How many of us have that friend or relative that simply nails every event they host? Or, do you know that person that just seems to have anxiety anytime they have guests over? Well, let’s take a little dive into what makes for a smooth gathering…
For beginners, we often hear clients saying that they don’t know where to start, or they question, how do you make it look so easy? Although this is understandable, we want to help reduce this concern. Let’s look at the facts. Hosting requires plenty of planning, so let’s start there.
Anytime prospective clients call, we invite them to share their vision. Questions like, ‘why’ are you planning a party? Is it an individual celebration, like a birthday, retirement, or graduation or are we preparing for a holiday social? In every case, it is best to have a reason, even if that reason is simply to get friends and family together to break bread and toast to the relationships that have developed over the years. Equally as important to the reason for the event, is the type of experience, or ‘what’ is going to be offered to the guests. Are we planning for a casual dining experience with catered dishes? Will we be building a cook on site barbeque feast, or should the party feature some fine dining experiences? No matter what your vision is, making decisions about the ‘why’ and ‘what’ will lead to better planning and better planning leads to a better party atmosphere.
Once the ‘why’ and ‘what’ have been answered, we will need to solve the question of ‘how’, and this begins with talking about money. Money tends to make people uncomfortable, and for many, entertaining can be pricey. Failing to establish a budget for any party, large or small, can lead to overspending or underpreparedness. In either case, ultimately someone will end up disappointed. Budgeting is likely going to address the number of guests to be included, menu options, staffing needs and drink options. Additionally, you may wish to include decorations, tables, tents, chairs, entertainment and more, all of which require establishing a budget that you can afford and live with. And there lies the real truth, affordability. Many times we have clients reach out and they are not aware of the costs of throwing a part, and that's okay… but our advice to anyone considering hosting an event, have a plan and budget in mind, and from there we can work together to design a party plan that keeps your finances, wants and needs in mind.
Remember, hosting can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming, but if you begin the thought process with your ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’ in mind, you will save yourself a lot of time stressing over the unknown. Don’t forget…
Keep It Coastal!
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