How Much Does it Really Cost to Throw a Party?
One of the most common questions we get asked at Feel Good Events is ‘how much will it cost to throw a party?’ If you have never thrown a party before, you might be in for a bit of a shock! With so many factors to consider, the costs can add up quite quickly. Especially if you want to create an unforgettable experience for yourself and your guests. The type of party you are having, your venue, and how many people you invite will all have a big impact on costs.
So, how much does a party cost? We’ve put together this guide to give you some approximate costs and give you an idea of what to expect!
Everyone’s idea of a great party is different. This means that not everyone will require all of the services listed below. This price guide will give you a good indication of how much various party services can cost. In every category, there will always be cheaper and more expensive services, so this pricing is more in the middle of the range. Again, there are a lot of variables to consider, but this guide will hopefully give you a good baseline on general costs! Keep reading to find out more.
Catering Costs
Finger Food
Finger food and canapes are a great catering option if your party is cocktail-style. You can customise the amount of food you want to include as well as what types of food you want at your party.
8 pieces of canapes per person: $40 per person
Includes:
- A mixture of hot and cold canapes
- Small sliders
- Spring rolls
- Arancini
- Croquettes
- Sausage rolls
And much more.
Sit-Down Dinner
Planning a sit-down dinner at your party? Choose what kind of food you want to serve, as well as how many courses you want to have. These factors will influence how much it costs.
1 course: $50 per person
2 courses: $65 per person
3 courses: $85 per person
Grazing Table
Grazing tables are becoming increasingly popular at parties and events. You can curate them to match your preferences, and they can act as a focal point at your party. Likewise, you can add props and styling to take them to the next level.
1.5m board to feed 50 people: $1,200
2m board to feed 100 people: $1,500
Delivery and setup included.
Includes the following:
- Selection of top-notch cheeses, charcuterie, and dips
- Quince paste
- Mixed antipasto
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Nuts and dried fruits
- Pretzels, chocolate pretzels, and chocolate almonds
If you want help decorating your grazing table, this is available at an added cost.
Food Trucks
Food trucks are another great, stress-free catering option for your party. Let your guests order their own food when they want it! Great for adding a casual vibe to your party.
Pizza Truck: $40 per person
Basic all-you-can-eat option. The price does not include delivery and labour costs.
Bianco Latte (Gelato): $1,000
Suitable for up to 120 people. Includes 1 hour of service, 4 flavour choices, 1 server, and free-flow gelato. The price does not include delivery and pickup fees.
General Food Truck: $1,500 upwards
Prices vary a lot but most are based on minimum spend. The day of the week and time of your event influence costs.
Beverage Costs
This package includes all bar equipment, glassware, drink tubs, ice buckets, and ice. If you want to hire a bartender, this will be an additional cost.
2 hours: $32pp
3 hours: $43pp
4 hours: $54pp
5 hours: $65pp
Includes:
- Beer: Light and heavy options
- Wine: Sparkling wine, white wine, red wine
- Soft drinks and sparkling water
Cocktails (not included): $14 per cocktail
Spirits (vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila, bourbon): $15 per person
Venue Hire Costs
If you choose to hire a venue for your party, this is likely to be the most expensive factor.
Minimum Spend
Most venues will work on a minimum spend either over the bar or including food.
$5,000 minimum spend counted towards food and drinks (no venue hire fee). This price range is for small to medium-sized venues in the Melbourne metro area.
Venue Hire + Minimum Spend
Other venues may have a venue hire fee that is not counted towards food and drink. This fee will purely cover the cost of hiring out the space.
$2,500 venue hire + minimum spend on food and drinks.
These venues will have in-house catering that you must use – you can’t hire your own.
DIY Venues
These venues are blank canvas-type spaces where you can bring all your own suppliers. There will usually be a venue hire fee upwards of $500.
The exact fee will vary for each venue and depend on the style, location, and capacity.
*Please note: when hiring a DIY venue, you may need to consider hiring AV, decorations, catering and beverages, a DJ, furniture, and much more. These types of venues usually require a lot more work on your behalf as you are also responsible for cleaning the venue at the end of the night.
Marquee Hire Costs
If you’re planning a party outdoors, a marquee is always a good idea. By hiring a marquee, you can protect yourself and your guests from the unpredictable Melbourne weather. A marquee will also provide privacy, and you can decorate them however you like!
This size will comfortably fit 50 people with a DJ, a bar, as well as cocktail furniture.
Clear Span (Pegged)
6m x 12m Clear Span Structure Marquee, pegged with clear or white walls.
$3,000
Add on timber flooring: $1,500
Clear Span (Weighted)
6m x 12m Clear Span Structure Marquee, weighted with clear or white walls.
$3,500
Add ons
Timber flooring: $1,500
Festoons: $500
Silk lining: Price on Application
This size will comfortably fit 100 people with a DJ, a bar, as well as cocktail furniture.
Clear Span (Pegged)
10m x 10m Clear Span Structure Marquee, pegged with clear or white walls
$3,500
Add on timber flooring: $2,000
Clear Span (Weighted)
10m x 10m Clear Span Structure Marquee, weighted with clear or white walls
$4,000
Add ons
Timber flooring: $2,000
Festoons: $800
Silk lining: Price on Application
Balloon Hire Costs
There are a lot of variables when it comes to balloons and balloon garlands.
Average price for a balloon garland per metre: $200
(Not including delivery)
Hire Furniture Costs
Depending on the style and type of furniture you are wanting for your party, costs will vary. The pricing below is based on some standard types of event furniture.
Furniture, Bar, and Dance Floor: $2,000
Includes:
- 6 High Bar Tables
- 2 coffee tables
- 25 Bar Stools
- 4.8m x 4.8m Dance Floor (black or white).
This furniture is suitable for about 50 people. Pricing does not include delivery and pickup and is also based on the event space being empty.
Photographer/Videographer Costs
Photographer
3-hour minimum – standard photography
Includes a professional Event Photographer, maximum 7-day turnaround, and high-resolution photographs.
4 hours: $650
Videographer
2-hour minimum – standard videography
Includes a professional cinematographer, a cinematic highlights video, an up to 4K UHD video camera, and personalised post-production. This package also includes up to two revisions.
4 hours: $1,300
(This price also includes basic editing)
Photo booth
The mirrored photobooth includes a Dropbox link to all of your photos, as well as printed photos. Price also includes setup and pack down.
5 hours: $1,500
Entertainment Costs
DJ – Party Package
Professional DJ with a DJ console and quality sound system that is suitable for up to 150 people. The package also includes party lights on a lighting stand.
$160 per hour
(Minimum 5 hours)
DIY Lighting and Sound System
This option is for if you want to play music using Spotify from your mobile device, and just need a basic sound system. This package also features some party lights.
$250
Bands
Duo with guitar (2 x 45 minute sets): $1,000
3-4 piece band: $2,000-$3,000
Dancers
10-minute show: $1,500-$2,000
Includes 3 dancers (5 dance numbers), multiple costume changes, and audience participation. Also includes a photo session with the guests.
20-minute show: $2,500-$3,000
Includes 5 dancers (7 dance numbers), multiple costume changes, and audience participation. Also includes a photo session with the guests,
Additional add-on of 2 drummers: $900
Cake Costs
50-person cake: $100-$500
(Price on application)
This price does not include delviery.
Invitation Costs
50 printed invitations: $200-$500
This pricing is for 100 printed invitations but does not include delivery.
(Includes custom design and printing)
Decorating Costs
Decorating is a tough one as there are just so many options and variables! The size of your venue and the theme/style you choose will all factor into the cost.
Above all, decorating is based on your budget. If you have $1,000 to spend, that’s what it’ll cost!
At a minimum, $1,000 to $2,000 will get you some basic decorations. $10,000 to $20,000, on the other hand, will give you more of a full room transformation for your event space.
On the other hand, if you want to lower the cost of your decorating you can use disposable decorations and do it all yourself.
*Please note: these prices are inclusive of installation costs, but delivery fees will be extra.
To give you a better understanding of party decorating costs click here to check out our blog post on decorating costs.
Portable Toilet Costs
DUO unit (two toilets) including delivery and pickup for the Melbourne metro area.
$1,700
(The units sit on the ground)
Other Services to Consider
On top of all the services we have listed so far, there might be some additional ones you want to hire, including:
- Cleaners
- Security
- Transport to and from the party
- Party games
- Hair & makeup
- Party dress/suit/costume
- Fireworks
- Site permits (if you are using a public space)
All of these services are price on application.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. Our breakdown of what it costs to throw a party. As you can see, there are so many factors and variables that can influence costs. The bottom line is that throwing a party is expensive but hopefully, this guide has given you a good indication of what you can expect to be paying!
With so many things to consider and organise, throwing a party can get overwhelming. Feel Good Events is here to help! We’re pros when it comes to sourcing, booking, and organising suppliers and we can do it all for you. Get in contact with our expert event planners to start planning your party!
If you would like one of our party planners to help you out with planning your event, click here to learn more!
