Inside the Party Planner’s Box of Tricks

Planning a party can be a stressful experience, especially if you do not know where to start. If you wish you could see inside a party planner’s box of tricks, wish no more. These handy tips and tricks will help you plan your perfect event, whether it is the wedding of your dreams or a sweet sixteen to make the neighbors green with envy.

The Right Stuff

While not every function needs to be right on trend, it is important to ensure that your party does not end up feeling dated, especially give the hefty price tags that often accompany our most special events. On average, a wedding cost more than $26,000 in 2012, while a bar or bat mitzvah can see the host splash out as much as $30,000 and a sweet sixteen between $300 and $25,000. Ensuring that you know what will give the wow factor without seeming tacky is vital.

Read the latest event planning magazines or find an industry website online and follow what is happening in terms of trends. These publications can help you recognize what might be a good fit for your special event. Sailcloth tents, for example, are very popular at the moment and are perfect for complementing a nautical themed party or a seaside wedding because of their sail-like qualities. The translucent fabric combined with the tasteful, subtle nautical trim make it a must-have for those looking for something different for their party venue.

Size Matters

When it comes to dance floor rental for an event, size really does matter, but calculating just how large a floor you need can be tricky. As a rule of thumb, roughly a third of all guests tend to be on a dance floor at a time, so if you are planning to have 100 people at your wedding, bat mitzvah or sweet sixteen, you will need to have a dance floor that can accommodate 30 people. A 12 foot by 12 foot dance floor rental will be big enough for a 100 guest event. Larger events will need a bigger space. A 200-guest party needs an 18 foot by 18 foot dance floor that can fit roughly 70 guests at any one time.

Dance floor rental isn’t the only party accessory that requires some thought when it comes to size. If you plan to host a tent event, you need to consider what size you need to accommodate the number of guests as well as the type of event you are hosting. A cocktail function, for example, requires a different set up to a formal seated wedding dinner. A 30×40 tent will fit between 120 and 150 guests at 8-foot long oblong tables, but is also a good choice for hosting 240 standing guests at cocktail tables. Your party planer or party equipment rentals supplier can advise on what would best suit the type of event you are hosting.

Color Clash
Decor should enhance the ambiance of an event not detract from it, so it is vital that you choose your color palette wisely. Too many contrasting colors, especially from the primary color palette, can make it seem like a kid’s birthday party, while an absence of color can make the event feel cold and drab.

Color is not just about tablecloth rentals, chair sashes or linens. You can use lighting to bring color into your party space and divide your venue into different areas. Light-up LED furniture offers the best of both worlds and presents an interesting, fun and different way to divide the different parts of your party experience. An essential part of the event planning industry, chair and table rentals come in all shapes, colors and styles to accentuate any theme from country chic to ultra-modern.

Most importantly remember that a party is meant to be fun for both the host and the guests, so don’t let the party planning get you down. Take care of the finer details from dance floor rentals to the perfect canapes and then ensure that you take care of yourself by enjoying your special day.