Planning an event can take months of careful devising of all the details, finding a venue, mapping out where the decor, tables, chairs and entertainment will go and outlining the perfect menu. But what if you don’t have months? What if you have to plan an event last minute? Not to worry, you can still make it fabulous. Many people agree, some of the best work is done under pressure and the same is true with event planning. You just need to know where to start and how to best utilize your time and resources. Slow down and concentrate, there is no sense in running in circles, you need to focus on what is important if you want to pull together something great in the short time you have. Here are a few tips to help your event go off with a smashing success.
Schedule the venue and entertainment ASAP
Your event needs a location. Finding something free in a pinch might be tricky but keep an open mind. There are so many ideas and places willing to let you reserve their space. Here are a few ideas to help you think out of the box:
- Reception centers
- Parking lots
- Parks
- A friend’s big backyard
- A nightclub for daytime use
- School or church gymnasiums
- Hotel meeting rooms
- Art galleries
- Rooftops or lofts
- Beach
There are so many ideas where you can hold an event and it does not have to be expensive. Booking the entertainment, if applicable, is also a must in the first stages of planning. DJ’s, musicians, clowns, magicians, traveling petting zoos—find entertainment to match the theme of your event. Obviously a group of Marvel characters would not fit with a wedding, but it would go fantastic for a children’s fundraiser. Schedule your venue and entertainment first and foremost and do not overthink it.
Hire a caterer
One of the most difficult parts of event planning is the food. When you have a time crunch, you can’t be running to dozens of stores picking up ingredients or sitting down sifting through handfuls of recipes or slaving at a kitchen stove cooking it all up yourself. This is simply not possible and with limited time, do not attempt it. You need to spend your time on other parts and caterers such as Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering are professionals when it comes to laying out a beautiful spread of the most delicious dishes imaginable. Our goal is to see your guests rave about the food, the taste and the presentation. While the purpose of your event should not be overshadowed, oftentimes, food is half of the event. The food is one of the ways you can wow your guests and you want it to taste sensational. Hiring a really good caterer takes the pressure off you and also makes you look good. Everyone will be amazed how well you threw together a party so perfectly so quickly. We have your back. Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering takes care of the set up, the food presentation, the clean up and even the dinnerware! Our events menu is a great idea for hors D’oeuvres and beverage services. This is a huge load off your back, you can’t afford NOT to hire a caterer.
Give your event a theme
Theming an event makes the entire planning process flow smoothly. If you have been put in charge of a large family reunion, giving it a Luau or Fiesta theme is an exciting and lively choice. A theme makes the decor and food selection easier. Thomas Oliver’s sumptuous Hawaiian shrimp creole, grilled chipotle corn and fruit skewers for a Luau theme is delicious and fun. Toss around some tiki torches and leis for your guests and you have a memorable event. What about a backyard reunion with friends? Our Picnic Lunch theme a cheese a fruit plate, tomato and mozzarella pasta salad and fresh mint lemonade and ice tea is the perfect summer theme for your party. When it comes to last minute helps, you can’t go wrong with a theme to help you gather decor and food selection.
Don’t do it all yourself
When time is involved, you can’t do it all alone, get help. Assign friends to take over specific tasks. Or better, hire someone to accomplish several areas at once. For instance, did you know that Thomas Oliver is not just a catering company? If you need party equipment rentals, floral arrangements, photography and videography services or venue ideas, we have the resources at our fingertips to help you. If the budget allows it, hiring an event planner is also a tremendous help since it is their job to throw together splendid parties in a jiffy. However you choose to do it, do not overwhelm yourself with too many tasks, get help, divvy out the duties to buddies or let Thomas Oliver’s Gourmet Catering assist you.