Is there a way to create a perfect party plan?

What do you love – hosting a party or attending a party? I love both, but I deeply love throwing a party…any party, I even love just helping people with parties and events. I have had events that left me exhausted, frustrated, and with too many leftovers and too much house to clean. I don’t mean to sound selfish here, but if I am not enjoying it before, during and after, what’s the point? Maybe you’ve never planned a party or don’t enjoy it. Maybe you are thinking “What’s the point?”

Just to remind myself, the point is fun with friends and family, celebrating a special milestone, enjoying syncing up during the Holidays. Right? If you are cringing right now, because it is June and I am talking Holidays, stop cringing and start dreaming of the perfectly planned party that you and your guests will talk about for years to come…in a good way, not in a “that was a disaster” kind of way.

The best parties I’ve thrown have been perfectly planned, but not every party I’ve thrown has been the “best”. I’ve learned from my mistakes. I’m a natural planner and organizer, but I know not everyone is. Having the perfect party takes planning, so either you have to do it or you have to pay someone to do it. Right?

Whether you plan it or pay someone to plan it, you still need to think through some basic strategies. I know this is not the boardroom or your family budget meeting, it’s ‘just’ a party, still it requires strategy!

4 PARTY PLANNING STRATEGIES

1. Party on Purpose

What kind of party are you planning? Graduation, birthday, baby shower, game night, Christmas party (yes, I said the C word again, it’s only six months away!). The purpose of your event will determine so many things – location, guest list, food, etc. Start by writing out a simple outline of all the who, what, when, where, and whys for this celebration. Starting there will help you focus on the next and, perhaps the most important strategy.

TIP: Keep all your plans from start to finish together – A notepad will usually do for small events, if you prefer paper, use a three ring binder for larger events, I personally prefer Evernote so I can take it all with me on my phone or tablet.

2. Dream it, then DO it

I really believe that if you can envision what you want, even when planning a party, you can make anything happen. My mom used to ask, “If time and money were not a problem, what would you do.” Dream of THAT kind of party and go for it. If you are throwing a party for someone, like your six year old superhero or your soon to be 40 sister, pick their brain. Find out what kind of party they are dreaming of and make that your vision.

3. Reverse Engineer

Once you have your basic plan outlined, and you have the perfect party vision, there are all kinds of decisions to make about the details. To help me figure out all the details, I like to reverse engineer the entire event. What’s my end goal? A happy, blessed 6 year old superhero? A successfully surprised sister who now really understands how much her friends and family love her? Whatever your end goal, work backwards from there.

Here is a very simple example of reverse engineering the perfect super hero party for your superhero, just to give you an idea. The end is at the beginning and the beginning of the plan is listed at the end – its in reverse, get it?   If not click here for an example, feel free to print for future reference: Party Planning Tips, Reverse Engineered Party Plan  After I reverse engineer, I sort everything in the correct order and my plan is ready to put into action.

4.  Stop, Drop & Roll

Even with all the planning and dreaming, things can go wrong or maybe not exactly turn out how you expected. I remember one birthday party for my daughter where almost everyone we invited showed up, even though we were planning on just a few more than the ones who had RSVPd. It’s the same party where my niece fell out of our dining room window! (no injuries, just a little scare)

So my best tip for you, no matter where you are in the planning stages or even in the midst of the party, if you are feeling off track or overwhelmed, is to stop, drop and roll. 

Stop what you are doing and take a deep breath

Drop something off your plan that really is not necessary

& Roll with the fact that sometimes the unexpected things make for the best memories

BONUS Strategy: After the event is finished update your party planner book with afterthoughts – Who showed up? What were the best memories? What did everyone enjoy? What did no one notice? Would you use the same services again (baker, caterer, party planner, entertainment)?  Did the layout work or do you wish you had set things up differently? Did you reach your end goal? This information will be invaluable when you start planning that, dare I say it, Christmas party.

While writing this I remembered several other party fouls and nifty planning tips that did not really fit here, but will definitely make it into some future posts. What disastrous party memories make you laugh today? What’s your best party planning strategy – to do or not to do? Post your comments so we can all laugh and learn together.

Blessings,

Lauree
…keep dancing the dream

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