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The new (bad) economy: a guide to smarter event planning

Katie Leave a Comment

RULE #1: SET YOUR BUDGET BEFORE YOU START PLANNING

To all of those that have champagne taste on a Martinelli’s budget, the best thing that you can do is to set your budget FIRST. Who among us hasn’t wanted more than what we can afford? If you put realistic budgetary limits in place before you start planning you will save yourself heartache and frustration.

RULE #2: IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO PLAN AN EVENT and BUDGET, HIRE SOMEONE TO DO IT FOR YOU

There are already many reasons to hire a professional event planning, and being able to throw your event while staying within your means is another excellent one. A good event planner will be able to purchase wholesale, use proven vendors and contacts, use space wisely, AND keep your budget. It is worth it…trust me.

RULE #3: CONSIDER USING WHAT DECOR YOU ALREADY HAVE

Whether out or in a storage closet, often times you can create and build a lovely concept around the decor that you already possess. Re-using your decor can potentially save you hundreds of dollars by utilizing the “small things” that you (and your budget) may have taken for granted or forgotten about all together. These types of often-forgotten decor include:

  • candles, candle holders, candle plates, etc.
  • lighting
  • linens (or sheets), place mats, napkins, coasters
  • silverware or flatware
  • art, photos, sculptures…items that you can create interesting centerpieces or stations with
  • tables, chairs, and other seating options

RULE #4: IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE AN ALL-NIGHTER

The reality is that the longer your guests stay, the more money it will cost you. To put it bluntly:

  • If you are serving alcohol, after 2 drinks per person your costs can sky-rocket to about $11 per person per hour.
  • Same goes with food. The longer they are around, the more food they will need to consume.
  • Same goes with toilet paper and other household products.

Consider capping the night off near 10 PM, instead of 1 AM. Or, consider holding a lunch instead of a cocktail hour.

RULE #5: THE POT LUCK IS BACK “IN”

By coming-up with another way to spin the name “Potluck” you will be able to excite the interest of your guests’ friendly, competitive cooking sides. How many of us know others that would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to show-off their cooking skills? (I do!!!) And, to be honest, who among us doesn’t like the idea of trying several dishes from several different Chefs? (I would!!!)

Call it a food tasting. Call it a communal meal. The potluck is SO “in”, again.

RULE #6: HOLD A CHARITY EVENT, WITH 50% OF THE PROCEEDS GOING TO A LOCAL CHARITY

Tough times mean tighter wallets, but many good-natured folks would enjoy combining charity with a great event. Why not charge “x amount” per guest, but with the commitment that half of (or whatever percentage is left after the cost of the event is paid-off) the proceeds will go to “such-and-such” charity?

Pick a worth cause. Pick a worthy occasion. Pick this winner!

Alisha Forrester Scott of La Ruche can be reached by e-mail at: [email protected].

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