Creating a Planning Timeline for Your Event
Planning an event is a lot of fun, whether you’re preparing for a milestone birthday, or organizing a gala. While it can be fun, let’s face it, it is also stressful. The backbone of every successful event is in the details, and one of those is your planning timeline. After all, if you don’t know what to do and when to do it by, how can you make sure every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ is crossed? Knowing these details can lower your stress and increase your success.
Your Planning Timeline
What should your planning timeline be? In general, we recommend starting as early as possible. Many people are overwhelmed at the process of party planning, concerned about the cost and busy doing other things. However, the process will not become easier, less expensive or less time consuming by putting it off.
To start planning, make a list of everything that needs to be done before and on the day of your event. Be prepared for unexpected additions, twists and turns along the planning process.
Next, move to the guest list. List their names, e-mail, phone and address of each guest on a spreadsheet. Have a column for the number of guests you are inviting in one column and the number of guests you think might actually come in another. The total is the important number as the number of guests will have a major effect on your budget, size of venue, and more.
Next, consider your overall vision for the event. Have you been to a wedding, mitzvah or party that you loved? What did you like about it? Get advice from vendors, friends and family members who have thrown the same type of event. Think about what kind of party you and the guest of honor are comfortable having and what kind of budget you are comfortable spending.
When planning, think critically about the date. Do you have flexibility as to the date if your preferred venue is booked one day? When is the event going to fall on the calendar? Some times of the year are more competitive than others, which means that price and availability could vary dramatically. That means that, by choosing to have your event at the busiest part of the year, you could have more limited vendor options or may pay a premium for the ones that you want.
What else do you need to consider during the planning process? Remember the guest of honor, the guests listand the reason for the event, as you make planning decisions. You will need to select a venue, as well as choose a caterer, entertainment, photographer and stationery company. When you work with Innovative Party Planners, we can guide you through the planning process to choose reputable vendors and make your décor decisions including lighting, linens, centerpieces and signs. We have an inhouse graphics department to take care of all your stationery needs. We will also help you with logistics the day of the event and creating timelines, floor diagrams, and are a sounding board for every other decision along the way. Here is a timeline that can serve as a guide as you start thinking about your next big party!
Make Party Planning Easy with Innovative Party Planners
Innovative Party Planners plans and executes amazing events. We will walk with you through every step of the planning process and leave no question unanswered. To learn more about our event planning services and how we can help make your event one of a kind, contact us by clicking here or call (410) 998-9999.