Guest Post: Ten ways to reduce event costs
10 Ways To Reduce Your Event Planning Costs
Hosting an event may be fun, but it’s also costly. Fortunately, there are effective ways to reduce event costs without impacting your image. All it takes is a bit of planning, as well as access to the right resources.
1. Use virtual floor plans
Instead of creating a general list of decorations, use virtual floor plan software that allows you to recreate the setting of the venue. With these tools, you can determine what decorations are conducive to the setting.
2. Choose a venue with complete packages
Instead of looking at the bottom number, make a chart that displays what each venue offers in their packages. Venues that include tableware, decorations and staff can be more cost-effective than renting tents, tables and chairs.
3. Be flexible with the date and time
If you’ve found the venue of your choice but it’s still too expensive, don’t think you need to settle for someplace else. Most venues have lower rates for mid-week or afternoon hours. And by choosing a Sunday, for example, you can serve light meals and no alcohol.
4. Shop for decorations online
With a bigger selection of products, online coupon codes, free shipping and options to buy in bulk, shopping online is a great way to save money, while still getting the same product.
5. Sign up for mailing lists and specials
Whether you step inside a party store or shop online for party supplies from PartyMart, there are options to sign up for mailing lists that send out store coupons and coupon codes. You can stay in the loop, while taking advantage of substantial discounts.
6. Shop out of season
Shopping out of season will require you to know what types of events are around the corner, but are a surefire way to save money. For example, you can expect black and orange gear to be on clearance after Halloween, and these products can be reused for other events.
7. Prepare food yourself
Although catering is the most obvious solution for food, it’s also the most costly. Even venues that have their own catering service will often allow hosts to bring in appetizers or desserts for guests.
8. Omit a full course meal
If you choose to host an event in the afternoon, you won’t need to provide a complete meal. Finger sandwiches and appetizers are appropriate and won’t leave your guests feeling hungry.
9. Barter
In today’s economy, people are more willing to help out the next person for something in exchange. For example, if you have a friend that DJs, trade him a night of free music for a free night of babysitting or help marketing his business.
10. Omit the bar
Instead of paying for the bar and bartenders, have a table set up with a selection of wines and champagnes for guests to choose from. Mixed cocktails will also save money. You can also return unopened alcohol if necessary.
The key to not going over your event planning budget is to prepare ahead of time. Follow these tips and you too can plan a superb event, for less!
Thank you Party Mart team for this submission. Website: PartyMart
2 Comments
Reader Comments (2)
i great site i came across which ties in nice with this blog is
www.eventplannersalary.org
you might want to check it out
You can also rent or buy your own stage lighting supplies and arrange an event somewhere without having to worry about finding a place that might be more than you need. You can definitely do some lighting and rigging yourself so why not try it!