How to plan the perfect birthday party

Celebrating your birthday is a lovely milestone that most of us like to mark in a special way. While of course most of us are happy to let some birthdays pass by with low key celebrations, when it comes to turning 30, 40, 50 or even 60 we often want to mark the occasion in a big way.

An adult birthday party can and should be a fun occasion, but if you are organising it for yourself or a special someone, it can turn stressful.

We’ve pulled together a list of helpful tips to make sure that you have a hassle-free, fun-filled next birthday party.

First things first choose your date. The ideal date for a party is the weekend as most guests should be able to make time without having to book leave from work. Of course, this might mean booking the weekend before or after the actual birthday but does mean that you should have most of the people you want to celebrate with there.

Make sure to set a realistic budget that allows you to create a lovely party without stretching your finances too far. Don’t try and do everything and pack all sorts into the budget, stay firm and only choose options that are in your price range and budget.

Next up is the venue. This will to some extent be dictated by how many guests you are having. But we would always advise booking the venue before you invite people in case you come close to the date and can't find anything suitable.

Now if you want a small intimate evening with just family and friends, then host the party at home. However, if you are going for a big party and don’t want to cater for a huge crowd at home then book a restaurant or function room in a hotel or venue that fits your needs.

Once you’ve fixed on a date and a venue make sure to make a list and check it twice. You don’t want to miss anyone special on the guest list! Your birthday invitations can be plain and simple, or if you’ve opted to go for a themed party, you could carry this through into the invites.

Now for the fun part…the food.

While a buffet is the easiest way of serving food for a large number it might not be your style. Sharing platters are a great way to feed your guests and create an intimate feeling if you are a small group. Or if you’ve gone for the restaurant option you can, of course, allow your guests to choose from the a la carte menu – which might hit your budget!

Décor and choosing what to use in the venue will be easier if you’ve chosen a theme. That could be as simple as a colour theme so all your décor is blue, or if for example the birthday girl or boy is a big fan of The Great Gatsby you could have an Art Deco theme. Summertime parties lend themselves to tropical themes or you could even go for a Parisian theme…the choices are endless.

It also pays to carry through the theme into your entertainment. To make the event fun make sure to book acts or bands that are interactive. Make sure that your band or DJ plays music that keeps the party moving and is appropriate for all age groups at the party.

And finally, find a way to give your guests a keepsake or favour from the night that will make the memories of a special day last even longer. Contact our creative team for some inspiration.