A birthday provides the ideal opportunity to celebrate. Whether the party is for you or someone close to you, it offers the chance for the birthday boy/girl to have an unforgettable time surrounded by their nearest and dearest.
The actual planning of the party can be an exciting task. You get to select the venue, food, entertainment, and everything else that is required for a celebration to remember. The necessary amount of work can also cause those stress levels to rise by an uncomfortable amount.
To ensure you do not suffer too much from the stress, this guide is here to assist you with planning the ultimate birthday party. The following steps will detail the main areas to focus on with the party, which means you will not miss any important details as you put together a shindig to delight your friends and family.
Pick a date
It is a birthday party so the date should be obvious, right? While you will want to have someone’s party on their birthday in an ideal world, this is not always the best option. Say their big day on a Tuesday. Even though venue costs will likely be cheaper due to it being a weekday, this is not going to be the most convenient day for guests. They could be busy with work or other plans. This is why a weekend date is recommended.
Not only do you have to settle on a date, but you want to do this as far in advance as possible. This way, your planned attendees can mark it on their calendars and ensure nothing else comes up that will stop them from making an appearance.
Settle on a guest list
The next step to planning a birthday party should be focused on the guest list. If this is your own party, putting together, this list will be easy enough as you will know exactly who you want to invite. Yet if you are organizing this party for someone else, the process becomes a little trickier – particularly if it is a surprise celebration. If it is not a surprise, consult with the person to see who they would like to include on their guest list.
Getting an accurate headcount is vital for determining your budget. Whether it is a small soiree or a big bash, you do not want to suffer from unaccounted space issues. Plus, you want to ensure you settle on a big enough venue for all guests to mingle in comfort.
Aside from the venue, the number of people will also help decide your overall expenditure. For instance, the more guests you have at the party, the more money you will have to spend on food, drinks, and invitations.
Pick your venue
The venue will dictate many different aspects of your planned party. It will affect the type of entertainment you want, catering, and even your styling plans. It is also where a large portion of your budget will often go.
As a result, it is of the utmost importance that you select a venue that not only matches your vision but is a viable choice for the type of birthday celebration you are planning. For instance, if it is a small and intimate affair with a handful of guests, there is no requirement to hold the event at a separate venue. You can save money and make it a less complicated affair by simply hosting it at your home.
However, if you are having a larger celebration, hiring a venue is the only way to go. While a hotel conference room or restaurant might do the job, you can go all-out with a celebration on a party yacht rental. By hitting the waters in a luxurious yacht, you are supplied with a unique and memorable experience from the start. Plus a yacht will typically provide you with ample space to play around with when it comes to seating arrangements, décor, and entertainment.
Envision the space
Once you have a venue in mind, it is time to think about how you will arrange the space into one that is ideal for a party. Common requests include:
- Formal dining area
- Dance floor
- Lounge area
- Dessert table
- Bar station
As well as what you want to populate within the space, you also have to consider how the layout will function. For example, certain areas of the venue may experience excessive crowding or bottlenecking, which are two points you want to avoid if possible.
Depending on the venue you choose, there might be an option to enlist their party planning experts’ help. This way, you can relax and be safe in the knowledge the venue is transformed into a fantastic – and functional – party space.
Theme: yes or no?
The theme of your event is going to dictate the tone of the entire party. You could decide to go funky with a 70s disco party, more refined with an upmarket shindig, or even a Sesame Street one for younger guests. Whatever you decide, remember to consider the tastes of the birthday boy or girl.
Of course, you do not necessarily have to go with a distinct theme for the party. Instead, you might opt to keep it straightforward in that regard, with your aim based on the colors and hues used to decorate the venue. Even without a set theme, this type of design can go a long way to creating an enchanting, exciting atmosphere.
Selecting the entertainment
With the theme in place, you will have a greater idea about the type of entertainment to use for the occasion. If you are going to a disco party, for instance, you will want to bring in a DJ that will get your guests busting a move. If the event is a casino night, you will want card dealers and roulette operators, while fun games can liven up children’s parties.
Any type of live entertainment – from magicians to dance acts – can give the party a distinct focal point to delight you and your guests.
