Whether it’s a business event, a wedding, graduation, or just a fun party, you’ll always want to make it special. Throwing an event like this is hard. You want to make sure they enjoy their time and have something to remember it by afterward.
They’ll be able to leaf through their photo book and laugh at the good times that you’re responsible for. Throwing a good event is probably easier than you think…but here are some tips to help get you started.
Pictures Are Always Important
In a day where social media is so important, photos can make the event so much more memorable. Everyone has a phone with a camera and can take photos quickly and easily, but they won’t be to a professional standard. Professional photos can make any event shine, whether its for business or something more relaxed.
If you decide to go with event photography make sure you hire someone who has a good reputation. They need to blend into the background and make sure they capture photos at the right time. If you’re hosting a business event, you need to be sure to speak to them about what kinds of pictures you’d like, because these pictures will probably be used in picture books or marketing materials going forward.
Pick The Right Venue
The right venue makes all the difference. If the venue is too big, the party will look like not enough people have attended. On the other hand, if the venue is too small it’ll be uncomfortable for guests.
The venue itself can offer many clues for decorations, as the space and surroundings can dictate the overall aesthetic and atmosphere. For example, an indoor venue may have a certain style or theme that can influence the decor, such as a historic building or a modern event space. On the other hand, outdoor venues may have a more natural or rustic feel, allowing for more versatility in decor options. For indoor venues, options for decorations could include flower arrangements, balloons, lighting, table settings, and a photo booth. For outdoor venues, bespoke inflatables such as bounce houses or water slides, or even inflatable decorations can add a fun and playful element, while outdoor lighting, picnic areas, and lawn games can provide a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. Both indoor and outdoor venues can benefit from incorporating natural elements such as plants or flowers, as well as items that reflect the theme of the event, such as colorful fabrics or signage.
Think about where the venue is located and whether or not it easy to get to via car or public transport. Find somewhere which is nice on the eye but also a little different to the usual to ensure it stays in the mind of the attendees for a long time to come.
Don’t Forget Food
People remember three things at a party. Food, drink, and entertainment. You can get away with bad entertainment if people have enough food and drink. The food you serve will depend on the type of party you’re throwing. For casual parties, there is no other better crowd pleaser than pizza! Check out The Pizza Calc for tips on how make sure you have enough slices for all your guests.
You may cater for a sit down meal, a buffet, or something in between. You might not serve much food at all beyond some simple appetisers. Always have something there for hungry guests. The drink is separate entirely and the first question to be answered is whether or not you’re going to serve alcohol.
Parties or events with alcohol are always going to be different to those where there is none. Again, you need to think about whether you use a catering company and a “bar”, or whether you just want to bulk buy alcohol for the party.
Alcohol can be great at a business party, but in moderation. It can loosen the mood slightly when you’re trying to network with potential partners or clients.
Be Clear On The Dress Code
No one likes to be overdressed or underdressed. Make sure that you’re explicitely clear regarding the dress code. If it’s a business function, this is even more important because people might just leave if they feel uncomfortable.
You can attach the code to the invitation, and make sure you mention it on social media too. Don’t be too specific. Give people the creativity they’d like to make their own decisions regarding what they wear…but zone in on whether it’s going to be smart/casual etc.
Keep It Exclusive
Parties are by definition exclusive because only a certain amount of people get invited. With that said, you want to drum up an excitement around it. People will want to be invited. Especially if it’s a business event celebrating a launch or your new portfolio of services going live.
Exclusive parties and events are the ones that get the most attention. If you can create a buzz around your event more people will want to go and it’ll be a better occasion. This applies to parties of all shapes and sizes.
After The Party?
If you want the party to remain in the minds of those who attended, you need to give them something they won’t forget. How about a photo book full of funny pictures and photos of the night in question. You can even look into wholesale photo book printing to keep the costs down. A photo book can sit on a shelf for years and constantly remind them of the amazing even you threw. Alternatively, you could consider a gift for the attendees. Something they can keep to remember the party. There’s a huge range of gifts you can use, such as photo frames, keyrings, food, etc.
Parties are nearly always fun, especially if there is alcohol mixing around. So having something like a photo book to remember the day is really important. If it’s a business event or function, you can make the sending out of photo books after your event part of your elaborate sales pitch too.