The most important thing to think about (possibly without even knowing it) when we are having an event is the "WHY".
Most people worry about the budget before they know why they are throwing the event! You should always know the why and then worry about the how later.
The reason for this is simple.
If it is important enough you will find a way to accomplish it! It doesn't matter the cost - you will get investors, raise funds, people will chip in, etc.
Why DO people have events? To Celebrate, To Appreciate, To Recognize, To Grow, To Make a Statement, To Raise Funds.
What makes each event special is the reason you are throwing the event.
When choosing the theme/decor we usually take into account the reason for the event.
It obviously has to be appropriate.
Then we think of the food, drinks, entertainment etc.
Sometimes we are the person throwing the event, sometimes it is a committee, and sometimes we hire a planner.
Either way we all want our events to be a great success.
So how do we make an event a successful one?

• First, determine what you are trying to accomplish.
  
• Compile a committee or assistants (who will take care of the details- i.
  e.
  R.
  S.
  V.
  P.
  's)
• Be aware of your time constraints - Sometimes it is hard for people to gauge the amount of time it takes to put together an event.
  You have to consider the rental, catering, venue and attendees availability.
  
• Compile an invitee list
• Decide on at least 3-5 venues and request pricing
• Decide on Food and Drinks (will this be a sit down dinner or a cocktail hour)
• BUDGET! The Dreaded Budget I KNOW!! o Talk to everyone you know and see what they can pitch in before your chip away at your budget.
  
• Get the best for your budget by shopping around - Ask for discounts, you may just get them.
  
• Be clear on what you will spend for each category (i.
  e.
  , food, drinks, entertainment)
• Be aware of what the ACTUAL cost is before you set the budget - How many bottles of wine do you need? How many glasses are in each bottle? Etc.
  
• Reserve - Reserve the vendors you plan on using.
  
• Implement - Time to send out the invitations.
  
• Have a system to track vendors, names of who you spoke with and notes of each conversation as reference.
  
• Designate people for the day of the event to make sure vendors show up and are on time, decorations have been completed at least 1 hour before start time.
  

There is so much to planning an event and the chance that you know someone who is celebrating, recognizing, raising money for a charity is huge! That is why professional event planners exist and we can do it full time! If you take the time to look at all there is to do it may be a no brainer to hire someone and it may not be as expensive as you think.
Decide on what your time is worth.
Do you have enough time to spare to call vendors to compare prices and negotiate?