Guide: How to PLAN A house party
4 MIN READ →
There are House Parties, and there are HOUSE PARTIES ~ am I right?
You might think it’s easy to just throw a House Party, but actually the most memorable & successful parties don’t just come together by chance. It’s very likely a successful host, sat down and considered the below points in the process of reaching those ultimate party goals.
We’ve been a part of many House Parties over the years as caterers & event planners, as well as hosted many of our own - so we thought we would share our guide of key things to consider, so your party is 100% one to remember!
THE FUN STUFF
THEME / Everyone loves a theme! Whatever you do, whether you keep it simple and just pick a few colours or go with a more involved theme, just make it consistent throughout the whole event. We find that once you decide this part, it actually guides your other decisions, giving you a clear direction to follow in all aspects of planning your event. If you do this first, your invites can go out and set the tone of what guests might expect to experience ~ BOOM, you’re on your way!
TIP. We love a mood board! You could spend a few mins searching up on a theme or some event colours, and pop it altogether in one doc or folder. This way, for each step of your planning, you have something to keep you on track! Look at you go!
Of course you could also get a Stylist or Planner to take this on for you! We’re happy to point you in the right direction - reach out to our team here.
ENTERTAINMENT / Think about the type of vibe you’re after. Is it a day party? Is background music appropriate and if so, what type of music would set the right tone? Is it a night party, and are you looking for guests to have a really good dance? Does budget allow for a show stopper?! Something like Saxophonist for example - to come out and wow your guests? Whether you do the music yourself, have a DJ or hire a few musicians - music is a big part of any event, so have a good brainstorm and consider what might take this party to the next level.
TIP. Get this locked in early.
FOOD / Food is super important, and as caterers ourselves - we can’t stress this enough! Nobody wants guests looking longingly at the kitchen, wondering if there’s anything else coming OR heaven forbid guests doing a Macca’s run on the way home! Depending on the time of day, or the duration of your event, you’ll need to consider what is the right kind of food for your party, and how much is necessary. If you hold your event around lunch or dinner time, you’ll need to ensure guests are very well fed! For more on how to know if you have enough food, see our guide on party food ~ coming soon!
TIP. If your caterers are coming to use your kitchen, pack away everything you can off the benches, and clear up some fridge space before they come!
DRINKS / Firstly, find spot for your bar that backs onto a wall of some sort, or a nice corner, so you can hide any ‘back of house’ type mess! We recommend hiring a nice high bar - it just takes your event to the next level! Make sure whoever is working the bar has access to easily come in and out if they need to get more ice or re-stock for example. Cover off all the basics, like plenty of water, a juice, and mixers like soda water for spirits. Ensure you have a few lemons and limes cut too.
If you’re going to provide the bar yourself that’s great, remember, no one knows your guest’s needs better than you. Have a look at your guest list and determine what type of drinks you might offer. Do some basic calculations and account for as many drinks as you think is reasonable for the duration of the party X per person who might have a drink.
TIP. Most stores you buy alcohol from, accept returns for a full refund (check first!). So if you get a bit more than you need just to be safe, simply take it back the next day!
If you’re not comfortable with this part, there are many companies who can come in and handle it for you. Just reach out here, and we can point you in the right direction!
THE PLANNING STUFF
SPACE / Consider the size of the house, and how many guest you could accommodate to create that perfect setting. Plan your guest list according to the space/spaces you have. The last thing you want is an overcrowded event (hectic!) - or one that lacks vibe because the space is too big for the amount of guests invited. (Ugh!)
FURNITURE / Assess the furniture you have at home, and consider whether you could move some of it and create more space, or perhaps use it in different areas. It’s nice to have some standing space for people to chat and mingle, and also good to create room for caterers to be able to get through to everyone as well. Event hire companies can come in handy for things like high top tables, and high bar stools for outdoor areas for example.
SEATING / Have a think about how many guests there are, and how many corresponding seats you need. We advise having at least 30%-40% of the guest numbers covered with somewhere for their bum to sit, and rest their feet! Perhaps create some seating areas for different age groups, and crews ~ everyone loves a ‘spot’ at a party. *If your guest list is a little older, you might need to consider more seating ~ you know bad backs, knees etc :)
TIP. Try to create seating areas where people have a good view, and feel close to the rest of the party. It makes everyone feel involved and keeps vibes high!
AGE OF GUESTS / Have a look at your list, and ensure guests like Mums & bubs have been thought of , (Pram space, food needs & changing areas) as well as Grandmother’s, Giagias & Nonnas. Especially the latter - trust us, you won’t hear the end of it if the important relos aren’t happy! We suggest a seating area especially for guests like older relos.
TIP. Ensure your caterer’s look after these relos like their life depends on it!!
KIDS / For events where kids are invited, a designated area for them to play is ideal. Think activities, games and even an entertainer to potentially come for a period of time! Parents will love you for it, (so will other guests!) and the kids will have a ball. This also makes it easy for you to find all of the kids, when it comes to feeding them!
TIP. Feed the kids early on, and AVOID things like play dough, glitter, paint, and anything small which could be a choking hazard.
WEATHER / Depending on the time of year, you’ll need to ensure guests are comfortable. You don’t want an uncomfortable temperature affecting the vibe (if you can avoid it of course) - it could mean the party ends earlier than it should! Marquees with heating for the cooler months are always a winner, and ensure the Marquee/s can be connected to the house, so if it rains guests are covered wherever they walk! For those warmer months - air conditioning is ideal, but also some fans around the place could come in handy, plenty of shade and have an abundance of ice at the bar!
TIP. Umbrellas are a nice way to provide some shade or cover, and can also add to the vibe of the party.
CLEAN UP & RUBBISH / Make sure you have enough bins scattered around the place! It’s always good to keep on top of the rubbish during a party, this will make clean up a lot easier. You can get creative if you don’t want ugly bins around - just choose something that might complement your theme, but really you want them to blend in. Scatter them around in two’s and label one for ‘Glass’, and the other for ‘Rubbish.’
We suggest you empty your home rubbish bins as much as you can before the party, and have a space somewhere away from guest’s sight, where you can keep additional bags if you’ve run out of bin space! Let the caterer’s and bar staff know this spot before the party, so they don’t bother you during - as most suppliers don’t take their rubbish with them!
TIP. If you have any neighbours you’re friendly with, ask them to borrow some bin space in the days after the party!
ALERTS / If you’re planning a big, and potentially loud night party - you’ll need to alert the neighbours, and even pop a call in to the police. This might just avoid any dramas, and hopefully lead to a bit of understanding on the night.
TIP. If the music is quite loud, remember to turn it down a little around 11pm, you might just avoid any noise complaints and be able to party for longer, and hopefully - well into the night!
You’ve got this! As always, we’re here and happy to help. Let’s Chat!
House Party not for you? See our Guide on ‘Choosing the right Venue’ →