Party Plan Like Pro // Pre-Party Logistics

SUE'S HALF CENTURY CHALLENGE
My mom turned 50 this year! She took the least awkward, most humble approached and embraced her age head on. Back in August, the two of us dreamed up celebrating her birthday with an activity (or three) that would bring her all of her friends together and Sue's Half Century Challenge was born. The day consisted of a senior Olympics, scavenger hunt around my home town and a trivia night focused on Sue and her favorite movies, books, place, songs, etc. The day was so much fun and the attempt to bring friends together was definitely a success.

For this blog series, I'm going to break down the ideas into separate party ideas, but just know that this can  be done a three-event celebration too!

GET ORGANIZED
The key to any complicated party, is a detailed itinerary. This should include pre-party planning as well as party details and is best kept in a Google Doc (for easy access from any devise and in case you need to share with your co-party-planner). Here is an outline to get you started:

I. To Do List
II. Contacts

III. Deadlines 

IV. Schedule of Events

V. Refreshments

VI. Decorations

VIII. Rules & Guidelines
IX. Pack List

Want to see a template for an itinerary you can copy for yourself? Click here.

SET THE DATE
First of all, set your date. Duh. Get it on the calendar, lock down your venue and mention to your closest (most essential) guests to keep that day clear.

MAKE THE GUEST LIST
One of the first things you need to do, regardless of party theme, is set your guest list. Is this going to be the kind of shindig where you invite everyone you've ever known? Or a more intimate event with a couple of your closest pals? Type out your guest list and then go through the contacts in your phone to make sure you didn't forget anyone. If they aren't a contact in your phone, then they aren't close enough to invite. NOTE: if you are planning a team-based event, you will probably want even numbers, so keep that in mind.

SET YOUR THEME
This is the time to set a Pinterest board. One, to collect party theme ideas and then a second to collect decoration, food, game ideas once you have a theme. Three themes I can think of right off the bat: Olympics, scavenger hunt or trivia...

SEND INVITES
You know I can make invites for you, right? They're one of my favorite things to design...especially if you have a fun theme! But if you're making your own invites, don't forget the essentials:

Name of Event
Date & Time
Location (including Address)
RSVP Date & Contact

Other information....
Is it a surprise?
Is there a hashtag?
Is there a preferred dress code?
Are gifts accepted?
Are there shirts?
If a shower, is there registry information?

Be sure to keep your Contacts list (in the itinerary) updated as RSVPs come in! Note the narrow size of my invite...know why? Because it's the size of an iPhone (5) screen...so you can send it as an image in a text and they can save it and look at how beautiful it is!

UPDATE YOUR ITINERARY
That's why Google Docs rock. You have an app on your phone, so the minute you remember you need to pack scissors, pull up the list and add it! If you do that, you won't forget anything!