Whether it’s a blow-out or a barbie for six you’re planning, here’s how to get it right.

Plan for perfection.
Adopt the adage, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” as your mantra when it comes to prepping for your party. “As a rule, always order or buy 10 per cent more than you’d expect to be used or consumed – especially food and alcohol,” says Emmalynne Butler, party coordinator for event planning company No Surprises (nosurprises.com.au). “It’s a win-win situation because leftover bar tabs can be refunded, excess food can always be taken home and so on.” Remember to cover seemingly insignificant details, too. “Toilet paper is one people always forget to stock up on,” says Butler. “And things like power cords, transport availability and even Blu-Tack should be considered.” If your event is outdoors, have a plan B in place should the weather take a turn for the worse – organising marquees or an indoor alternative is recommended.

Dream a little dream
“A successful party is driven by creating one great concept and drawing on it through relevant decorations, invitations, entertainment and style,” says Butler. To decide on a concept, pinpoint the purpose of your party. Think back to other fabulous parties you’ve attended that encorporated elements you loved and visualise how you want your own evening to play out. “Ask yourself: is it a formal sit-down dinner? A cocktail party with dancing? Or a relaxed evening? This will help determine the whole theme,” she says. When it comes to creating the look, be thoughtful and remember that less is more. “I’ve witnessed people trying to be too over-the-top – if their concept was colours, they’d fill the room with too many and it would end up looking messy, like they’d thrown it together at the last minute,” says Butler. By keeping things simple, you’ll allow the detail of each piece to get the attention and appreciation it deserves.

>> Luxe to less party dresses

Supply and demand
“When hiring material for your party, remember cheaper is not always better,” warns Butler. “Hiring suppliers you feel you can trust will save you a lot of time worrying.” Before deciding on a service, ask questions and understand company policies and procedures. Once you decide on who to go with, keep contact details on hand in case of any problems. Another good tip is to have a back-up supplier, says Butler. “Not many people do, which is a huge no-no.”

Let me entertain you
With the ability to turn a lifeless get-together into an unforgettable celebration, having some form of entertainment is a must. “It brings guests together and breaks down social barriers,” says Butler. But remember, you must link it back to your theme – for example, a jukebox playing golden oldies will go down a treat at your gran’s 80th birthday; a playlist of top 40 singles won’t. “I find live bands are always received well,” continues Butler. “The key is variety and they tend to play songs both old and young guests recognise.” If in doubt, ask the providers lots of questions. They’re the ones who’ve done it all before, so they can tailor-make an entertainment package to please any party poopers out there.

On your marks, get set ... party
When the doors swing open and your party comes to life, it’s time to play hostess. “If you’re relaxed, the atmosphere will just flow,” says Butler. “With all the organisation paying off, you’ll be able to feel like everything is under control and start having fun with the guests.” And while not everything will go to plan – let’s face it, hiccups do happen – if you’ve covered all your bases, there will be solutions in place to take care of the majority of these incidents before anyone notices a thing. 

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