Getting The Most Bang Out Of Your Party Planning Buck

Throwing a party can be such a fun adventure. You envision a room filled with happy, smiling guests all complimenting you on the food and the drinks. The only thing standing between you and making that fantasy a reality is your budget.
You may be having champagne dreams while your bank account can only shoulder soft drink essentials. There are ways to incorporate any budget into your event planning and still come out with a party to be proud of.
One of the first tricks to cut cost may be in the time of day you have your event. If you are hosting something like a birthday party or a wedding or baby shower, choosing to have it in the early afternoon has many benefits when it comes to your pocketbook. While you are in the event planning stage, consider the difference in cost when you are only supplying light beverages and small snacks as opposed to a full bar and an entire dinner. The money saved would be noticeable.
Most people don't indulge in alcoholic beverages in the early afternoon, so you could instead serve a punch or coffee or iced tea. This is very refreshing and along with some small snacks and perhaps a tray of assorted sweet tooth delights, you've offered your guests refreshment without the added cost that an event later in the day requires.
Another consideration when event planning is whether or not you need the services of a caterer. Caterers can be invaluable, especially when you are hosting an event of a significant size. If however, your guest list isn't as vast, doing much of the menu planning and cooking yourself can save more than a few pennies.
Perhaps the best money saving technique when it comes to the area of food is to host a potluck event. This idea can be included as part of your event planning process. You plan the party or gathering based on the idea that every guest will supply an item of food or drink. Some many bring a main course or a salad while others will bring a bottle of wine. Once everyone has arrived there is an enormous amount of different food to sample. This is a great way to include the guests in the party planning process and they feel good knowing they've contributed.
Food isn't the only area that you can scrimp and save in. If you are hosting a children's birthday party you can ask a friend or relative to dress up as a clown instead of hiring a clown. There are many adults who love to interact with children and the only payment they'd expect would be a room full of young smiles and a slice of birthday cake. Decorations also don't have to break your budget. If you're hosting a garden party, you can create beautiful, soft lighting by hanging the white lights that normally adorn your holiday tree around your garden. Your guests won't be the wiser, but you will for having opted not to invest in a new set of lights you probably will never use again.
Careful thought while you are event planning can save you money and let you enjoy your party without fretting about finances.