| Planning for a small gathering or a house party is | | | | 5. List of services |
| something everyone can do quite easily. However, not | | | | Make sure your party planner sets up a list of services |
| everyone can organise, or has the spare time and can | | | | that you will need and get them to get to grips with the |
| put in the concerted effort to organise, a big bash such | | | | terms and conditions of all of them. Are they planning |
| as a wedding or charity ball. | | | | on using a caterer that needs to be paid 90% up front |
| It is in organising these kinds of events that party | | | | for example? Find out what payment schedule the |
| planning companies can come in to their own. Not only | | | | planner has and of course find out what happens if |
| do these party planners ease the administrative | | | | you (or your guests) aren't satisfied. |
| burden of the host or hostess in the run up to the | | | | 6. Value for money? |
| event, but they can absolutely take responsibility for | | | | If your goal is to get the best value for money from |
| the smooth running of every last detail on the night too. | | | | your party planning company, then always avoid |
| Invaluable if you want to enjoy the event yourself! | | | | planners, which have to contract certain |
| So, how do you find the perfect party planner? Let's | | | | establishments or vendors for the party's needs. Often |
| take a look at our list of ten tips to consider when | | | | it can be a bit like paying the planner twice. |
| looking for the right party planning company: | | | | 7. Leadership |
| 1. Type of party planning | | | | Always check that the party planner assigned to your |
| Identify what type of party planning is needed. Make a | | | | event has enough leadership ability and is competent |
| list of the various jobs and responsibilities you want | | | | enough to coordinate the event itself. It may be a huge |
| people to look after. Talk with the party planning | | | | team of hundreds of staff on the night - can they run |
| companies and find out which services they can | | | | things how you want them to be run? |
| provide for you. Some party planning companies just | | | | 8. Food tasting |
| offer consultancy for example, or ideas. Then there | | | | Make sure your party planner lets you taste the food! |
| are others who offer a full service and do all the | | | | Whilst they can book the caterers and order the wine, |
| preparations for the party too. Make sure what you | | | | you need to make sure you like what is being |
| need is clear from the very outset. | | | | provided. Good catering companies like Alison Price, |
| 2. Budget | | | | Moving Venue Penni Black and "rhubarb", should invite |
| Be absolutely sure what you want to spend and on | | | | you for a client tasting. Remember it's your party not |
| what! If you want to blow the budget on getting your | | | | the planners! |
| event planned to perfection, but you want the food to | | | | 9. Communication |
| be a fish and chip van, then make sure your party | | | | Always encourage first class communication with your |
| planner knows where to apportion your spend! | | | | planner at all times. If you haven't worked with them |
| 3. References | | | | before they may not make quite the decisions you |
| Always request references or a list of the company's | | | | would. If on the other hand you know they will make |
| previous clients and their contact details. Contact them | | | | every detail as you would like it, then you can just sit |
| and ask for relevant feedback. If the party planning | | | | back and plan your outfit. |
| company refuses to give you references, don't waste | | | | 10. Pick the right party planner |
| any more time and move on to the next company on | | | | And finally, just remember that planning for an event is |
| your list. | | | | as important as the event itself. While hiring a |
| 4. Arrange a meeting with the party planner | | | | professional party planner might be a wise step to |
| Once you have chosen a party planner who can | | | | make the gathering flow smoothly, it is important that |
| provide the services that you are looking for, in budget, | | | | the client also maximizes his money's worth by |
| and with recommendations, meet with the prospective | | | | selecting one that best suits his needs and |
| planner. Make sure you get on - you may be speaking | | | | specifications. In short make sure you pick the right |
| to each other ten or 15 times a day in the weeks to | | | | party planner for you. |
| come so you need to get on! | | | | |