How to Plan a Party: Our Guides from Birthdays to Weddings

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Every celebration — a birthday, a milestone, a hen party or an office party — rests on three things: a thoughtful plan, warm people and a few details that make the day special. This guide brings together all our party-planning articles, from invitations and dress codes to games, decor and flowers. Pick your occasion and plan without the rush.

More on this topic: how to celebrate a birthday, milestone birthday party, office party games.

Birthdays and milestones

Start with the overall plan and timeline in how to celebrate a birthday: plan, checklist and 30 ideas. For a round number there is a separate guide, how to celebrate a 50th, 60th or 70th, with a running order and games for all ages.

Want to surprise someone? Here is how to plan a surprise party and keep the secret. For ready-made guest messages, see birthday invitation wording.

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Children’s parties

For the littlest ones, see first birthday party ideas with first-birthday traditions. For preschoolers and school kids, read kids’ birthday party at home: guest numbers, schedule and food.

And to keep everyone busy, use the games in kids’ party games — 24 ideas for indoors and outdoors, for ages 3–5 and 10–12.

Weddings, couples and parents-to-be

Before the wedding you will need wedding invitations with the right timing and wording, while the bride’s friends plan the hen party. For what guests should wear, see dress codes explained.

For couples expecting a baby, there is the gender reveal party to learn the sex and a baby shower closer to the due date. For a date for two, try a sunset romantic picnic.

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Seasonal parties and decor

For New Year and winter office parties, see office party games. In autumn, try DIY Halloween costumes and ideas for a party at home.

You can build a photo backdrop for any party in an hour — see DIY balloon arch.

A checklist for any party

• Occasion, format and budget
• Guest list and venue
• Invitations and dress code
• Running order: welcome, food, fun, cake
• Menu that allows for allergies and children
• Decor: balloons, flowers, lighting, photo corner
• Games
• Someone to take photos and video
• Taxis or transport for guests

Flowers: the easiest way to make it festive

Flowers on the table, balloons on the ceiling and your favourite music turn even an ordinary dinner into a party. And if you are a guest, flowers for the hosts are a universal gift for any occasion.

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See birthday flowers and balloons.

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FAQ

Where do you start planning a party?

With the format and budget: they decide the venue, the guest list and the programme.

How far ahead should you start?

Two to three weeks for a home party; one to two months or more for a milestone or a wedding.

How can you throw a party on a small budget?

Celebrate at home or outdoors, ask guests to bring a dish, make your own decorations and choose free games.

How do you make a party special?

Add one personal touch: a video message, old photos, a favourite song or the guest of honour’s favourite flowers.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.