I was determined to throw my mother the most beautiful 70th birthday. I wanted it to be an event that she and her friends would talk about for a long time to come. Plus, she deserved to be celebrated.
Being a busy mother to four small children, I knew this was not a task I could do alone. My aunt immediately came to mind. She is a fantastic hostess, and I model so many of my own gatherings from my experiences at her parties. After a simple text asking if we could join forces, she happily agreed.
It was official, the party was on!
Now, looking back two weeks later, I can proudly say the event was seamless. It was a combination of the venue’s aesthetic and excellent customer service – but also intentional planning.
Here are my 5 tips to turn a party idea into an absolute success –
- Pick the venue wisely: The location of the party will determine many factors, and may be the most important part of planning a party. How many people can be accommodated? Is it a good location for most of the guests on the guest list? What theme or vibe the party will be? What kind of food or drink choices will be available? And even how memories will be captured in pictures? Living in the Chicago suburbs, we definitely had our share of venue choices. My aunt had experience at Oscar Swan in Geneva, IL and suggested it. After viewing it online and in person, I knew it could be a perfect fit. Oscar Swan would give us the elegance we were seeking with minimal decorating on our part. It also opened the door to having the party be a high tea affair.
- Lock in Theme & Share with Guests: With the venue locked in as Oscar Swan, my aunt & I both agreed it would be a high tea, fit for a queen. My Aunt recalled a television show that was on the air when they were children called “Queen for the Day.” It was set, my mom would be crowned Queen for the Day for her special celebration! The party invitations followed next where I found the most darling design depicting a Par-Tea. Despite our digital age, I insist on printed and mailed invitations. Who doesn’t appreciate real mail? Having a central theme gives guests an idea of what to expect before they even RSVP “yes!” Choosing what to wear or what gift to bring may be driven by the theme.
- Elevate with Detail: When I attend parties & weddings, I take in all the details. I love when not one thing is overlooked. I believe that all guests sense this detail, even if they aren’t taking photos of them like I do. The venue we chose is adorned with old beauty. Everywhere you turned was original woodwork, winding staircases, a roaring fireplace, and decor found in museum archives. That lightened our decorating task; however, we still wanted those custom touches. Ryan & Francesca (#2) made oak stands that looked like the number 70. This required Ryan’s amazing woodshop & CNC skills. The stand held a 2×3 card I made for everyone to share photos from the day. I’ve learned that when hosting & running after children, I often miss or plain forget to take pictures! This was the perfect solution, now over 30 of us could share our photo dumps. In addition to small place setting decor, the kids and I made custom “confetti” using a Cricut. Custom confetti can add so much to the table settings and guests are usually shocked to see confetti that goes with the theme so brilliantly. The tables were decorated with sparkly crowns, the number 70, and my mom’s name. What a gorgeous tablescape!
- Play the Hostess Role: Hosting a party doesn’t stop once the invitations are out. I make it a point to greet each guest as they enter the venue and thank them for being there. I also feel like people want to know the basics when they arrive: “where do I put my things,” “where’s the bathroom,” and “where do I go next.” We had a steady flow into Oscar Swan for about 20 minutes. It was the perfect opportunity to mingle, sip a mimosa, and soak in the beauty. My aunt and I had prepared a mental “agenda” of how the event would go. Having a plan prior to the event is always smart hosting! I invited everyone to the high tea buffet, but let them know we had some exciting things up our sleeves. A milestone birthday needs some sort of tribute. After everyone had eaten, I gave an official birthday toast (How to Make a Perfect Toast blog coming soon). My aunt gave a brief talk about my mom from childhood to present. It was filled with sweet memories and humor. We concluded with a musical performance by my cousin. She sang “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Everyone was moved to tears.
- Relish & Relive: When hosting it is quite hard to just be in the moment, but I do intentionally try to relish the present. I made an effort to talk with each guest, watched my mom interact so lovingly with her family and friends, enjoyed the food & drinks, and took it all in. You spend so much time dreaming up the party, it can almost be a letdown for it to suddenly be over. That is why I have relish & relive as my final tip to a successful party. Pour over the photos everyone shared, talk about the party with your children, journal about it, or at the very least, share on social media.
Life is worth celebrating, I encouraged you to do it with those you hold close.
What other tips would you add to make a successful and impressionable party? I’d love to add it to my repertoire.
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