and put on an event that all of your guests will love.
