So you’ve been selected to plan an event.... what now?
It could be a wedding shower, family reunion, company event or fundraiser--but you have work to do, and where do you get started?
Every event is different, but the planning process is similar, and these questions will help you plan and organize that special event.
1. What is the purpose of the event?
For birthdays and anniversaries the purpose is clear, but social gatherings and company events may need to be defined. What is your goal at the event? How do you want people to feel/celebrate/accomplish.
2. What are your goals for the event?
How many people do you expect at the event? Is this an annual event, or a one-time party? What do you want your attendees to gain from the event? Do you want to raise money, awareness, do team building, or just have fun and socialize?
3. What is your budget?
Determining budget is your top priority. How much can you or are you willing to spend? Will the event produce revenue or are you paying for the event by yourself?
4. When and where?
Location can be as simple as cleaning up the kitchen or may involve a traveling to another city to see a reception space. Plan ahead, since booking times for the larger venues my be 6-12 months. If you are planning the event with another person or committee, you will need to coordinate your schedules. Remember to consider room capacity, lighting, parking, availability, electrical supply, technology needs and decor.
7. Do you need special licenses or permits?
Will you need a police presence and roads blocked off, or do you need a permit to host a large event? Check with local authorities and the venue for all requirements.
8. Should you promote?
How do you plan to publicize your event? Do you need brochuers or invitations printed? Will an email blast go out? Should media be invited?
The most important tip is to plan ahead AND be flexible. Not all events goes planned and there are always factors you can't control. However, if you work to get the details planned, your event will be smoother and more fun for you!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Maid of Honor Toast
As the Maid of Honor, you are responsible for making sure the bride has the best day of her life. There are traditional duties, such as helping the bride get dressed, and the non-traditional, such as giving a brides-made toast. While many Maids of Honor choose to let the best man and father do the toasting, you may have something inspiring or congratulatory to say as well. And well you should! So grab the microphone from the best man at toasting time!
Here's some tips for the Maid of Honor's toast:
Be Sincere
There is plenty of time to have fun at a wedding, but a toast is your opportunity to share with the couple--and the rest of the guests--your sincere well-wishes. Giving a toast is an honor, take it graciously.
Don't Procrastinate
Write and rehearse your toast at lease three weeks before the big day. Preparation and practice will prevent the jitters and give you time to tune up the toast to be more eloquent.
Include the Usual:
Be personal and innovative with your toast, but be sure to include the standards:
1) A Thank You to the bride and groom (and their parents, if appropriate) for inviting everyone to be a part of their special day.
2) An emotionally significant memory or personal touch.
3) Words of encouragement and/or advice
4) The traditional end: "To Jess and Shane" with a raising of your glass and a sip.
Short and Sweet is Good
Keep your toast simple and short. A couple lines, perhaps as long as two minutes is more than sufficient. No one wants to hear you ramble about everything the couple went through to get to this moment--use the time as a classy celebration of love and a future together.
Toast on Schedule
There is a time for just about everything during a wedding and toasting time usually happens once everyone has been seated and served champagne, (however sometimes the couple prefers it to be between course.) If the couple doesn't have a preference, the timing is up to you and the best man. When you're ready, simply approach the microphone, or ask the DJ to bring it to you at the right moment. Call the crowd to attention by clinking a glass with a utensil or the bandleader or DJ may announce to guests that toasting is about to begin.
Be Cool
(or pretend you are calm and collected!) Relax, have a glass of wine, (but not too much!) and enjoy the moment.
Here's some tips for the Maid of Honor's toast:
Be Sincere
There is plenty of time to have fun at a wedding, but a toast is your opportunity to share with the couple--and the rest of the guests--your sincere well-wishes. Giving a toast is an honor, take it graciously.
Don't Procrastinate
Write and rehearse your toast at lease three weeks before the big day. Preparation and practice will prevent the jitters and give you time to tune up the toast to be more eloquent.
Include the Usual:
Be personal and innovative with your toast, but be sure to include the standards:
1) A Thank You to the bride and groom (and their parents, if appropriate) for inviting everyone to be a part of their special day.
2) An emotionally significant memory or personal touch.
3) Words of encouragement and/or advice
4) The traditional end: "To Jess and Shane" with a raising of your glass and a sip.
Short and Sweet is Good
Keep your toast simple and short. A couple lines, perhaps as long as two minutes is more than sufficient. No one wants to hear you ramble about everything the couple went through to get to this moment--use the time as a classy celebration of love and a future together.
Toast on Schedule
There is a time for just about everything during a wedding and toasting time usually happens once everyone has been seated and served champagne, (however sometimes the couple prefers it to be between course.) If the couple doesn't have a preference, the timing is up to you and the best man. When you're ready, simply approach the microphone, or ask the DJ to bring it to you at the right moment. Call the crowd to attention by clinking a glass with a utensil or the bandleader or DJ may announce to guests that toasting is about to begin.
Be Cool
(or pretend you are calm and collected!) Relax, have a glass of wine, (but not too much!) and enjoy the moment.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wedding Shower Invite Question
Dear Party Planner:
My bridesmaid asked me to give her a guest list for my bridal shower. Should I invite all the women who will be invited to the wedding or just close family and friends? And should I invite people that I know they won't be able to attend, I don't want to look like I am asking for more gifts...But I don't want anyone to feel left out.
Jess O. Long Island
Dear Jess:
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You don't have to invite every woman who's invited to your wedding (it can be very expensive and a bit impractical!)
The guest list should include your closest female friends (unless it is co-ed) and your relatives and your fiance's mom, sister(s), and other close female friends and family. If the wedding guests are unable to attend, sending a shower invite is just a nice gesture. It lets them know that they're important to you and that you would have wanted them there. You can leave it up to them to decide if they can/should send a shower gift. But if they do, be sure to send out a thank you immediately!
Thank you for your question,
Party Planner
Team Events
My bridesmaid asked me to give her a guest list for my bridal shower. Should I invite all the women who will be invited to the wedding or just close family and friends? And should I invite people that I know they won't be able to attend, I don't want to look like I am asking for more gifts...But I don't want anyone to feel left out.
Jess O. Long Island
Dear Jess:
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You don't have to invite every woman who's invited to your wedding (it can be very expensive and a bit impractical!)
The guest list should include your closest female friends (unless it is co-ed) and your relatives and your fiance's mom, sister(s), and other close female friends and family. If the wedding guests are unable to attend, sending a shower invite is just a nice gesture. It lets them know that they're important to you and that you would have wanted them there. You can leave it up to them to decide if they can/should send a shower gift. But if they do, be sure to send out a thank you immediately!
Thank you for your question,
Party Planner
Team Events
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Water Tag - Kid's party idea, NY
My obsession with squirt guns dates back to probably before I could walk. I’m not a gunhawk, but I do get a kick out of soaking someone on a hot day. In my childhood, when they debuted the fantastic Laser Tag invention, I was hooked on that game. I probably spent more money on Laser Tag then I did on my first car. Now, these two great games have joined to form: Water Tag!!!
Played just like Laser Tag, players compete in our giant inflatable maze with water guns and vests. You can bounce, leap, run, dodge, and generally get into any kind chicanery you want on the soft inflatable interior, nobody will get their bones broken! Each vest has gauges that measure how much a player has been doused. You creep around the maze like a stealth fighter, waiting for you unsuspecting prey. Since water is only toxic to the Wicked Witch or those little aliens from Signs, this game is perfectly safe. Safe, unless you play me – cause you are going down! Down!
Perfect for team building family reunions and kid's parties!
Team Events Staff Writer
Party Planning NYC
Played just like Laser Tag, players compete in our giant inflatable maze with water guns and vests. You can bounce, leap, run, dodge, and generally get into any kind chicanery you want on the soft inflatable interior, nobody will get their bones broken! Each vest has gauges that measure how much a player has been doused. You creep around the maze like a stealth fighter, waiting for you unsuspecting prey. Since water is only toxic to the Wicked Witch or those little aliens from Signs, this game is perfectly safe. Safe, unless you play me – cause you are going down! Down!
Perfect for team building family reunions and kid's parties!
Team Events Staff Writer
Party Planning NYC
Saturday, June 27, 2009
New!!! Sky Belts: Kids, Teens, Tweens Party Favors
Dear Party Planner:
Oh... I hope you can help me... I have a 12-year-old daughter who is having a birthday party at the end of next month and she want to do something "different" and "cool." She is very in to whatever is the most popular thing that moment.
My challenge is to find a "hot" party favor for a group of 6 pre-teens.
Do you have anything (absolutely anything!) that could be the next "it" thing - something affordable, but that will make this party a hit for my (picky, but delightful) kid?
Tracy L.
NY
Dear Tracy:
Kid’s these days, they just aren’t happy unless they have got “it”. Children are the ultimate consumers, savvy, trendsetting, and often fickle shoppers ho now what is “in and “out” before the blogs do. When planning an event with kids, you’ve got to dazzle them with every aspect. To make sure the kids attending your next to-do are pleasantly spectacularized, Team Events brings you the latest fashion statement.
Sky Belts: Party Favors
Sky Belts are one-of-a-kind accessories made from actual airplane seat belt materials. Each Sky belt can be accessorized with dozens of different clip-ons, and there are many styles and colors to choose from! The kids have a hand in the design, and have a new fashion element that won’t be something the other girls at junior high will look down upon. And the sky belts are not just for the teens or tweens, they make a neat lighter fashion element for anyone who still cares about their appearance and has an interest in cutting edge dress. Although we warn you, if you like it – your kids will probably quickly stop liking it. Remember, they are fickle little devils.
Team Events
PARTY PLANNER and "it" party favor guy
Oh... I hope you can help me... I have a 12-year-old daughter who is having a birthday party at the end of next month and she want to do something "different" and "cool." She is very in to whatever is the most popular thing that moment.
My challenge is to find a "hot" party favor for a group of 6 pre-teens.
Do you have anything (absolutely anything!) that could be the next "it" thing - something affordable, but that will make this party a hit for my (picky, but delightful) kid?
Tracy L.
NY
Dear Tracy:
Kid’s these days, they just aren’t happy unless they have got “it”. Children are the ultimate consumers, savvy, trendsetting, and often fickle shoppers ho now what is “in and “out” before the blogs do. When planning an event with kids, you’ve got to dazzle them with every aspect. To make sure the kids attending your next to-do are pleasantly spectacularized, Team Events brings you the latest fashion statement.
Sky Belts: Party Favors
Sky Belts are one-of-a-kind accessories made from actual airplane seat belt materials. Each Sky belt can be accessorized with dozens of different clip-ons, and there are many styles and colors to choose from! The kids have a hand in the design, and have a new fashion element that won’t be something the other girls at junior high will look down upon. And the sky belts are not just for the teens or tweens, they make a neat lighter fashion element for anyone who still cares about their appearance and has an interest in cutting edge dress. Although we warn you, if you like it – your kids will probably quickly stop liking it. Remember, they are fickle little devils.
Team Events
PARTY PLANNER and "it" party favor guy
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mini Doughnut Maker
Did you know that Friday, June 5th was National Doughnut Day? You didn’t? You let this incredibly important holiday pass you by with no special celebration? What a terrible shame. You see, much like my hero Homer Simpson, I am a dedicated lover of the doughnut. I actually worked in a Dunkin Donuts during college, and it wasn’t for the miserable pay – trust me. I just love donuts. So when this holiday rolled around, I jumped at the opportunity to ring it in! To celebrate this special day of donut, my office here at Team Events held a little party. Some of the gang brought in their favorite doughnuts. We had chocolate with sprinkles, crème-filled, plain, frosted, every kind imaginable. To show my dedication the love of donuts, I took the event up a notch. I called the guys from our Food Glorious Food division, and ordered up the mini doughnut maker for our special day! This unique doughnut-making machine is completely automated spinning and dropping the doughnut dough into a fryer. It then fried and flipped the doughnut onto a conveyor belt! Where a coating of your choice, (typically powdered sugar) can coat this tasty treat! The mini doughnut maker was so beloved by our entire office, that we’ve decided to make Doughnut Day a MONTHLY holiday. Looks like we will all be hitting up the gym a bit more! !!Party Planner, Donut-Lover
Team Events, New York City!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Slapshot Hockey: Kids Hockey Party in NY
Dear Party Planner:
My sons are 7 and 9 and they love hockey. We would like to have a hockey-themed party for their birthdays (both in October, so we are having a party for both of them at once).
Besides a cake that looks like a puck, or jerseys as gifts, or taking the kids to a rink to skate for the party, what should I do? Do you have any great "hockey party" ideas? We are in New York.
Candice M.
Dear Candice,
I am a hockey nut too. I've been one since my father first took me to see a minor league game as a kid. While puttering around the rink with some of the guys has often satisfied some of my unfulfilled sports needs, it never quite gets me to where I need. Then, after some savvy Internet research, I had the perfect little event for my bothers’ big 30th birthday bash. We hired an actual, real, honest-to-goodness live goalie! I brought the idea to my compatriots here at Team Events and ... GOAL!
Your kids will love this one!
Trying to score off of a Team Event’s live goalie gives the normal hockey puck play a neat competitive edge that you won't expect. The live goalie will come suited up and ready to defend the goal against overwhelming odds. This is the type of party twist that separates the boys from the Gretskies. The live, honest-to-goodness, real person goalie is a perfect (and we would argue absolutely necessary) addition to your hockey event, skate or hockey party. Perfect for kid's team parties, it’s the kind of fun and competitive element that will make a parent a super-star!
Party Planner
Team Events
My sons are 7 and 9 and they love hockey. We would like to have a hockey-themed party for their birthdays (both in October, so we are having a party for both of them at once).
Besides a cake that looks like a puck, or jerseys as gifts, or taking the kids to a rink to skate for the party, what should I do? Do you have any great "hockey party" ideas? We are in New York.
Candice M.
Dear Candice,
I am a hockey nut too. I've been one since my father first took me to see a minor league game as a kid. While puttering around the rink with some of the guys has often satisfied some of my unfulfilled sports needs, it never quite gets me to where I need. Then, after some savvy Internet research, I had the perfect little event for my bothers’ big 30th birthday bash. We hired an actual, real, honest-to-goodness live goalie! I brought the idea to my compatriots here at Team Events and ... GOAL!
Your kids will love this one!
Trying to score off of a Team Event’s live goalie gives the normal hockey puck play a neat competitive edge that you won't expect. The live goalie will come suited up and ready to defend the goal against overwhelming odds. This is the type of party twist that separates the boys from the Gretskies. The live, honest-to-goodness, real person goalie is a perfect (and we would argue absolutely necessary) addition to your hockey event, skate or hockey party. Perfect for kid's team parties, it’s the kind of fun and competitive element that will make a parent a super-star!
Party Planner
Team Events
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