EVENT PLANNING- GETTING STARTED

No matter what kind of event you are planning, whether big or small the first and most important thing you can do is MAKE A PLAN.

Over the next couple of posts I will be going over some of the key things you need to be sure to include in your plan. Today we will be talking about one big item that can make or break an event...

MONEY

(Photo curtesy of nynatives.com)

If your like me, and you don't have alot of this to be spending on things other than your mortgage, monthly bills, and obsession for shoes.. oops I'm getting off subject... this is something that will be a major deciding factor on what kind of event your throwing. IF by chance you are not like me and have plenty of Benjamins then use this as a tool to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. Here are the items I would ask myself before getting started-

       1.Who will be hosting the event?

           Will you be the only host or hostess for this event, or will there be other people helping? When you have multiple people hosting any sort of event it is always a good idea to sit down together and decide what specific responsibilities will be assigned to which person.

 

      2.What is your budget?

            The first thing to look at when trying to figure up your budget is, who is going to be pitching in. Obviously if you are the only one hosting the event you know what your budget looks like. In the event that you are one of say 3 girls hosting a shower, chances are not all 3 of you are going to be able to spend the same amount of money. Discuss this with the rest of the group and decide on a budget that works for all parties. Perhaps if one person cannot afford to pay as much as the others, but a larger budget is needed they could volunteer to do more of the hands on work than the others if she could pay a little smaller portion. There are NUMEROUS ways to make a budget work. 

Another thing to consider in your budget is how much to spend on each detail of the event. You wouldn't believe the number of times I have budgeted for an event, and stayed completely on track, and at the last minute remember that I didnt account for how much it was gonna cost me to pay for fresh fruit! Your list of possible details might include:

• Location (will you need to rent a location or can you find a space large enough to use for free)
• Food/Drinks (will you be serving a meal or appetizers, or perhaps no food at all. Remember the number of guests will have a HUGE impact on cost for this)
• Invitations/Thank You's (It's easy to go online and find websites that will do a small number of invites for free these days through the mail, create an event on social media sites like facebook, or send an evite via email)
• Decor(one way to make this cheaper is by using a location that is attractive to begin with)
• Entertainment(in showers and bachelorette parties this could be something as simple as games, but at weddings or large gathering perhaps a band or dj may be an option)
• Other miscellaneous items (photography, party favors, prizes for games, tips for caterers, etc)

After figuring up each section of your budget (I suggest having it written down) be sure that once you start making purchases you stick with your budget 100%. Keep in mind that just because you budgeted $50 on decor doesn't mean  you have to spend that much. If those bowls at hobby lobby you're wanting for centerpieces are half off then use the money you saved on a detail that may be a little over budget already.

Once you've figured up your budget and who is responsible for doing or paying what, your ready to start your planning.
 

 Check back soon for my next post within the next week talking about other key items to include in your plan to make your next event

EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY!