How Do I Start Planning for My Event?

Where do I start? It's usually the first question a host or hostess asks when the decision has been made to throw any sort of event. For me, an event can be any gathering. It doesn't have to be a wedding per se (although that is the ULTIMATE event, and we will touch on weddings in their own blogs), but it does need to be special. An event is your time to tell a story through theme, decorations, food, and drink. It expresses who you are and who the guest of honor is (if different than you).

Sounds daunting and overwhelming? Doesn't have to be. Start with an outline of your plans. Ask yourself the following questions:

Who is attending your event? (guest list)
Who are your guests?
Who is this event for?
Who is helping you?
Who is monitoring everything throughout the night to ensure this event is a success?

What kind of event is this? (engagement party, birthday party). Are there certain rituals that are associated with this event?
What kind of food are you serving? (make a shopping list for this)
What kind of drink are you serving?
What are your decorations?
What are your guests going to do during this event?
What are they going to sit on?
What are they going to eat on? drink on?
What are they going to listen to?

Where?
Where is this event being held (venue)?
Where should you set up everything? (food, drink, music, sitting areas)
Where are your guests going to park?
Where are you guests going to use the restroom? (gross, but necessity)
Where are your guests going to throw away trash?

When? ( I highly suggest creating a timeline for that day to keep yourself on track)
When is this event? (date and time)
When are you going to set up?
When are you going to set food out? drinks out? cake?
When are you going to end the event?

Why?
Are you doing this for your best friend of 20 years? Or are you doing this because you have the big house and was volun-told to do this event? If its the latter, consider recruiting extra help in getting this done!

How?
How are you going to pull this off, be well rested enough to enjoy your event, and have it run smoothly throughout the night?

Personally, I always had four lists for any event: a shopping checklist, a cleaning list (if using my own house), a set-up checklist, and a timeline for the day, including when to set up food/drinks/decorations, when to cook certain items. Everything was written down, so all I did was execute what I had already planned. This may work for you too.

I always made it a goal to do as little as possible on the actual day of the event. Start your cleaning projects one week out, covering the deep cleaning first, then the light on the night before or even the morning of. Prep as much as you can the day before as well, including decorations and food. Event with all this prep, an event can still be a stressful and exhausting time (although a fun one)

For really important events, hiring a Day of Coordinator is a great idea. (You don't want to be prepping in your kitchen at your best friends engagement party, do you?) Amazing DIY Events is available to help with any of your events. Services start at just $50 and can greatly save you time and energy the day of your big event! Visit us at www.facebook.com/amazingdiyevents for more information. Blogs every Tuesday- so check back with us next week when we discuss themes!

Welcome to Amazing DIY Events

Welcome to Amazing DIY Events!

What makes an Amazing DIY Event? Is it a simple affair with a few close friends, or a platinum event with you and 500 guests? Is it one where the host/hostess does everything from playing cook and bartender or is it one where all the guests contrbute something towards the event? Whatever event you want to create, we can help you make it amazing.

Who am I?

My name is Erika DuVal, owner of Amazing DIY Events. I have always been a planner. While I wasn't the little girl who dreamed about her ideal wedding, I was always a planner. When I was in the 5th grade, my father drove me and 4 of my friends to Six Flags. While I was excited about going, I was more concerned/excited about the trip over and back. Part of my planning included seating (who should sit where), food and drink (snacks would be provided and ready in a cooler), blankets and pillows for comfort, and a few mixed tapes (entertainment). I even drew a seating chart. When my grandmother and grandfather had the family over for their anniversary, I proceeded to plan the events around the night (at age 8) and provided everyone itineraries when the walked in the door.

This is what I loved to do. Then I grew up and thought that getting a J.O.B was the way to go. I went through school, obtained my Master's degree, and worked my way up the corporate world. While I enjoyed helping friends with their weddings and parties, and heading corporate events, I never considered a career out of it until I planned my own wedding. I fell in love all over again- this time with weddings, bridal showers, engagements parties, etc. I am excited to share my knowledge, organization, and great attention to detail with you, my clients.

Why Amazing DIY Events?

I started Amazing DIY Events for you: the DIY bride or hostess that wants to plan their own amazing event, but for whatever reason, either necessity or choice, find themselves planning a part or all of it on your own. While this process may be a bit daunting, we provide tools and support to help you through the process so you actually have fun with it!

So, why is Amazing DIY Events your place for your DIY planning? DIY brides have probably already done your research, but for those that haven't: Wedding Planners cost anywhere from $2,000- $10,000. They are there full time, answer all of your questions, make all of your phone calls, etc. The next option is to hire a Day of Coordinator, who comes in the day of your wedding and coordinates all events that day, charging anywhere from $500- $1000 for the day. I had a day of coordinator, and while she was fantastic, I had to spend a good 2-3 hours going over everything with her 3 days before my wedding, and even then I didn't feel like she understood my wedding fully.

Amazing DIY Events is different: We offer planning services, but at an a la carte option, so that you can customize what you need from us. We will still be there throughout the planning process, but more of a coach rather than a planner. The result is that you get a personal coach throughout the planning of your event, but at a lower cost. We also provide inspiration and ideas to DIY planners, showing you how to execute your amazing day.
 

Weekly Inspiration:

Check back every Tuesday for a new ideas, inspiration, and help! Check us out at www.amazingdiyevents.com for our services and information.

Thank you!