2020 - the year of all the event planning woes… but, there is a positive to come out of this: the rise in hosting intimate and unforgettable events at home.
From baby showers, to backyard weddings, bachelorettes, and sweet celebrations. Right now… HOME is where the party is.
Here are some home party planning tips to help you host an event that is everything beautiful and enjoyable. Help has arrived.
Tip #1 Do As Much Party Prep Ahead of Time… Including This Food Plating Trick
Once you decide on what food you’ll be serving (either making or may we suggest ordering) assign a serving dish for each food item you’ll display.
We use post-it notes and stage our buffet with each food item being assigned to a serving piece ahead of time. This helps you manage space and flow and recognize where you may need additional serving pieces or utensils.
Knowing exactly what you have, where it goes, and what you’ll potentially need to buy is the key.
Beyond the plates… If you don’t get around to stringing lights outside or finding the perfect party napkins, just embrace what you did get done. Your party is going to be so great without those things.
Whoever needs to hear this: We formally give you permission to either get a job done or let it go. Especially as you inch closer to your event.
Here’s to less stress day-of!
Amen? 🙏 AMEN!
AS YOUR EVENT APPROACHES, THE LESS YOU CAN WORRY ABOUT THE BETTER.
Tip #2 Make A Plan To Entertain Your Younger Event Guests
If children are attending your event, one of the best things you can do as a host is have a plan for occupying them.
This can be as simple as coloring sheets, a designated “play” area, special toys, or a TV set up with Disney+ on queue.
Give your guests the freedom to unplug and enjoy your event knowing that their kids are safe and able to be self-entertained. The key here is independence.
This is an event game-changer!
Tip #3: Confirm Your Event Guest List As Early As Possible! Lock It In
Knowing how many guests to plan for allows you to consider design, food, drinks, and ensure a comfortable event experience for everyone at a cost you can prepare for. It’s the ultimate multiplier to what you’ll be limited in and able to do at your event.
Get those RSVP’s and in this season, yes brace for change, but don’t be intimidated to follow up and solidify your guest count.
As soon as you have a secure number, it’s time to plan all of the elements that will make your event.
Tip #4 Consider The Benefits of A Little Outside Help
If you love easy, you love beautiful, and you love enjoying your event…remember to ask for help. Many people forget that this is an option!
Instead of trying to handle all the event details and evening flow all by yourself, don’t be afraid to hire a caterer, someone to help set up and decorate, or someone to simply pick up and manage drinks.
Our favorite thing to do is hire some of our friends’ teenage kids to be on trash duty and walk around picking up empty cups, napkins, and plates to keep the space clean at all times.
WHO IS A TEENAGER YOU CAN TEXT TO HELP YOUR EVENT FLOW, STAY CLEAN, AND KEEP DRINKS TOPPED OFF?
TIP #5: Don’t Underestimate Your Home’s Soft Seating To Maximize Flow & Comfort
There’s nothing worse than showing up to a party and not having anywhere to sit, gather, move, and connect.
After you confirm your guest list, plan how to seat them all.
You don’t want to have a bunch of awkward people standing around too polite to take the only seats.
We love how lounge groups open up an event space and move people beyond the home. Plus, 1) they make your event look and feel so elegant and 2) it makes the event space feel like a cozy, comfortable living room everywhere.
This is the secret to a seamlessly flowing event!
Weather willing, consider bringing sofas and other soft seating outside and keeping the door open to create an easy flow between outside and inside.
This will make the event space feel bigger and guests will be more apt to transition in or out.
Note: Lounge Groups can be moved straight from your living room to your backyard without causing any damage to your chairs, sofas, or grass. The most important thing to consider is finding a flat ground.
Tip #6 Simplifying Your Decisions Will Minimize Your Stress
Repeat after me: Less is more.
I know you want to make five different desserts, but you only need one.
Imagine the stress of making sure you’ve bought all the ingredients for multiple desserts, making all of them, and storing them before the party. No thanks!
This is an expert move: SIMPLIFY YOUR EVENT EXPERIENCE.
Whether it's dessert, decorations, or drinks, do yourself a favor and keep it simple.
MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER AND SIMPLIFY YOUR EVENT EXPERIENCE: DON’T OFFER FIVE DIFFERENT DESSERTS WHEN YOU ONLY NEED ONE.
Tip #7 Always Overbuy Food, Drinks, and Especially Ice
Overbuy, overbuy, overbuy! We wish this wasn’t a tip, because it’s expensive, but please listen to this advice.
It may sound like we’re contradicting our previous tip to simplify your event 😝but just stick with us for a second.
Less is more in terms of planning and prepping, but more is best when it comes to serving your guests.
So yes, don’t make five desserts, but make a ton of one!
The last thing you want is to run out of food, drinks, or ice. Be prepared to feed an army.
You can look to buy things that will store well, travel or will be enjoyed by guests should you look to pass them off to people as they leave.
Tip #8 Go Ahead & Select A Background Music Playlist!
This is so important!!!
Choose a playlist that already exists, or create one that pairs with your event theme, and figure out your speaker system prior to the day-of.
Background music goes a LONG way in helping people feel comfortable, creating the atmosphere of an event, and encouraging more socialization.
Here are three of our team’s favorite event playlists:
Tip #9 Tell Someone You Love That You Want to Enjoy Your Own Party.
This is the most crucial tip: DON’T FORGET TO ENJOY YOUR EVENT.
It’s easier said than done and this is why you’re going to tell someone else to check in on you, see how they can help, and pull you away from being “on the job” during your party. You deserve to take in the special event without any stress - it’s why you planned.
YOU NEED A PARTY BFF TO PULL YOU AWAY FROM THE DISHES AND HAND YOU A DRINK. ASK A FRIEND TO HELP YOU ENJOY BEING AT YOUR OWN HOME EVENT.
The more you trust these prepping tips beforehand and put little plans in place, the more you can turn the party on autopilot and truly enjoy yourself.
Cheers! Your home event is going to be absolutely amazing!
Our World Is Events and We Love Party Planning - Maybe We’re A Little Crazy…
Planning can be stressful, but it can also be full of fun.
Whether you’re hosting one party or five in the next few months, you’ve got this, girl. If you want to bring in reinforcements, do it! If you want to keep it simple - you’re the boss.
Keep up with Miss Milly’s on social media for more event planning and hosting tips and browse our inventory to add any pretty things you may need for your event.
