Reply to Ever plan a big party you really regret?

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[quote=Anonymous]I used to work in the event business and let me tell you, the budget is the MOST IMPORTANT THING. If you’re over budget, you won’t enjoy the event no matter how magical you are. By budget I mean your “real” budget. That’s the point you are uncomfortable. If your working budget is more than that, BRING IT DOWN. If you working budget is less than that, you can probably bust it a few times and be okay.

So, your event costs have gotten out of control. STOP GOING ALONG. Nobody involved is going to bring the budget down except you. NOBODY. All that matters is what is in your contract(s). It’s better to eat the penalty of canceling something than to pay more than you comfortably can. Your guests have not been in on the planning. They will not know what has been cut. They will not care. They will be fine even if you cancel the party.

If you’re cutting back, here would be my personal priority list:

1) Comfortable seating for everyone but especially older/pregnant/sick/child people. That means a reasonable hot/cold level, shade, and a sturdy chair with a back. If you’re having a standing cocktail hour on a patio, you need chairs in the shade for idk, 20-50% of the guests depending on their age range. Hot/cold/painful people aren’t happy guests no matter what else is going on.

2) plenty of nourishing food. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to be nourishing and available.

3) good lighting. Not extravagant but comfortable. Most venues will have this built in but if you’re doing a tent or something I would prioritize it.

4) music

5) booze

6) else - flowers cake blah blah

Take this list or your own version and cut from the bottom until you’re in budget.

If you have to, cancel the event. It will be okay. Better to eat the cancellation fees.

I didn’t put a coordinator on here because depending on the party, the venue and the caterer you might not need one. But if you do need one it’s important I just can’t put it on my list without more specifics. [/quote]

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