Party planning is no small feat. From choosing a venue and creating a guest list to planning the menu and decorations—there’s a lot to consider. It’s no wonder many people choose to hire a party planner. But if you’re up for the challenge and want to take the reins yourself, you absolutely can. Planning it on your own ensures every detail reflects your vision.

The most memorable parties are those that are thoughtfully organized. If you want your event to succeed, careful planning is vital. To help your gathering go off without a hitch, here are some essential tasks to check off your to-do list:

Set the Date and Time

Pick a date and time that works best for you and your guests. But remember, any holidays or conflicting events are a no-go.

Choose a Theme

You don’t have to have a themed party, but if you decide to, now is an excellent time to brainstorm some ideas that match the occasion. Think a naughty and nice bachelorette party, an enchanted garden tea party, or a casual, laidback game night.

Create Your Guest List

Next, decide who you want to invite and make a guest list. When determining the number of guests, consider your budget, the room capacity, and the type of party you’re planning to get a clear idea of how many people you can accommodate.

Send Out Invitations

Now, you can send out your invitations. But before you do, ensure they include all the important details—i.e., date, time, location, and RSVP info. If you have other special instructions like dress code or parking, you can add that to the invite, too.

Plan Your Menu

Good food can have people dancing even without music. So, when planning your menu, try to have a nice mix of food options for everyone to enjoy. If you aren’t sure what to buy, here are some popular party foods to consider:

• Cheeseburger sliders
• Chicken wings
• Charcuterie boards
• Vegetable crudité with dip
• Cocktail meatballs
• Chips and dip
• Deviled eggs
• Caprese skewers

Arrange Entertainment

You can’t have a party without some entertainment. This could include music, games, or any other interactive element your guests would like.

If you don’t want to do any of that, you could try hiring a live performer, such as a DJ, comedian, or your favorite musician.

Shop for Party Supplies

Once you’ve finalized the entertainment, it’s time to start shopping for the big day. It’s easy to overspend when preparing for a party, so be sure to have a clear list of what you need to keep your budget in check.

Here are some party supplies to shop for:

• Plates/bowls
• Cups
• Utensils
• Napkins
• Tablecloths or table runners
• Ice buckets or coolers
• Trash bags
• Serving utensils
• Food serving platters and bowls
• Chafing Dishes or food warmers
• Decorations (i.e., party hats, streamers, balloons, etc.)

Decorate Your Space

Decorating your space is one of the more fun parts of party planning—so you can get really creative here.

Be sure to set up decorations that match your theme, or if you don’t have one, try to create a lively atmosphere via banners, balloons, or even table centerpieces. Remember, the goal is for your guests to have fun, so you want to create a vibe that promotes that.

Prepare What You Can

At this point, you’re almost done with planning, and sooner than later, you’ll be on your way to enjoying your party. But there are still more things you can prepare for the party. And when it comes to party planning, the more you prep, the better.

This is a great time to prepare food that can be made in advance. And be sure to set up any decorations, seating arrangements, or entertainment areas beforehand, too.

Send Thank-You Notes

Depending on your party, it may be a good idea to send a short note to your guests, thanking them for coming. You can send the note via email, mail, or even text. And if you received any gifts, reference them in your note to make each ‘thank you’ a little more personal.