Merlin Events Do’s and Don’ts when organising your Party!
05 June 2014
Set a theme! There are some great venues in London which are already fully themed ready for your party but it’s always fun to set a theme for the evening and tie everything from the food and beverages to the entertainment into that theme. Pinterest is a great place to get ideas for your Party!
Use Eventbrite! Not the best on Excel? You don’t have to spend hours trying to collate names into a guest list anymore! Eventbrite is great to manage RVSP’s and produces a guest list for you on the day of your event. And it is free, bonus!
Feed your guests! Your guests will come hungry so make sure they are fully fed! I recommend bowl food or stations for an event that runs any later than 10pm. Passed bowls works well for events for up to 300 people and food stations for any numbers over 300.
Plan your seating! Have your guests had a long day at a conference and expecting to sit down for dinner before heading back to the hotel? If so, please go for a more formal event! A typical Party should have around 20% seating available.
Entertainment is a must! Do remember to keep your guests entertained! Entertainment adds that extra touch, be it a party band or roaming act during the drinks reception. A DJ is a must to keep the momentum going during the acts breaks. I would recommend Sternberg Clarke to source some great party bands in London.
Book the right DJ! It is a Party so I would recommend a good DJ to be top of the list when planning your event! An experienced party DJ will read the crowd and get the party going with some floor-fillers! A VJ is a great way to add atmosphere!
Choose the right venue! Is the venue established and a permanent structure? Think about the objectives of the event and whether the venue will deliver your objectives.
Don’t forget to join in the party yourself! Choose a venue where an event manager can take over from you so you are free to enjoy the evening with your guests!
Don’t let your guests leave hungry! If the party finishes at 2am or there is a full spirits bar available, late night snacks are great to keep your guests tummies lined! Food by Dish have a great selection, everyone loves a bacon butty after a night of drinking!
Don’t forget the guest’s journey home! Some venues have affiliations with nearby hotels, so you may be able to set up a hotel rate for your guests. If your event is finishing late, think about the transport options available for your guests.