So, you’re throwing a party and you want it to be one that your guests are talking about for a long time. Making your party unique and memorable can be a bit of a challenge, but fortunately, the team here at Goosedale are here to help. As one of the most prestigious party venues in Nottingham, Goosedale’s experienced event management team have helped to organise and run countless memorable get-togethers. Using that knowledge, we’ve put together some top tips to help you throw the ultimate party.
We’re going to work through the planning process in stages so that you can ensure you’re completing everything in a logical order. All you’re going to need before you start the planning process is goodwill, dedication and a little creativity! Now, let’s get into the details, starting from the first step of the planning process – finding a venue.
Venue hire has a very big part to play when it comes to creating your dream event. Most importantly, you need to make sure that your party venue is both practical and impressive because the first things that your guests will notice will be the atmosphere and the setting of your party.
The biggest details that will impact your selection of party venue are usually budget, suitability and location, so let’s work through what to look for when investigating these three details.
Budget is obviously the be all and end all of your party venue solution. If you can’t afford to hire a venue then it simply isn’t the one for you. However, don’t discount a party venue option just because their estimated pricing exceeds your budget. Many venues will have different rates depending on your needs and requirements, particularly if you are going to require additional services. So, if you like the look of a venue, always get in touch to find out more before dismissing it as too expensive.
Suitability is another fundamental aspect of any venue. Your primary concern should be ensuring that you have enough space to account for everyone. This can be challenging, primarily because you don’t want to pick a venue that is too big because this will be more expensive and it will make the room seem empty, even if it isn’t. In general, it’s always a good idea to make your number of guests known when enquiring with a venue because most management teams will be able to recommend if their space is appropriate for you.
At Goosedale, we are proud to be one of the most adaptable and versatile party venues in Nottingham. By having a vast range of rooms on offer, we can cater to anything from small parties of 20 through to large occasions of 500. We push ourselves to always be suitable for your requirements.
The final point to keep in mind when searching for your dream party venue is location. Whilst your party can take place a fair distance from home and people are still likely to attend, your main concern should be how accessible the setting is. If your event is being hosted in the middle of nowhere down countless country roads, your guests are significantly more likely to have trouble arriving on time and when they eventually reach the party, they will be tired and stressed by the journey. Instead, it’s best to pick a venue that is easy to reach via major travel routes – that way, you can make sure that everyone has a stress-free journey to the party.
If you keep each of these details in mind, you can’t go wrong with your choice of venue; it won’t break your bank and it will be perfect for each and every one of your guests.
At the heart of any good party is good music! There is a big difference between a good DJ and a bad DJ; one will have your guests up on the dance floor having the time of their lives, whereas the other will play songs that don’t suit your audience’s musical tastes, resulting in a flat and boring event. Similarly, not everybody goes to a party to dance, so if the music is so loud that people are struggling to talk then they won’t enjoy themselves and will probably leave early. A good DJ will be able to read the crowd, letting people settle in and mingle early on before really getting the party started later.
Whilst the most common party entertainment is the music, that doesn’t stop you from adding something special and different to your event. Other options like magicians, comedians and even limbo competitions can all add something unique to your event, so make sure that you do some research into the different entertainers and choices available. Be sure to consult your venue if you need anything special organising for your entertainment selection.
Many private parties start off in the early evening, beginning with a sit-down meal and some time to chat with the attendees. However, even if your party starts after everyone has eaten, there’s no harm in having some small snacks on the side, particularly if the start of your party is going to be more about socialising than dancing.
The fact of the matter is that people love good food, so if you do opt for catering, you want to make sure that what you’re supplying is good quality. Depending on the style of venue, your catering options are likely to differ. At Goosedale, we do our best to offer a complete package of the highest quality, which is why we include the option for catering with all of our venue hire options and have a menu on our website to detail your options. However, other venues might not offer their own food, in which case you will need to organise catering with both an external company and your venue. Always ensure that you discuss catering with your venue first, as they might have specific rules on what is and isn’t permitted.
If you decide to put on a spread, make sure people know that you are putting food on and roughly what time it will be getting served. Otherwise, people will eat before they arrive, and you will have over-ordered on the catering, or people will leave early if they are too hungry if you have under-ordered. A light buffet is usually the best option for parties, but the choice is ultimately yours.
Finally, we have the matter of the party theme. A theme can truly make or break a party; a well-selected one will bring all of the attendees together through dressing up, instantly making them loosen up and enjoy themselves upon arriving. On the flipside, a poorly chosen theme will cause people to worry about their outfits and feel displeased with how they look on the day, which will only hinder their enjoyment.
In summary, a theme offers a great way to ensure your party is unique and interesting, but it’s always best to try and select one that is broad enough to allow for some individualism and creativity. Decades like the 20s, 60s or 80s are always great options, but as a general rule, you should avoid extremely focused themes because they can become samey and boring on the night.
If you keep these top tips in mind, you’re guaranteed to create the ultimate party that stays with the guests for many years to come. For more information on using Goosedale as your party venue, click here, or get in touch with us on 0115 9635 433.
