Everything You Need on Your Party Planning Checklist

Whether you’re throwing a family-friendly graduation party or an all-night wrap party at the end of a film or stage production, we at Peerspace have put together this party planning checklist to make sure you’ve got all of the venue, entertainment, and catering options you need. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we strive to make it easy to plan any type of gathering.

We all know that planning a party can be a lot of fun — or a lot of work, depending on how you go about it. Some of the best parties are planned months in advance, but there’s nothing wrong with a last-minute shindig to celebrate a job promotion or the end of a stressful semester of college. No matter your party type or planning style, our part planning checklist is sure to help you out. Let’s get to it!

1. Find a date and time

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to plan your party a month in advance, that way, you can give your guests plenty of time to mark it on their calendars. Also, look ahead to make sure there aren’t any conflicting events or holidays around the same time frame. Some parties will come with an obvious date attached, such as a graduation party, but others will be more flexible.

Decide whether you want to throw a daytime or evening party, and figure out how late you want it to go. The longer the party, the more food and entertainment you should plan to provide. Try to determine this before you move on to the next step in the party planning checklist.

2. Choose an unforgettable location

Now that you’ve selected the date and time, it’s time to look for a place to host your party. Get out of the house and book a special venue using Peerspace. Peerspace offers you access to a variety of locations available in cities across the globe. All venues can be rented by the hour from local hosts who can help you plan aspects of your party if you like.

So what types of spaces are out there?

Here are some of our favorite party venues available to book through Peerspace:

• This rooftop event space with skyline views in Miami, FL (pictured above)
• This hidden speakeasy in Brooklyn, NYC with amazing vibes and boutique service
• This backyard paradise in Pearland, TX with a saltwater pool and a large palapa
• This exquisite castle event space in Westchester, NY with a swimming pool and billiards table
• This newly renovated minimalist plant shop in Campbell, CA that needs zero added decor

As you can see, Peerspace makes it easy to book party venues that can suit any party style. Finding a unique location takes a little of the pressure off your shoulders to decorate or pick a theme. It can also give you some inspiration for party games, entertainment, and costumes. Discovering the perfect venue to bring your gathering to life is our favorite item on this party planning checklist!

Looking for venues that are chic and welcoming? Then you need to see our guide on what’s like an Airbnb for baby showers for inspiration!

3. Spread the word

Depending on the type of party you’re hosting, you can either have a guest list or send out an open invitation. What’s the difference? A guest list is great for small, intimate gatherings, such as a bridal shower or engagement party. You’ll want to know everyone who’s coming, that way, you can keep it personal and have an accurate headcount.

An open invite is more suitable for a neighborhood block party or an album release. You’ll want to spread the word far and wide, as well as invite people you don’t already know. You might even sell tickets if the event is open to the general public.

The middle ground is to only invite friends, but let them know they can bring another friend or two. This is a good option for house parties, in which you want enough people to show up to make it a fun time, but you don’t want a bunch of strangers making a mess of the place.

4. Book a caterer and entertainment

Most people associate catering with weddings and formal events, but you can hire a caterer for a small- to mid-sized party as well. Plenty of caterers offer party packages, such as a backyard barbecue or even a dessert bar. If you’re renting a Peerspace venue, ask your host if they have any catering recommendations. Some locations may be able to provide licensed bar staff.

Don’t forget to consider other entertainment options as well. Renting a photo booth can be fun, but hiring a professional photographer who can roam around the party getting candid shots of your guests is even better. This is a good idea if your party is related to an art or business project, as you can use the shots to advertise your product, brand, or company.

5. Rent A/V gear and other equipment

Other entertainment options include hiring a DJ or magician. If your party will have live music or video projections, make sure your venue is suitable for it. Some Peerspace locations have A/V equipment available on-site, but you may need to go to a rental house for additional gear.

Likewise, make sure there are enough restroom facilities and seating options at your location. Find out whether your venue is wheelchair accessible, and if there are easy parking and public transportation options nearby. You don’t want to spread the word about your party only to learn that your venue can’t accommodate so many guests.

6. Arrange last-minute preparations and decor

As the event grows closer, send out a reminder to all of your guests about the party and confirm all of your RSVPs. Give your caterer an accurate headcount and put in any special orders for food or drink, such as a birthday cake or keg of beer.

If you’re able to decorate the venue early, that’s great. If you won’t have access to the location until the day of the event, that’s fine, too. Just be sure to purchase anything you need, and have it all packed up and ready to go. This includes extra extension cords for sound and lighting equipment, tape for hanging posters, as well as party favors, and a Spotify playlist.

Speaking of decor, check out these pretty brunch party decoration ideas to make your party space fabulous!

7. Greet your event staff and get everyone in place

For ticketed events, such as a book launch or wine tasting, we recommend having a few hired crew members or volunteers on hand to help run things behind the scenes. Station someone at the door to greet your guests, scan tickets, and provide a coat check. If you have any VIPs or performers, set aside a “green room” where they can hang out away from the crowds.

Some parties may have additional steps on the party planning checklist, such as coming up with a schedule of performances or throwing a raffle. The important thing is to be flexible. If anything comes up that’s out of your control — from inclement weather to a noise complaint — do your best to roll with it and make sure everyone is having a good time anyway.

While no one wants a good party to come to an end, honor the agreement you made with your host and stick to your schedule. Leave yourself plenty of time to pack up your gear, clean up the space, and return your venue to the condition you found it. Suggest a nearby bar where your guests can go if they want to continue the party elsewhere.

Party planning checklist: conclusion

We hope this guide has you looking forward to planning your next epic gathering! If you’ve followed all of the steps on our party planning checklist, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a successful party for any kind of celebration you have in mind.

Start by browsing Peerspace for the perfect party location. Find a venue that has the perfect style and that offers the amenities you prefer. Then, talk to the host if you have any questions or requests. With all the pieces in place, a fabulous party is guaranteed!

Find unique party venues on Peerspace