Summer is a great season to throw a party (or two). The sun is shining, everyone is in a great mood, the evenings last longer and the temperature is warmer. However, not all of us can afford to throw a high-budget affair!
So if you’re keen to keep the costs down but still want to put on a summer party that people will remember, our top tips for throwing one on a budget should come in handy…
Think about the event space carefully
Instead of hiring an event space, use your home or garden instead. Asides from sidestepping venue fees, there’s no need to book a taxi when the evening comes to an end. Instead, you can roll straight into bed and worry about clearing up the mess in the morning! There are numerous ways to decorate your home, all of which are relatively low-cost.
These include investing in colourful balloons, flowers, streamers, bunting, and more. Look to the likes of Pinterest for inspiration.
Keep numbers down
More heads to feed and water ultimately means more money! So instead of inviting everyone in your phone book, choose your guests wisely. Only invite those you know well as opposed to friends of friends and you should find you’re better placed to keep costs down!
Ask friends and family to bring supplies
Instead of providing food and drinks for all, ask each guest to bring something along. In most cases, they will anyway! Whether it’s something to throw on the BBQ, a bottle of wine, a dessert, or even a bag of ice, if everyone chips in, the costs will stay down. This is also the perfect opportunity to try your hand at baking or crafting some tasty cocktails!
Make your own music
Instead of hiring a DJ or band (both of which can be hugely expensive), pop your own tunes on instead. There are some great sound systems available today, many of which boast incredible acoustics. Providing you pick a summer-worthy playlist, everyone is guaranteed to dance the night away!
Alternatively, get guests to submit song requests, either when you send out the invitation or at the event itself.
Buy food and drink in bulk
Instead of visiting your local supermarket at the last minute, buy food from a wholesaler in bulk. This is a great way to get more for your money and is a must if feeding many mouths. What you don’t use can always be used at a later date too.
Decide on a theme
An eccentric theme can cost a great deal more than something low-key, yet both can be just as enjoyable. Instead of hiring flame throwers, dancers, musicians, and more choose a dress code instead, such as Alice in Wonderland, a circus theme, black tie, or Hawaiian shirts. The outfits, drinks, and decor can be styled around this – and don’t require a large budget.
Opt for midweek events
If hiring a venue, choose a date and time that is off-peak, such as a weekday. Many venues tend to up their prices at the weekend when demand is higher, yet are happy to provide their space for a lower fee on the likes of a Monday or Tuesday evening.
It helps to look around for venues too, as village halls, social clubs, and other similar venues may all have spaces that you can use, and often at relatively low cost.
Buy flowers online
Adding floral arrangements to tables and countertops is a great way to add style to any venue. Opt for a colour and theme and buy as many blooms as required. You can split the bouquets to spread the joy or keep them together for a high-impact look.
This is a cost-effective way to add a little sophistication to your soirée without having to pay for a specialist florist.
Do it yourself
Instead of hiring a party planner, take matters into your own hands. Providing you have a trusty list and a few friends on hand to help out, you can save a great deal by sidestepping a planner’s hefty fees. Simply assign each individual involved a task. One can be in charge of food and drink, another the flowers, another the music and so on.
Summer is one of the best times of the year to spend with friends, colleagues, and family members. With graduations, birthdays, and barbecue activities in full swing, it can be an action-packed season. Instead of spending lots of money on hosting summer soirées, why not consider these creative ways to throw summer parties on a budget instead!
Following our top tips will not only ensure you throw a memorable bash, but you’ll also save money whilst doing so! You may even decide you enjoy party planning so much you want to make a career out of it!
Sources: thespruce.com, gobankingrates.com
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