Often your home just isn't big enough when planning a party.
Whether it's a sweet sixteenth, twenty-first, engagement, anniversary or graduation, you may need more room to accommodate all the people who want to celebrate with you.
Before you even start looking at party venues in your area, it's imperative you put your budget together.
The budget should include the party venue hire, catering and decorating, maybe some invitations too.
Ensure you work out so that you get an idea that how much each item costs and then match it to your overall budget.
With your budget in mind, you need to look at your guest list.
Are you inviting fifty people? A hundred? More? Remember any party venue you choose is enough to accommodate the number of guests you want to invite.
If you're inviting five hundred people, you can't hold your function at a restaurant or bar, you will have to consider a reception hall big enough to cater for that many people.
Go online and search for available venues in your area.
There are some things you want to make sure before you head out to visit them.
Firstly it is within easy travelling distance for you and your guests.
They get easily accessible from public transport and finally, they are able to manage your rather large guest list.
Rather consider a hall that is too big than too small, you can always work with big, adding some sofas around the sides to fill up the space, but too small is impossible to work with.
When you've found a few party venues, ideally three at least, then you want to arrange to visit each one.
Don't book online.
Take the time to go to each hall individually and see what they have to offer in terms of accessibility, lighting, sound and space.
Imagine where you will put everything, how you will decorate the space and how comfortable all your guests will be in the space.
Once you've chosen a party venue and you feel it is the ideal match and they have the date you want available, pay the deposit.
You may have to sign a contract, always ask about cancellation policies, if something happens outside your control and you have to cancel the event.
Now with your deposit paid and venue arranged, it's time to send out some invitations.
Depending on the type of function you are holding, you may want to post out invites or you may want to email them.
This is down to you, your personal choice and how you enjoy doing things.
Emailing is less formal, but does bear the risk that some people won't realize they should RSVP and just arrive unannounced.
When you know the average numbers you may want to arrange your caterers.
You should always book you caterers with time to spare, giving you time to go through the options, prices and if necessary, put a menu together.
Check with the party venue to see when you and the caterers can gain access before the event.
You will want to decorate the hall based on your chosen theme and your caterers may want to set up well before hand.
If you're arranged table and chair, you will want to make sure they can gain access to deliver everything you need.
These are all important points to be discussed with the party venue in advance to avoid any unwelcome delays and added stress right before the event.
With everything planned and the hall decorated and ready, it's time to get ready and enjoy all your hard work.