From graduation parties to weddings, planning large events takes a great amount of time to organize. Finding a venue, food, renting tents, tables, chairs….the list is endless. Then, the bills start rolling in; will you be able to pay them off with ease or will you be consumed with thoughts like, “Where will I come up with the funds to pay for this?”
We’ll be taking a look at some ideas on how to keep yourself within your budget.
First, develop a checklist that you can follow. If possible, have someone review the checklist who has previously organized an event to ensure you have all of your bases covered. Next, cross off each detail as you complete it. Not only will this provide you with a sense of accomplishment, it will help keep you on track with your budget. Then, review the expenses and determine if they are reasonable. If not, think on what you are able to compromise on within the budget.
Another thing you should consider before proceeding is how large the event will be, how many people will be invited. To help you decide on where you hold the event, think about how much you can afford to spend from your budget as the location may end up consuming the majority of your budget.
Some options for location are:
At your home: Having the event at your home saves you money in the long run. A point to remember is with those savings comes more stress and work for you to do. Here are a few tips to help lighten your load:
- When people ask you if they can help, take them up on the offer.
- Use décor others have used for events in the past.
- Create a list of contractors and vendors others have used and found to be practical.
- Ask family and friends to provide a recipe or offer to bring their favorite dish to pass.
- If your friends have children, hire them to assist in set up and tear down. They may also be able to assist during the event to allow you time to spend with your guests.
At a venue: When you hold the event at a venue, you let others do the work for you, although there may be higher costs associated with that. A few ideas to help you potentially lower the costs are:
- Plan your event during a non-peak time, you may find your costs substantially lower.
- Ask for a price cut if you use more than one of their services.
- Find foods that will feed more for less money. Examples are hors d’oeuvres or appetizers.
Invitations if needed, can be very simple and sent via social media or by a personal
telephone call. If you are planning a wedding, check with your list of vendors to see if they offer options for printed invitations. Often times, you can qualify for a discount by signing up for multiple services.
By skipping the extras that add to the bottom line, you can stay within your budget and forego the buyer’s remorse. Your guests will enjoy the event and so will you knowing that you did it all on an affordable budget.