We promised we would write articles that would have a universal appeal and would enable everyone to hold the most fabulous events with or without the expertise of an event manager.  It goes without saying that organising any event is time consuming and the more of the organisation you take on yourself, the less time you have to yourself in the run up to the event.  To plan a party on a small budget, you need to dedicate even more time to its organisation. 

What makes a chic party?  It’s the details; the extra thought you put in, without making  it look like to have tried too hard.  This is a knack, but it is a learnable knack!  Below are some tips that will help you hold a chic party on a budget.

1.  Think about your venue.  Will it be at home? In a local public building? A favourite pub or restaurant?  Consider the image that the venue portrays.  Does it fit in with your theme? Does it fit with your budget?  Simplicity is the key. 

2.  Food.  Will you be feeding your guest?  If so, is it a sit down meal, a buffet or canapes?  Either way, the food needs to be simple and tasty.  There is no need to have cordon bleu cookery if that isn’t in your comfort zone.  Many supermarkets do excellent canapes and party nibbles, alternatively you can buy them from a specific canape producer – there are hundreds all over the country.  For the brave, have a go yourself.  It is time consuming and fiddly but the results will be much tastier and you will honestly be able to tell people what the ingredients are.  For a buffet or sit down meal – stick to your tried and tested recipes. A party is not the time to trial that Jamie Oliver special you have been meaning to try out.  Again, there are professionals who can deliver the food ready cooked or cook it in your home – we use a fabulous woman who has years of catering experience and who works exclusively for us.

3. Drinks. KEEP IT SIMPLE! There is a pattern emerging here…  You know your guests and whether they would appreciate champagne or red wine.  If like me, you have a real mixture of friends with equally diverse tastes, there is no harm in asking them to bring a bottle of their favourite tipple with them.  Rose wine has become very chic in the past few years and may be the answer to your prayers.  In my experience, if you offer Cava or Prosecco plus some bottled lager, you will have most people covered. All beautifully chilled, of course.

4. Entertainment.  A minefield of taste.  Knowing your guests is key again. If they are action figures – go for something like laser clay pigeon shooting or archery in the garden.  If it is ladies only, handbag making lessons, chocolate making and cocktail making are all popular.  For gents, how about cigar rolling?  For a larger group, how about a caricaturist, silhouette cutter or magician to circulate among your guests?  Music is essential, but the random button on your I-Pod is a god send and will save the costs of a professional DJ or band. You want your party to be memorable, so the entertainment may be where you spend the bulk of your budget.

Invitations are another indicator of the style of event you are holding.  Professional printing is the easy option, but with a PC literate friend, good card and a decent printer you can recreate it at home. 

I hope that is some help.  If you would like a free consultation with us about an upcoming event, we would be delighted to chat things through with you.

NEXT MONTH: How to organise an event organisers wedding!