If you’ve never planned an event before, you might be surprised at all the work that goes into it. It’s hard to know where to begin!
To start, think back to a few events you particularly enjoyed. What about them did you find memorable? Was it the engaging speakers, the unique venue, or the mouth-watering snack platters?
Every event is unique, but the most successful ones have a few things in common. If you want your special occasion to rock, try these 5 tips:
Visit the Venue
If you’ve ever been house hunting, then you know that online photos can be misleading. What seemed like your dream home in the listing may fall short of your expectations in person.
When you’re planning an event, your reputation is on the line. The venue you choose has a large impact on the success of your event. Make sure to check it out in person before you book it.
Create a Theme
Themes are what tie an event together; they make the evening more memorable for your guests. But how do you incorporate a theme into your event?
Here’s an example: let’s say you’re planning a corporate event to celebrate a company milestone. If you’ve hired a magician for the evening, you might design the event with a “magic” theme. You can pull this off in a few ways off:
Decorate the venue with fun props, like playing cards, black top hats, and magic wands.
Contact a bakery to make a custom magician-themed cake. It could be in the shape of a rabbit or balloon.
Encourage your speakers to mention magic in their presentations. Even something as simple as, “You’re in for a magical evening!”
All of these tiny details work together to make an event feel cohesive.
Set Goals
Why are you hosting an event? Your answer will determine how the evening is structured; it will dictate the duration, style, and format of the event.
Are you putting on an event to network with other businesses? Or are you celebrating the accomplishments of your company? Perhaps you’re planning a smaller, more intimate event with friends and family. Based on your goals, you can structure the event accordingly.
Plans & Backup Plans
Every event planner dreams of running an event without a hitch. The question is: how do you do it?
Here’s our advice: it’s always better to over-plan than under plan. Even if you have a clear picture in your mind, it’s easy to let little things slip through the cracks. We suggest writing everything down.
Create a careful checklist that lists everything you need for the event. Then, go into detail about each item. How far in advance do you need to prepare for that task? When will those items arrive?
Despite your careful planning, there’s still a lot that can go wrong. Some things are entirely beyond your control; maybe your catering company bails at the last minute, and you have no food to serve. Avoid the last-minute panic by creating backup plans for as many items as you can. If all else fails, you can always order a pizza, right?
Hire a Unique Entertainment Act
You’ve booked an awesome venue, you’ve chosen a unique theme, and you’ve sent out all the invitations. What’s next?
All that’s left is choosing an entertainment act. Here at Brent and Sarah Toronto Magicians, we have all sorts of tricks up our sleeves. We’ll keep your guests on the edges of their seats with our comedic, musical, and unbelievable magic show. Contact us today!