Planning a successful event takes more than just food and decorations. It requires forethought in areas like food options that consider guests' diets and preferences, creating comfortable and spaced seating areas for groups to mingle, and using consistent decorations and themes to make the space feel warm and inviting. With attention to these key areas of food, spacing, and decorations, even simple spaces can be transformed into perfect places to host fun gatherings.

1. What Goes Into a
Great Event?
Sherry Romello

2. • With the summer upon us, the weather practically
demands an outdoor celebration
• Whether looking for an excuse to gather friends, or
celebrating an occasion like a wedding or graduation,
planning a stellar event takes more than paper plates
and napkins
• Organizing a successful and fun event takes
forethought and more than a little talent
• Here are some helpful hints for throwing together your
next barn burner or shindig that work on any budget

3. Food
• When asked what matters most at a party, the
unanimous response is food
• Deciding the theme of your gathering will go far in
narrowing down your menu selection, and don’t be
afraid to ask your guests what they’d be interested in
having
• Using open communication as a great way to plan out
your spread, you can also easily plan to avoid food
any allergies, or at the very least accommodate those
with more specific diets

4. Spacing
• Think like a guest. What would you most want to do
at an event?
• Create space for groups to gather and mingle.
Groups naturally form during a gathering as visitors
become comfortable, and preparing for this gives
you the opportunity to create communal space
• Comfortable seating doesn’t have to be fancy, but it
allows you to loosely control where the crowds will
collect

5. Decorate
• Decorate the setting with uniformity
• Using a theme or color scheme is pleasing to
the eye, and by incorporating the
aforementioned nooks, you can embellish with
specific details that match your design
• Rather than present an open space, you’ve
created a warm and inviting area for your guests
to mingle and talk

6. • With very little effort, you can transform a simple
space into the perfect place to host an event
• Whether you’re transforming an apartment or
backyard, your next event will be in capable
hands by following these steps