Party Planning Where Do I Start?

[JennyQueen]

Party Planning  Where Do I Start?
 Thinking of having a party, but put off by the prospect of arranging it all? Don’t panic - we’ll help you on your way!Party supplies from the Confetti shop, clockwise from top left: Vintage Rose Party Poppers?| Simply?Gold Star Sparklers | Vintage Rose Canape Sticks | White Mini Paper LanternsWhat are the key factors?There are four essentials to consider when planning your party:? the purpose of the occasion? the person whose party it is? your likely guests? your budgetYour guests will largely influence the sort of party you have, so consider them when planning. A family occasion such as a christening, for example, is likely to differ in character from an 18th birthday party.Now ask yourself what kind of party you want.? Do you want a formal sit down affair or an informal do?? Would you like organised entertainment or simply to provide an opportunity for people to meet and socialise?            ? What music and/or activities would make the party go with a swing?? What would make the occasion special for the person/people that the party is for?Venue, food and entertainment should again be tailored to your guests and their preferences. Caterers and organised entertainment will bump up the cost, but leave you with a lot less to do. Cost out the various options and choose the best solution that is within your budget and appropriate for the occasion.The dateIf the date has to be fixed, make sure your guests know about it well in advance, so they can keep it free. If it’s not, choose a date and start time for your party that will suit your guests’ circumstances.Lists, lists and more listsWrite a list of every party job you can think of. Get as much done as you can in the week before the event - food preparation, organising drinks, glass hire, decoration, your outfit - basically anything that doesn’t need to be done on the day. In particular, try to get as much help on the night as you can - you’ve invited all these people, so make sure you have time to talk to them!On the dayBe dressed and ready well ahead. Don’t allow domestic issues to distract you from enjoying your party, and make the most of seeing your guests. You’ve worked hard to provide all the ingredients of a good party - now stop worrying and enjoy the fruits of your labour!There is lots more Party advice available on Confetti!|||With wedding preparations in full swing, chances are the last thing you want to take on is more planning. But for a honeymoon to remember, it's worth taking time to get it right. Who organises the honeymoon?Traditionally, it's the job of the groom to organise and book the honeymoon perhaps even keeping it a secret from the bride (if he's romantic... and brave!). Conventionally he should foot the bill too, although most couples now simply share the cost and enjoy organising the honeymoon together.The surprise honeymoonIf you do plan a surprise trip for your partner, make sure you have a good idea of her expectations and plan things you'll both enjoy doing. Think about something that she'll really look forward to, bearing in mind that your honeymoon will probably be straight after your wedding. Just because your bride to be loves rock climbing, doesn't mean she'll want to do it on her honeymoon. She might prefer to relax and recuperate after the excitement of the wedding. You'll also need to advise her on what clothes to pack (beach or city? sun or snow?) and ensure she has all the necessary documentation and vaccinations.            It takes twoFor many couples, sitting down together to plan the trip of a lifetime is one of the most exciting parts of the pre wedding experience and something they can do without family interference. So even if the groom takes on the research and organisation, make it a joint venture and enjoy it. Think about what you both want to do. Make sure that neither of you is agreeing to two weeks on a beach or a month's trekking in the Alps just to keep the other happy.Remember, too, that you don't have to follow other people's preconceptions about honeymoons. 'Whatever makes you happy' is the key. So if playing scrabble together is what you really enjoy, don't worry that it isn't romantic enough just do it.Honeymoon moneyIt's not a fun subject and it crops up all the time, but you really do need to think about what you can afford to spend on your honeymoon. Think of it as part of your wedding budget and plan accordingly. Bear in mind that it's generally better to choose a less expensive holiday and have more spending money than to find you have a week in a fantastic location with just about enough cash to buy two coffees.If you have your heart set on somewhere that you really can't afford, you have two options. The first is to take out a loan, which you obviously must be confident about paying back, and the other is to wait a while. Postponing your honeymoon and saving up for a few months might not seem hugely exciting, but it's certainly something to look forward to after the excitement of your wedding has died down.

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