Southern Events Extras
Planning Party
Tips During Event
Tips During Event
- Decide on a theme
- Make a guest list
- Make and send invitations
(Paper or Electronic)
- Plan the menu (Cook or Cater)
- Check with vendor to see if insured if hiring a caterer
- Recruit or Hire Help to assist
- Delegate what you can to trusted help
- Purchase disposable linens or rent them
- Purchase or Make Decorations
(Plenty in Advance)
- Make a Music Playlist
- Decide Your Table and Chair Layout
- Shop for Food or Place Order for Food & Drinks
- Follow Up with Guests in advance
- Make a Check off list so you don’t forget anything
- Rest Up & Follow up on any helpers, orders etc…
- Send one last reminder to everyone the day before the event
Tips During Event
Tips During Event
Tips During Event
- Decorate & Set Up Food
- Create an area for personal items to be kept safe at party
- If receiving gifts, establish an area for the gifts
- If receiving gifts, put someone in charge of them
- If receiving gifts, ask someone to document who gave what
- Greet your guests - let them know where bathrooms are
- Mingle at event with everyone - thank them for coming
- Announce basic house rules at the event to keep everyone safe
- Enjoy yourself and take lots of pictures
- Establish a clean up crew
- Announce the closing time about 30 minutes before wrapping it up
- Clean Up the Event Center & take all trash out to dumpster
- Do one last walk through, turn off all of the lights
Gift Etiquette
Tips During Event
Cocktail Party Gift Etiquette Do:
- Bring a gift that they can use at a future party.
- Give something that they can use at this party.
- Wrap up a gag gift if it's your personality to do so, but don't be offensive.
Don't Give a gift that requires a lot of attention.
Dinner Party Gift Etiquette Do:
- Give a gift that will be useful for the meal or that can can help them prepare future meals.
- Give them something fun to keep guests busy.
- Ask the host if she needs anything for the evening.
Don't give scented items that need to be used that night or items that must be consumed right away
Informal Place Setting
Formal Place Setting
Types of Parties
Party Etiquette
- Come to the table with freshly washed hands.
- Keep your napkin in your lap and use it to wipe your face and hands when needed.
- Stay in your seat (with your bottom on the seat) and sitting straight up.
- Wait to start eating until everyone is served (unless your parents tell you it’s okay to start before everyone else).
- Ask nicely for food to be passed to you instead of reaching over people.
- Say “please” and “thank you.”
- Don’t chew loudly, burp, or make other rude noises.
- Never make rude comments about the food.
- Chew with your mouth closed.
- Don’t talk with your mouth full.
- When you’re finished eating, ask to be excused.
- When you are excused from the table, thank the person who made the meal.
- You can also compliment guests on anything you like about them.
- Offer to help clean up.
Ideas on How Much Food to Fix?
Don't let party planning overwhelm you!
At Southern Events we don't do the party for you we just provide the space. However, that doesn't mean we don't want to help! We have a few things to share that might help your planning go a little easier.. On the right you will see some recommendations for serving portions at your gatherings. But don't forget we are in the south and traditionally, a little extra won't hurt!
Below there is a link to a FREE 40 page party planning guide. You can use some or all of these sheets that help you create checkoff lists, guest lists and more!
Feel free to download and use these tools to help you plan your event with ease.
Need more help? Let us know.
Drop us an email and we will reach out as soon as we can!
Suggested Times for Party Types
Party Types
Young Children (Under 5): 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Schedule around nap times to prevent meltdowns
- Mornings often have better energy levels for young children
- Allows parents to have the rest of their day free
School-Age Children: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Perfect length for maintaining attention spans
- Allows for a manageable party duration
- Children tend to get restless in longer parties
Teen Birthday Parties: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Perfect timing for after-school celebrations
- Allows for activities, food, and socializing
- Early enough to end at a reasonable hour on school nights
- Can extend slightly later on weekends, but that is mostly for special guests
After-School Events: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ensures children have enough time to enjoy the party without staying out too late on a school night.
Lunch Networking: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Perfect for busy professionals who can’t commit to evening events.
Formal Corporate Dinners: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Early enough start for a full dinner service
- Provides time for speeches and presentations
- Accommodates structured networking before or after dinner
- Ends at a reasonable hour for professionals with early morning commitments
After-Work Happy Hours: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Ideal timing for work-life balance, allowing people to network and still get home at a reasonable hour.
Weeknight Adult Parties: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
This timing allows guests to:
- Finish their workday
- Handle evening family responsibilities
- Either eat dinner before arriving or come directly from work
- Get home at a reasonable hour for the next workday
Weekend Adult Parties: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Weekends allow for slightly later start times since guests don’t have work the next day.
House Parties & Casual Gatherings: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (weekends)
- Later start allows guests to have dinner beforehand
- Provides ample time for drinks, conversation, and dancing
- Weekend timing means guests can stay later without workday concerns