How to Plan an Epic Surprise Party: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wondering how to plan a surprise party? Life is better when it’s full of parties, so don’t skimp on the details!

With Peerspace, you really can be the host with the most. Peerspace is in the business of making party dreams come true. With the tips on this blog, a variety of gorgeous venues, and awesome add-on options like drinks and catering, we’re here to help you take any party from basic to epic. Peerspace also happens to have the perfect space for whatever kind of event you’re planning.

We have perfect venues for a casual outdoor barbeque, an elegant engagement party, or a grand birthday bash. Also, when you book a Peerspace venue, you can call up the Concierge service for assistance. These events and logistics pros can source and deliver any party extras you need, like catering, entertainment, furnishings, and more.

Perhaps one of the trickiest parties to pull off is the surprise party. Every detail matters and not everyone may be up for the challenge. But when planned effectively, they can be one of the most memorable ways to celebrate any occasion. So if you’re looking for a way to spice up your next event, check out this step-by-step guide to planning an epic, stress-free surprise party.

1. Book a superb surprise venue on Peerspace

The first step to planning an amazing surprise party? Scoring a superb location! At Peerspace, that’s exactly what we help connect you with: amazing venues that suit your professional or personal needs.

Since you’ll want the party to be a complete surprise, it’s best to choose a location that doesn’t necessarily scream “party”. Just make sure the venue suits the honoree’s personality. Book a sophisticated spot if they love to dress up and get glamourous. Conversely, opt for a dive bar if they prefer casual atmospheres with cold drinks and dark corners.

Peerspace can help you find an unconventional venue like a store, home, gallery, warehouse, or even an outdoor garden. That way, when your unsuspecting guest arrives, they’ll be less likely to catch on to your scheming! Plus, you can rely on the Concierge service to set up delivery from local vendors for party necessities, like catering, furniture, and equipment. It’s the easiest way to take some of the stress out of party planning.

So, wondering how much it costs to rent a private party space on Peerspace?

2. Pick a personalized theme

The second step when you’re wondering how to plan a surprise party? Choose a theme based on the guest of honor’s favorite movies, books, or TV shows. A theme could even be as simple as a color scheme featuring a few of their favorite hues. T

his theme or color palette will help inform your choices for the venue, invitations, tableware, decorations, music, food, and activities. Do your research thoroughly, though, because you won’t get to ask the party honoree for any input!

Does the guest of honor love the wild, wild west? Then you may just want to throw a surprise party using our awesome western theme party ideas, partner!

3. Send out sneaky invites

The worst thing that could happen after you put a lot of work into researching how to plan a surprise party? The guest of honor figuring it out! After all, there’s nothing worse than a spoiled surprise, so keep your invites on the down low!

Disguise your true intentions with code words and make sure all of your co-conspirators know the secret lingo. You can design and order your own clever invitations from scratch all on Canva. If graphic design isn’t your forte, resources like Minted offer an array of customizable invitations to suit any style.

Or, if physical invitations are too risky, keep it digital with email e-vites or a cleverly-named private Facebook event. Include the time, date, venue, dress code, RSVP contact information, and any other relevant details. Lastly, remember to make it extra clear that it is a SURPRISE party so that no one accidentally lets the cat out of the bag!

4. Have a strong alibi

In order to keep your party secret safe throughout the planning process, you’ll need an excuse to mask what you’re REALLY working on. Your chosen Peerspace venue can even become a part of your alibi. For example, if it is a theater or other artsy space, you can invent an exciting new fake project, like you’re hosting a screening or an opening exhibit.

You may also want to have a fake party plan that is totally different from your actual plan and on a random day. This is especially helpful if the surprise party is for a birthday.

In general, the key to keeping the surprise party a secret is making sure everyone is on the same page. Consider hosting a meeting early on with everyone involved in the planning process. Create a secret group chat where you can discuss all of the logistics without the guest of honor’s presence.

5. Add a sweet finishing touch

No matter what you are celebrating, no party is complete without something sweet!  If you want to get extra fancy, you can set up a dessert station with a selection of different small bites such as colorful candies, custom cookies, macarons, cakesicles, cake-pops, whoopie pies, petit fours, and cupcakes. 

Display all your goodies with colorful jars, cake stands, platters, and trays, and top it off with a tablecloth, banners, and centerpieces that match your party theme. Pinterest is an endless source of inspiration for an aesthetically pleasing dessert table. Donut walls are also a popular, fun alternative to cake! You can order a pre-made pegboard on Etsy, or do it yourself with some supplies from your local hardware and craft stores.

6. Order catering for food and drinks

Let’s be honest, most parties revolve around the food. So put some thought into your sustenance! Order from their favorite restaurant, set up a taco bar, or select a Peerspace venue with catering options to simplify the planning process. You can also book a private bartending service for cocktails and/or mocktails, or set up a cooler with fun bottled drink options like sparkling water, margaritas, and old-fashioned sodas.

When you book a venue on Peerspace, don’t forget you can also consult the Concierge service. These event pros can source the best local catering and even lighting and audio equipment. Your party will be a roaring success without putting too much on your shoulders to pull it off.

7. Turn up the music

Every party needs a soundtrack. Hire a DJ, book a band on Gigsalad or The Bash, or simply curate a killer playlist based on the guest of honor’s favorite songs.

If you’re booking a Peerspace venue, you can find a place with all of the audio equipment you need. Plus, the Concierge service can hire a band or DJ, which means you don’t have to worry about searching endlessly on other platforms. Be sure to time your music so that a memorable song starts as soon as the guest of honor walks in!

8. Time to decorate

Remember the theme you chose in step two? Now it’s time to find the decorations to match! Get creative with tissue paper and confetti, rent thematic props, thrift for unique pieces, and order flower walls and neon signs. Or, you can keep it simple with minimalistic balloons and centerpieces for every table.

Many of the venues on Peerspace are already Instagram-worthy, as you can see from the images throughout this article, so you may even be able to skip this step entirely!

Considering taking your surprise party poolside? Then you need to read our epic pool party ideas for adults next!

9. Scope out hiding spots

This is the biggest moment you must plan for is when you’re researching how to plan a surprise party. Make sure the venue has plenty of places for guests to hide for the big reveal! Familiarize yourself with the furniture pieces in your venue before you book it, or rent some if necessary.

Again, this is something the Concierge service can assist you with if need be. After all, it’s all about having the perfect setup to surprise the guest of honor!

10. Hide your supplies

Ask a friend if you can store all of the food, decorations, and other party supplies at their home to prevent the guest of honor from getting suspicious.

If you’re celebrating at a Peerspace venue, contact the host. They may be able to let you access the space early and hide the necessary items before the party starts. This is a simple but important step that can make or break your surprise.

11. Hire a videographer

You booked an incredible venue, have killer entertainment, and their friends are ready and waiting. Now comes the most important part: watching the guest of honor’s face when they realize they’re walking into their own surprise party! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so be sure a videographer is on hand to tape every sweet, sweet moment of it! You can all relive it whenever you need a good laugh. Oh, and of course, you can post it to social media for the whole world to enjoy!

Sure, we all have phones that can take okay videos, but being in charge of recording your event means you’re not free to enjoy it. Do yourself a favor, and hire a pro. Remember, if you book a Peerspace venue for the surprise party, the Concierge service can take charge of sending over a vetted professional videographer.

Bonus: Host the party at a warehouse

This one may sound a little strange at first. A party at a warehouse? But hear us out! Warehouses across the country have become event and production hotspots. People have bought old, rundown warehouses and converted them into safe and beautiful spaces ideal for parties.

While most still retain touches of their industrial past, they’ve also been updated to include features like kitchens, lounges, bars, special lighting, and more. And of course, warehouses are spacious and set away from residential neighborhoods, making them ideal for parties if you plan on hiring a DJ and getting your dance on!

Most warehouses are in the industrial part of your town, so escorting the surprise party guest of honor to your chosen warehouse will definitely help you keep the rousing up. To learn where and how to plan a surprise party at a warehouse for a day, check out this article.

Peerspace makes surprise parties unforgettable

Pulling off a surprise party is tricky, but 100% possible. But with these tips and a stunning Peerspace venue, you’ll never go wrong! Follow these steps when you’re researching how to plan a surprise party, and your epic surprise celebration will go off without a hitch.

And be sure to reach out to the Concierge service for any add-ons you may want or for more surprise party planning inspiration. The guest of honor will never see it coming and you will all have a blast!

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