Planning a party? Arranging your wedding? Helping with someone else’s? Whatever big celebration you’re organising, you’ll no doubt want to save as much as possible. After all, though they can be fun, large-scale events tend to be costly — unless you budget wisely, that is. For key tips on this, look no further than our simple guide.
Start early
What’s the main secret to effective budgeting? Ask any seasoned budgeter, and they’ll tell you that it’s starting early. Before you do anything else, set a spending limit for your event. This may sound like an obvious point to make, but you’d likely be surprised at how easy it is to overspend, particularly when organising big gatherings. However, with a fixed budget in mind, you’ll be better able to avoid this.
By planning far in advance, you’ll also have the opportunity to work out the best financial option for you. Whether you decide to find a funding solution or save the money gradually — this is up to you, but begin early, and you’ll have plenty of time to make the right decision.
Be your own DJ
Music is a key part of most events, but this doesn’t mean that you have to fork out for a DJ or a live band. You can just create a playlist, instead. Hop onto your preferred music streaming service and start building the perfect party album. The beauty of this method is that you have complete control over the music for your event, and better still, you’re able to cut costs hugely. So long as you have a reliable and powerful system, you can keep your guests entertained for hours. It really is that easy and cost-effective!
Supply your own food
Food tends to be a vital part of events — but invest in a caterer, and you may end up exceeding your budget. There is a cheaper option, however: be your own caterer. Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert chef to do this. There are plenty of online sources — such as BBC Good Food — that provide plenty of guidance on how to prepare and cook delicious meals for large parties. Buy your food from a low-cost supplier or supermarket, and you can reduce food costs even more. Head to one after 7pm, and you may be able to take advantage of further discounts, too.
Prioritise essentials
OK, so the majority of big events can hardly be described as fundamentally essential — but there are crucial aspects to them. If you’re wanting to create a lasting impression, for example, you’ll want to supply tasty, decent food and drink, as well as good entertainment. Factors like choosing one kind of placemat over another, on the other hand, is unlikely to make that much difference to your event.
That’s what we mean when we suggest that you prioritise the essential aspects of your upcoming function. Focus on what’s important, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to save money. Speaking of décor, though…
Shop second-hand
In search of affordable décor? Why not shop second-hand for it? You’ll have no doubt noticed that charity and vintage stores are very much en vogue — and their resurgence looks set to grow well into the future. This kind of shopping experience offers far more than just clothes. Go into practically any second-hand outlet, and you’ll likely find a whole host of party decorations. So, once you’ve covered essential costs, how about going vintage with your event design? You’re bound to find furnishing and favours that suit your tastes.
Whoever said that event planning has to be expensive? Once you know how, it’s easy to organise a big gathering on a low budget. What’s to stop you from throwing the party of a lifetime?