First decision: date and time
Your best shot for getting lots of guests is to pick a not-prime time. Try something the Saturday before valentine’s day, for instance, or Sunday, the day after. Also, an off-time, such as brunch or lunch instead of a cocktail or evening party. Check to make sure “Key players” can come—also, a time when you’ll have the week before to do the work.
Guest list
Write down whom you want to invite and take a count. This determines everything from cost to venue to refreshments.
Where will you have it?
Your home? A romantic outdoor patio restaurant? A restaurant with a fireplace and a strolling violinist? Is the rec room at your apartments for rent in Bakersfield, CA.? If you’re going to rent, call ahead and find out how many people they can accommodate, if the place is available that day, how much it will cost, what’s included in the rental fee, and what other services are available. If you’re renting a place, go there and talk to the catering decorator, walk around and take a tour. Questions will occur to you that might not otherwise:
Can you bring your own food and drinks?
What about decorating?
Are there separate fees for room rental, security, maintenance, servers, insurance, etc.?
How are the parking and public transportation? This can make a big difference in your guest’s desire to come, for instance, on a rainy night.
What’s the theme?
Well, valentine’s, but romantic? Light-hearted? Formal? Casual? Choose your theme and then plan your tableware, decorations, invitations, Valentine’s gifts & party favors, and music.
Schedule of party “events”
- Plan a time for mingling, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres before dinner – that’s how people “Warm up.”
- If you’re having honorary speeches or some such (20 minutes is plenty of time to allow for this), allow time afterward because the conversation will be primed.
- Provide background music according to the tone of your event – rock band, romantic piano, harp, etc.
- Now coordinate what you’ve decided on so far: time, place, theme, and cost. Here are some adjustments to be considered:
- Hard liquor and mixed drinks are expensive. If you’re having lots of people, switch to beer and wine, or make an alcoholic punch.
- Caterers can be very pricey, but then there needs to work for you to do. Ordering a decorated cake is an excellent way to handle dessert for a crowd. It brings everyone around, is festive, and is easy to manage.
- Will you want a maid? The day before to clean? The day of the party to serve and clean up? Both? (be sure and check out her uniform. You could provide cute Propose day gifts like a cute and lovely hamper for her.)
- Need a bartender? Also, check on his uniform. You don’t want any surprises.
- Arrange for photography – stills, candid videos, a professional photographer?
- Decorations – floral arrangements are the most expensive, but they can sure dress up a table. You can go to a party store and look around according to your theme if you’re going with paper goods.
Entertainment
Live entertainment adds an exceptional note to a home party. Local talent is probably available which is relatively inexpensive. Check with universities, colleges, high schools, and churches – the choral directors, the music or dance department. Check the yellow pages. There may be several children’s dance groups, and they are always charming because children can do no wrong, entertainment-wise. Check the ballet and tap schools and see if you have a boys’ choir.
Make decisions and book them. Also, get a babysitter for the kids – or send them all over to your sister’s with a sitter over there. Book your hair and nails. Send out the invitations.
The little touches
Now have some fun. Look on the internet for things like valentine’s candles and valentine’s soap for your guest room, a valentine’s wreath for your door, and maybe a heart-shaped doormat. These are little touches you can add, not things you must have.
If it’s in your home, always have something hot to serve that’s in the oven as the guests arrive and smell divine.
Tip: always use candlelight if you can. It hides a multitude of “Sins,” i.e., dust bunnies and carpet stains, and sets a gentle ambiance.
