Party Is a social gathering
of invited guests, typically involving eating, drinking, and entertainment.
Event Is a thing that happens, especially
one of importance or a planned public or social occasion.
Reception Is a formal social
occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate a particular event.
Now that we know what the differences
are lets start planning. Just remember
this tip: For a large party invite 20% more
people than you can fit, since only 60% of invites attend.
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Make,
buy or borrow any music you may need to fit the theme about one month in
advance. And for decorations you can give yourself more time.
Be
discreet on the type of theme you choose when people of other races are
invited. For an example if having a 1920 party it can be awkward for other cultures. When white people throwing a “1920s themed
party” they’re really saying “dress like a white person in the 1920s”. If a
black person showed up the way there ancestors dressed at the time, some might think
that he misread the invite.
Some
people do not like to dress for a theme because it can be expensive to hire, to
buy or even make clothing for the party, it can cost the invite a lot of unnecessary
expenses. In the light of this reason use a theme that’s not clothing related.
If
you having a theme party in honor of someone else think what will please the
guest of honor and what this person would like.
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Not everyone
wants to dance and not everyone wants to listen to the music; some people want
to talk and relax, take that into account with your guest list. However, if you
can, try to accommodate for different interests and levels of social comfort
with space planning if it is possible, and, if applicable, account for
different age groups.
Also determine
whether you want your friends to bring friends or not. That could seriously
change how many heads you have to plan for and mouths you have to feed.
When planning a party, function or reception there are always people you have to invite even though you'd rather not. Sometimes you have to make compromises:
- If two families are involved give both families the same number of guests to invite.Let each family know they each have the same restrictions to avoid having them wonder. You have to allow both families to invite their best friends. Whatever it does to your head count, make sure that's a battle you do not fight.
- Decide where you're going to cut off the invitations.If you invite one uncle, you must include all uncles and aunts. If you invite one of your first cousins, you're really supposed to invite all of your first cousins. If you have a big family, this can bulk up your guest list unless you have a big budget.
- An invitation that includes children is entirely up to the hostess.Many people do not want children at their parties especially at weddings, and there's nothing wrong with that. Put your foot down, and make your wishes clear from the beginning.
- Return the invite if you've attended a recent party.If you have been at a party or a guest at a wedding in the past 18 months, you should invite those friends to your wedding or party. (Unless it was a work friend who invited the whole office or somebody else you don't really know but were obligated to attend.)
- You must allow your friends who are in serious relationships to bring their significant others.Many couples crack down on the plus one for anybody who isn't already involved with someone when the invites go out, and that's fine. You are not obligated to invite their flavor of the week. However, if you know the significant other, if they live together, or if the relationship is well-established, neglecting to invite both halves of the couple is a slap in the face to avoid.
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There are two different types of
venues, full service and not full service. A full service venue most of the
time offers everything from table and chair rentals, to linens and catering
supplies, while a non-full service venue only offers you the space and it is up
to you to fill in the rest. This means you will be responsible for booking all
of the providers for the day.
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A good way to
deflect the costs of a party is to have a potluck. (Bring en braai tipe idee) This
way everyone chips in and is a part of the fun and you don’t have to pay
for all the food. You could also specifically instruct certain people to bring
drinks, ice, plates, napkins, and cutlery.
If you're on a tight budget, then your house
would be your best bet. If you can stretch the dough a little, try having it at
a club or rent out a restaurant. But, for the people who feel better close to
home, then good news! You just saved tons of cash!
You might also try games, movies, or something
else for entertainment! You obviously don't want to go out and buy all the new
CD's or hire a band so it would be best to blast your iPod on a specific
playlist at your party. Or ask a friend who is music-crazy to burn you a CD of
all of their favorite songs and spontaneously play them at the party. Make sure
that you have different types of music that will appeal to everybody.
If your budget is strict make all decoration
yourself.
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You could also
make invitations or buy them. Pass them out within a reasonable time frame of
notice. If you plan on instructing your invitees to bring friends, don't send out
the invitations too soon or you could end up with a bigger party population
than you can handle.
Mail, e-mail, even phone invites are all
acceptable.
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6. PLAN THE MENU. Assemble the recipes (choose only those that can be prepared in advance, perhaps even frozen, with just warming and assembling required on party day). Make a list of how far in advance each can be made, and compile a shopping list. Place an order with your local delicatessen or bakery, as needed.
General hints for planning your menu
- Think about flavor combinations and avoid clashes as people often pile a little bit of everything onto their plate.
- Choose different colors and textures to give an impressive looking spread.
- Work out what space and equipment you have and make sure you have enough hobs, oven shelves and surfaces when you need them.
- Do as much as possible in advance; there'll be plenty to do when guests arrive without undue fussing over food.
- Be clever with your budget - it can be expensive catering for large numbers so pick cheap ingredients and be inventive with them. Use cheaper cuts of meat in slow-cook one-pots to great effect.
Presentation
tips: When you're
planning a buffet, think about good color combinations and creating varying
heights to make food look interesting and inviting. Space canapés out well on
simple trays and the food will speak for itself.
Drinks: Plan your drink menu and make it easy for
yourself. Cocktails can be made up in jugs beforehand so you don't have to
prepare them as guests arrive. An interesting soft drink, like ice tea, ginger
beer and mint rather than plain juice or fizzy drinks adds impact. Make sure
you have plenty of drinks on ice, there's nothing worse than Champagne, white
wine or beer that isn't chilled enough.
Most guests will
consume two drinks during the first hour of your event and one drink during
each following hour. When planning an event serving wine, beer and spirits, the
general rule of thumb is that:
- 50% will prefer WINE
- 30% will prefer BEER
- 20% will prefer MIXED DRINKS
If you do not
anticipate serving mixed drinks at your event, then you should plan on 60% of
your guests consuming wine and 40% beer.
Follow this link
to calculate how many bottles of wine, beer or spirits you’re going to need
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Months before the party
It takes time to
create a party that you can be proud of, if you are planning for a party and
you have another job at weekday’s you don't have a lot of time on your hands
especially if you are planning doing everything yourself.
Start making candles, table décor and table linen months before the party. Or if you are going to hire party equipment, now is the time to book everything.
Create a timeline of proceedings.
Create a layout of the venue.
Set deadlines for yourself
Two weeks before your party
Clean any crystal,
china and silverware you’ll be using. And launder and iron linens.
Come up with a
playlist. The music should be upbeat and sufficient to last throughout the
party.
Do a first round of grocery shopping and cooking. Prepare any dishes that can be frozen.
Order cake from a bakery if you are not baking your own. Bake cake and freeze it, if making your own.
One week before the party
Make any other
foods that can be made ahead of time and store or freeze.
Write out the
final schedule and activities for the party.
Confirm how many people will be attending.
Head out to a party supply shop for tableware, decorations, party favors, candles, balloons, streamers and activities. Make sure you purchase enough supplies for the party.
Confirm how many people will be attending.
Head out to a party supply shop for tableware, decorations, party favors, candles, balloons, streamers and activities. Make sure you purchase enough supplies for the party.
Two to three days before party
Buy remaining
food for the party.
Check batteries
for the camera and/or camcorder.
Call to confirm
the delivery of any rentals you ordered.
Buy flowers
One day before the party
Finish decorating
the cake or pick up the cake you ordered.
Decorate any
indoor areas (save outdoor decorating for the day of the party).
Prepare food that
can be made ahead, take out any food you previously froze.
Arrange any
tables and chairs you had delivered. Put table covers on if used.
Set the tables
with theme tableware & decorations.
Party day
Prepare foods and
beverages that could not be made ahead of time.
Send a family
member to pick up any last minute party goods.
Decorate outdoor
areas.
Set buffet,-
cocktail tables.
Lit candles just before guests arrive.
Take plenty of
pictures and videos as you go along to commemorate this special day.
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