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Figuring Out Your Party/Special Event Budget

 

When it comes to working out your party budget the first thing you must ask yourself is how MUCH can you spend? Sounds simple enough, right? As long as you can give a definite answer as to how much you can spend, then you can always go back and tweak the budgeting costs as you plan your party.

Let's Go Over a Party Planning Scenario

Let's say you are planning your son's 16th birthday party and you know darn well you cannot go over $5,000 dollars, BUT you are willing to spend UP to $5,000 dollars. Then that is your maximum spending allowance.

Start from the most important aspects of your party

First figure out what aspects of your event are the MOST important. For example, the party location, the date, and the time of day.

We recommend that you create a budget checklist. You can simply highlight the most important parts of your party on the checklist. You'll want to make an estimated column and an actual cost column on your checklist.

This is Just a Small Example:

 

Budget Sheet          |  Estimated Costs   |  Actual Costs

Party Site Location

Fee to rent $_____

 

Food and Beverages

Champagne and Wine $_____

Food Menus $_____

Cake $_____

Party Decor

Centerpieces $____

Floral Design $____

Linens - Chair covers, napkins & napkin holders $____

 

 

Party Rentals

Tables $____

Chairs $____

Silverware $____

Glassware $____

 

 

Entertainment

Dance band $____

DJ $____

Hiring other talent (comedian, etc.) $____

Staging $____

Lighting $____

Backdrop $____

 

Printed Materials

Invitations $____

Save-the-date mailings $____

places cards $____

Programs $____

Postage $____

Calligraphy $____

 

Other

Videographer $____

Photographer $____

Security Staff $____

Giveaways $____

Officiant $____
 

 

Also, make a mental note about adding in tax -- this way you won't be too surprised.

 

Need to Crunch Numbers?

 

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