A Guide to Choosing the Right Style for Your Event
Deciding what type of party you want from the very beginning is one of the most important steps in planning an event. It sets the tone for the entire evening and makes the planning process much easier. Whether you’re after something laid-back or a high-energy, wild night, it’s essential to match your party type with the right influences and planning to ensure everything goes as you envision.
Below, we explore three common types of parties to help you decide what kind of event will best suit your style and occasion.
Casual & Lowkey Gathering
If you’re looking for a relaxed, laid-back event, a gathering might be the best fit. This type of party is perfect for intimate occasions like birthday celebrations, small get-togethers, or family reunions. The emphasis is on creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for guests to chat and enjoy each other’s company without too many formalities.
Key elements:
- Background music: Keep it simple by playing music from your phone or laptop. A laid-back playlist with soft, relaxing tunes is perfect for this type of event.
- Minimal décor: Decorations are typically understated, with a few balloons, fairy lights, or candles adding atmosphere without being overwhelming.
- Seating: Unlike more energetic parties, gatherings benefit from having plenty of seating available. Your guests will want to relax and chat, so make sure you provide ample chairs and sofas.
- Venue: Gatherings are often held at home or in small function spaces, making them budget-friendly and intimate.
- Formalities: There may be a few short speeches or toasts, but formalities are kept to a minimum.
Why It Works: A gathering is ideal for people who want a low-energy, early-to-finish event where guests feel comfortable and can enjoy good company without the pressure to dance or engage in high-energy activities.
Dinner Party
If you’re planning a more formal event such as a wedding, corporate function, or a dinner dance, a dinner party setup is likely what you’re after. These events are often centered around a meal and tend to have a more structured schedule with formalities and entertainment.
Key Elements:
- Dinner and formalities: The majority of the night is spent seated, enjoying a multi-course meal. Speeches, toasts, and other formal elements like award presentations or cutting the cake often take up a significant portion of the evening.
- Entertainment: While some dinner parties include a dance portion, it typically happens towards the end of the night, after the meal and formalities. Dancing might not be the main focus, but a band or DJ playing music during and after dinner can still add a lot of fun.
- Lighting and décor: For the dinner portion, mood lighting and subtle décor are typically used to create an elegant, refined atmosphere. Party lighting might come into play later in the evening as the mood shifts towards dancing.
- Timing: Keep in mind that after a large meal, guests might not feel up for dancing right away. Sometimes the dancing portion of a dinner party doesn’t pick up until late in the evening, or it may not last long if people are feeling tired from the meal.
- Venue: These events are often hosted in function venues, banquet halls, or large private homes that can accommodate a seated meal.
Why It Works: A dinner party is perfect for more formal occasions where the emphasis is on the meal and formalities. It works well for weddings, corporate events, or milestone celebrations where the main objective is to bring people together in a more refined, structured setting.
Party of the Year
If you’re aiming to throw a party that people will be talking about for years, a high-energy dance party is the way to go. These events are all about fun, energy, and interaction between guests, with the goal of creating an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Key Elements:
- Cocktail-style setup: These parties tend to avoid sit-down dinners, opting for minimal seating and a focus on cocktail tables and standing areas. Guests are free to move around, mingle, and dance.
- Food and drinks: Instead of a formal meal, offer finger foods, snacks, and cocktails that are easy to grab between conversations or trips to the dance floor. Food stations, drink bars, and signature cocktails are great ways to keep things exciting.
- Music and entertainment: A DJ or live band is essential for a high-energy party. Unlike more laid-back events, where background music is key, these parties thrive on upbeat, danceable tunes that keep the energy high. Don’t rely on a playlist for these types of events – live music or a professional DJ helps set the mood and keep the party going all night.
- Lighting and décor: Use a combination of mood lighting for the early portion of the evening and party lighting for when it’s time to turn up the energy. Think vibrant colors, disco balls, or themed lighting that matches the tone of your event. Themed décor can also play a big role in setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.
- Unique experiences: To really make your event stand out, incorporate interactive elements like photo booths, live performers, or even themed activities that guests haven’t seen before. It’s these small but exciting details that often take a party to the next level.
- Venue: These parties are often held in event spaces with plenty of room to dance and move around. Depending on your budget and theme, you can go all out with decorations and styling, transforming the space into a unique and vibrant environment.
Why It Works: If you want a party with lots of interaction, high-energy dancing, and unique experiences, this is the type of event to plan. Perfect for milestone birthdays, themed parties, or special celebrations, this type of party is designed for those who want to let loose and create lasting memories.
Conclusion
The type of party you choose will have a big impact on the planning process, décor, music, and atmosphere. By defining what kind of event you want early on, you can focus your efforts on the elements that will make your party a success. No matter what type of party you’re planning, taking the time to match your setup with your vision will ensure that it is a hit!
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