Party Planning Made Simple Even on a Budget

One of my all time favorite quotes is:

“There are exactly as many special occasions in life as we choose to celebrate.”― Robert Brault.

As a Lover of Life and all things to celebrate life, of course this quote when I first saw it and every time I see it strikes a deep chord within. For some innate reason I have always lived life, fully, knowing there is an expiration date. This sentiment has always permeated my life especially when I am planning a celebration. “Go Big or Go Home” has always been another motto of mine. So with those mottos/quotes in mind and with the busy party planning season coming up—graduations, weddings and as always birthdays, let’s get planning. Life’s next Celebration awaits!  😀

1. Set a budget. I know the sentiment “Go Big or Go Home” isn’t exactly synonymous with budget. And I will be the first to admit, I set a budget then sometimes forget it. I am not advocating this for you, I am just keeping it real that it does happen. With that in mind I still consider it the #1 rule of party planning. After you set your budget amount, break it down further into percentages. Here is how I normally breakdown my party budget:

• 50%—Food, right off the bat, take it right off the top! Especially if you are serving alcohol, believe me the costs add up fast.
• 25%—Decorations—including but not limited to: custom invitations; backdrops for photo ops; customized plates; cups; balloons and streamers. The following pictures are just a few ideas of how to really personalize your event decor.

  

  

  

  

• 25%—Party Essentials—including but not limited to: tents/shelter if you are holding your event outside; extra chairs; any special feature items such as a tiki bar, chocolate fountain or popcorn machine.

  

  

  

  

  Note: The 50% allocated to decorations and party essentials can be allocated 10/40, 20/30 or any percentage combination as your party needs dictate. You will find that as you acquire more party essentials over time, less has to be allocated to this category which will leave more room in the budget for food or decorations or for savings. 

2. Theme, theme, it’s all about the theme. Some themes automatically come built in when you are planning a party. For example: graduations, bridal/baby showers and weddings. With birthday themes, the sky’s the limit! I always find picking a theme lends itself to the whole party planning process going that much more smoothly. You have a starting point and can plan everything around it from there. Here are a few tips to picking a theme:

• Choose a theme based on the likes of the guest of honor. I can’t think of any easier way to pick a theme. If your 9 yr old likes trains-there you go, if your husband likes golf-there you go. The possibilities are endless!
• Create a primary theme based on a previously used theme. Let that absorb in for a minute, then I will explain.  😉 One of my themes over the years was a Martini themed party. I love standees and recycle them in different themes over and over again. When planning my daughter’s 21st birthday party I inventoried my collection of party essentials and when I came upon my Martini standees (pic to follow), I jumped off from there to create different party zones in my home and the previously used theme of Martini Lounge, led me to the primary theme of Red Carpet Magic, I combined them and the rest was history.

  

• Let the holiday dictate the theme. If you are having a Halloween party, there is your theme. Valentine’s Day Mixer, there is your theme. There are so many ways to customize within holiday themes the only limitation is your imagination!  🙂

  

3. What’s on the Menu? You already have a healthy budget set so here comes all of the fun! Separate your food & beverages into these three main components:

• Appetizers—Appetizers are a must! They can range from the simple-chip and dip, cheese and crackers, cut up veggies and dip to a little more such as stuffed mushrooms, hot spinach artichoke dip all the way up to hot hors d’oeuvres served by waiters if your budget allows. The point I am trying to make is  allocate at least 10% of your food budget to appetizers so that guests can come in, relax and get in the party mood right from the start. Have you ever gone to a party, starving only to come find out there are no appetizers, I know it has happened but you will never allow that to happen at your party, right?  😀
• Main Course—Depending on your theme, the main course again can run the gamut. If you are having a barbeque-hot dogs, hamburgs and steaks will fit the bill nicely. If you are having a tapas style event, small plates are the way to go. I like to do a lot of family style entertaining, serve a big bowl and let the guests help themselves. Keeping in mind, some guests may want a little more, some a little less, family style lets them choose, keeps it simple and running smoothly.

  

  

  

• Signature Cocktail—This is my all time favorite part of planning any party. The Signature Cocktail! I think I personally spend more time on Pinterest, Facebook, and the Internet collectively planning the signature cocktail than the rest of the whole entire planning of a party (that may be a teensy bit of an exaggeration but believe me to those that know me, it is not) combined. I usually limit my signature cocktail to 3 ingredients. An alcohol, a juice or simple syrup and a bubbly soda. Here is my number 1 secret to create the most magnificent signature cocktail—are you ready, really ready—CREATE YOUR OWN FLAVORED VODKA—Yes! I have done this for 3 parties so far and if I had known about this sooner believe me that number would be a lot higher. I know vodkas come in many flavors these days and I take advantage of that often. But for the A List events there is no substitute than making your own. In a follow up article I will explain how to steep your own vodka. The following pictures are just a few examples of the Signature Cocktails I have made over the years with my homemade flavored vodkas.

  

  

  

  

  

  There really are endless possibilities for food, decorations and party essentials when you are planning a party. My final piece of advice is just let your imagination run wild and most of all have fun with it! Your next occasion is waiting to be planned, what are you waiting for!  😀

Photo Op  & More Fun Ideas Gallery

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Kimberly

Author; Blogger; Self-Proclaimed “Woman” of all trades and Self-Proclaimed “Master” of some! AFAA Certified Group Aerobics Instructor since 1998; MA Licensed Real Estate Agent since 1995; former Certified Financial Counselor and Passionate Advocator of Financial Education for Women. Tech Geek; Home Cook & Most Importantly, Mother of 3, my #1 Reason for Living!!!

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