The Golden Rules Of Party Planning Posted by Mike's Blog Marketing Tips on November 2nd, 2010
Organizing a party you show your guests how important they are to you. If you are planning a gathering, there's six golden rules you are to remember for creating a memorable and fun event:
Carry Out Your Theme in Everything You Do To theme or not to theme, that is always a good question. Don't let theme parties intimidate you-- they're fun! Whether you're planning a pajama party, a simple martini-themed cocktail party or transforming your home into Lewis Carrolls "Alice in Wonderland" you can likely get lots of inspiration for your theme from things you already have around your house.
The Golden Rule regarding theme, mood and color is that whatever you choose should be carried out in everything you do because it enrolls your guests into the complete party experience.
Make Your Invitations Inviting Let's face it; boring invitations are not going to motivate anyone to come to your shindig.
The Golden Rule for invitations is to make them inviting which means tie them into your theme and be sure to make some excitement!
Remember, your invitations should be creative and attractive. Because it's the first thing your guests see, the invite is a great opportunity to introduce your theme.
It can also give your guests clues on how to dress, what to expect at the party and it sets the stage for a good time!
Don't Stress About Food and Drinks
Food and drinks do not need to be time consuming or difficult for a party. The Golden Rule is never stress --take advantage of your resources and make it easy on yourself.
With food and beverage, it's always better to have too much than too little. Take into account the number of guests you're expecting.
Engage Your Guests in An Activity The number one secret to a great party is to get your guests engaged in something -- anything!
So when deciding on the type of activity, imagine that your guests are gathered at the party and you say, "OK everyone it's time to (blank)!" Ask yourself what will people be in the mood for, taking into consideration the time and what they're wearing, what will be the most fun thing to do.
Give Something from Your Heart Set your party a part; give them something from your heart. That's the Golden Rule of special touches.
Give your guests something different to take home with them that captures the memories and reminds them of your party for years to come.
Photographs make great special touches. You can use them for party favors, place cards, thank you notes, even as keepsakes for the guest of honor.
And as far as party favors go--think outside the bag--get creative with your containers, as well as then fill them with items that are thoughtful, memorable and tied to your theme.
Plan to make a wedding really one of a kind? Then you might understand that all this starts with bridal shower invitations. If you have pretty invitations anyone will be intrigued with visiting your party. It is even possible to go further --make your own invitations! And here the Internet could be helpful to you -- find there the most touching invitations and how to make them. Also there one can find nice baby shower favors for future.
And remember that we live in the world of high online technologies. It would be intelligent to use the online network to look for anything at the best prices available on the market. Search engines, social networks, blogs and forums-- all this will assist you to make a decision on many issues.
Compromise, compromise, compromise
So,
in case you haven't already figured this out, the process of planning
any kind of event involves compromise. However, planning a Bar or Bat
Mitzvah involves compromise on a whole new level. And, add a soon to
be teenage girl into the mix coupled with media influences (ever see My
Super Sweet Sixteen?) and watch out.
Personally, we were adamant
about not losing sight of the importance of this milestone. The
amount of study and preparation that goes into becoming a Bat Mitzvah
is significant. There's the requisite Torah portion (chanted in Hebrew
without vowels), the Haftorah (in Hebrew), the D'var Torah (meaningful
explanation of Torah portion written by the Bat Mitzvah), multiple
blessings and more. Weekly tutoring, while absolutely necessary,
became an event to loathe for our lovely pre-teen. It was, in her
mind, a big inconvenience. My constant nagging didn't help but I
adopted the mantra that went something like this, "no study, no
party." Harsh? Absolutely. While we tend to focus more on the party
planning and all the fabulous details, in our minds it was a 50/50
proposition-part study, part celebration. Click here for more
Q & A with JANICE CHERKASKY OF GOURMET PARTIES
Q: My daughter just got engaged, and I don't know what to do first. Any suggestions?
A: Planning a wedding, Bar Mitzvah, or any big party can be overwhelming. The first thing to do is pick a date. Then establish a budget and choose your venue accordingly. Decide what kind of party you want; how many people, what time of day, etc.
Q: What are some of the things to consider when I'm deciding where to hold the party?
A: The obvious first step is to make sure the venue is available on the date of your party, and that it has the space to accommodate your guests. Be specific about the kind of space you need, such as a separate room for hors d'oeuvres or a dance floor. Then meet with the catering manager, since you'll be working closely together, and determine whether this is a person that is open to suggestions and easy to communicate with.
Q: What are some of the questions I should ask?
A: Find out whether or not the venue has a minimum for food and beverage. Are you allowed to bring in your own liquor, or do you have to use theirs? If so, is there a per-drink option rather than an open bar price? If your party will be held during the summer months, or you live in a warm climate, ask about outdoor facilities. What about the chef; how long has he or she been there? What are his or her specialties? Will they provide a pre-party tasting of your menu selections? Find out how much time they allow between parties so you can plan your set-up and clean-up activities accordingly. What kind of deposit is required and when is it due? What is the refund policy in case of cancellation or other changes? Whenever possible, talk to other people who have had parties at the same venue. If you don't know anyone, ask the catering director to provide some references.
Q: What hidden costs should I watch for?
A: People often forget to ask about valet parking. Does the venue provide it? If not, can you bring in your own parking service? If it's provided, is there an extra charge or is it included in your overall room rental? If there is a charge, is it a set amount or a per car fee? Is tipping included? Room decor is another factor. Ask about table linens; some facilities include white tablecloths and napkins but charge extra for colors. Is skirting required, and, if so, is that included? What about chair covers? Will the standard room lighting suffice, or will you need to bring in special lighting. What about a sound system, microphones, and speakers? If you're going to be showing a video presentation, will the venue provide equipment or will you need to rent it yourself? If the party venue is far away from most of your guests, factor in the cost of providing a bus or other form of transportation.
Q: If I'm having a lot of out-of-town guests, what's the best way to accommodate them?
A: If your party is at a hotel, they often have special room rates for party guests. Ask about transportation, too; some hotels have shuttles to and from the airport or nearby shopping areas. Note: See Getting Your Home Ready for Out-of-town Guests (article below).
Q: What are some ways I can cut costs and still have an elegant party?
A: You can start with the invitations by using an online site instead of a more expensive stationery store. If dancing is a must, consider a DJ instead of a live band. Find a photographer who will charge for his or her services and then provide you with a CD instead of requiring you to buy a costly photo album. Rent or borrow a wedding gown, bridesmaid dresses, and tuxedos. And don't be afraid to ask for a discount or negotiate a better price. Everyone is sensitive to the economic issues these days. Some venues may be willing to negotiate the room rental or other costs, especially if your out-of-town guests will be staying there, too.
Janice Cherkasky, of Gourmet Parties, Inc. in Franklin, Michigan, has been helping people give memorable parties of all kinds for more than 35 years. Contact her at 248-851-0121 or www.gourmetparties.com
GETTING YOUR HOME READY FOR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS by Ronelle Grier
Out-of-town family and friends can add another dimension to your party preparations. . Even if your party guests are staying at a hotel, your home will quickly become "Party Central," the place where everyone gathers for Friday night dinner, Sunday brunch, and everything in between. Designer and event planner Dave Heidt offers some easy ways to make your guests feel welcome without overburdening your budget or your already lengthy to-do list.
Be realistic. Planning your celebration is a major undertaking; it's not the time to remodel your kitchen, add another downstairs bathroom, or build that multi-level deck you saw in last month's issue of Better Homes and Gardens. If you are planning to have any work done, such as carpet cleaning or painting, allow plenty of time. You don't want to be tripping over contractors or breathing paint fumes when you're getting ready for your big event. Small changes can make a huge impact. Get your house company-ready by rearranging your furniture or adding some inexpensive floor lamps, throw pillows or area rugs to create conversation areas. If you're short on seating, rent some folding chairs. If it's coat season, and you have the space, you may want to rent a coat rack as well. Transform your rooms with strategically placed potted plants and containers of fresh flowers. When you buy mums or gladiolas, remember to pick the ones with the tightest buds; they'll last longer. Buy fresh towels and colored guest soaps for your powder room. Brighten up your kitchen with some new dish towels; update your dining area with new napkins and place mats. Create warmth by using your fireplace, and fill your home with the scent of freshly baked bread or cookies. Start at your own front door. Take an objective look at your house as if you were visiting for the first time. Notice your front porch and entryway. If your planters resemble something from the Addams family, filled with the remains of last summer's flowers, fall is a great time to replace those dead plants with clearance-priced evergreens or decorative grasses. Has your "welcome mat" lost its welcome? A new one from Target or Wal-Mart or even your local hardware store will give your porch a fresh look.
A little de-cluttering can make a big difference. Clear off your counter tops, tables, and other surfaces; put away everything that isn't party-related. Take those piles of newspapers and old magazines out to the garage or basement. Delegate a space for the things related to your party, preferably away from your main living areas. Create a kids-only zone. Turn your basement or den into a safe and child-proof space where your younger guests can have their own fun. Scatter some bean bags or large pillows around for extra seating. Make sure to put away anything hazardous or breakable.
Turn your guest room into a five-star hotel. If you're having overnight guests in your home, make them feel welcome by providing fresh bed linens, plenty of clean towels, a reading lamp, and some books and magazines. Make room in the drawers and closets, and don't forget extra hangers. A welcome basket filled with travel-sized shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste will make any guest feel special. Add bottled water or soda and snack-size goodies, such as candy, nuts, chips or pretzels, so your guests don't have to roam the halls when late-night hunger pangs hit.
About Ronelle Grier Ronelle Grier is a freelance feature writer and author of the upcoming book and website, Smart Shopping Secrets: How to Spend Less and Get More. She writes for a variety of local and national publications and is a two-time recipient of the National Jewish Press Association's Simon Rockower Award for feature articles published in the Detroit Jewish News. Ronelle and her three children live in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Contact her at ronelleg@aol.com.
About Dave Heidt For more than 10 years, Dave has been planning and designing events around town. He understands the changing trends, what's hot, what's not and is comfortable working within any budget level. For more information or a quote, contact Dave at 248-396-6367 or email him at dpheidt@amertech.net.
VENDORS
Event Planning and Coordination Ali Lazzeri 248-408-8660 alilazzeri@gmail.com Specializing in weddings and wedding related events. Designing events that will be treasured for a lifetime.
Andrea Solomon 6405 Tamerlane Drive West Bloomfield, MI 4832 contact: Andrea Solomon 248-626-3421 andrea@andreasolomon.com andreasolomon.com
