It's My Fete and I'll Plan If I Want To...

It's

My Fete and

I'll

PLAN if I

Want T o ...

Mercedes Saintfleur

It's

My Fete and

I'll

PLAN if I

Want . . . o T

Mercedes Saintfleur

failure to plan is a plan to fail.

meet mercedes

IMPORTANT FACTOIDS

Addicted to Philadelphia Rolls, Hazelnut Coffee and Afrobeats

Certified Wedding & Event Planner, Certified Project Management Professional, FAA Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Mom.

HELLO THERE! Planning an event, huh?

By definition, you are intentionally making a decision about what you are going to do for your Event. But, where do you start making those decisions?

Your google searches for "online download for free event timeline templates" and Pinterest rummaging for planning hacks stops here! With this easy planning guide, you'll get tips, tricks and timelines for your upcoming Fete!

There's nothing like a spontaneous event full of whims, coincidences and surprises. However, I think of planning as 'event insurance' because we all know that failure to PLAN is a PLAN to fail! Happy Decisions!

YOURS TRULY, Mercedes Saintfleur EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FLEUR

from the editor

PLAN

CHECKLIST

EROFEB SKW 3

DECIDE YOUR THEME AND COLOR SCHEME CREATE YOUR GUEST LIST: INVITE 20% MORE THAN YOU CAN HOST SINCE SOME GUESTS WILL CANCEL SEND YOUR INVITATIONS ROUND UP THE TROOPS! YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, DJ, POST-PARTY CLEAN UP CREW, BARTENDER, GO-TO PERSON WHO KNOWS HOW TO COOK -THE MORE HELP YOU HAVE, THE FREE-ER YOUR HANDS ARE PLAN YOUR MENU: MAKE SELECTIONS, CREATE YOUR GROCERY LIST AND DECIDE ON A SIGNATURE DRINK

EROFEB KEEW 1

DECIDE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR DO YOUR BIG GROCERY SHOPPING: ITEMS FOR RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD, NON-PERISHABLES, BAR ITEMS, ETC. CREATE YOUR VISUALS (SLIDESHOW ANYONE?) AND MUSICAL PLAYLIST, STORE ON A RELIABLE SOURCE ORGANIZE YOUR FOOD MENU AND RECIPES SO YOU CAN SEASON YOUR FOOD & SCHEDULE YOUR MAKE-AHEAD DISHES ACCORDINGLY

STOCK THE BAR AND KITCHEN AREAS

2 DAYS BEFORE DAY BEFORE THE

PICK UP LAST MINUTE ESSENTIALS, INCLUDINGÂ ICE, CUPS AND CUTLERY DECORATE AND PLACE ALL EVENT SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT SPACE

CLEAN UP LIKE GOD & THE PRESIDENT ARE COMING OVER BUY AND ARRANGE FRESH FLOWERS, IF APPLICABLE

CHILL WHITE AND SPARKLING WINES, HAVE REDS READY FOR ICE STOCK UP BATHROOM AND DESIGNATE AREAS FOR COATS, SHOES AND BAGS, IF APPLICABLE LAY OUT YOUR OUTFIT, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES

COOK DAY-OF MENU SELECTIONS

IT'S

D - DAY

!

PREP AND DISPLAY BAR ACCOUTREMENTS

CHARGE YOUR PHONE AND CAMERA FOR EVENT COVERAGE SET OUT SNACKS, APPETIZERS AND GUESTBOOK, IF APPLICABLE GET DRESSED AND READY TO WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH YOUR CHARM CHECK IN WITH YOUR TROOPS AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS ON DUTY GREET YOUR GUESTS WITH A COOL BEVERAGE (OR HOT, IF IT'S COLD OUTSIDE) AND A WARM WELCOME ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR AND HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT NEARBY

NOW PUT IT ALL TOGETHER...

WHAT | Your Event Theme

WHERE | Your Event Location

WHEN | Your Event Date and Time

WHO | Your Invitees

FOOD SELECTIONS CATERING STYLE Plated, Buffet, Action Stations, Butler/Hand Service, Family-Style, Cocktail Pairings

YOUR FULLY STOCKED BAR 1 Red Wine 1 White Wine 1 Club Soda 1 Champagne 1 Non-Alcoholic Drink Option lemonade, soda, juice, cider, etc.

1 Bottle Opener / Corkscrew 1 Pretty Bowl of Pre-Cut Wedges, Cherries & Rounds of Lemons, Limes and Oranges 1 Small Ice Bucket With Tongs Whole Ice and Crushed Ice Bottled Water and/or A Pitcher of Filtered Water 8+ Coasters All Purpose Lowball and Highball Glasses Applicable Wine Glasses

TIPS & TRICKS Create A Spread For All Five Senses

COCKTAIL PAIRINGS

To Cater To Every Palette

Champagne & Burgers Gin and Tonic & Crab Cakes Godfather & Sausage with Sauteed Cassava Martini & Swedish Meatballs Sangria & Spring Rolls with Spicy Dipping Sauce White Wine Shandy & Samosas Bumblebee & Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Cucumber Mojito & Spicy Tuna Rolls

MUSIC

To Set The Mood

Stick to Complementary Genres Start The Party Off With Instrumentals and Gradually Introduce Selections With Lyrics Create A Playlist That Lasts Up To Two Hours Then Repeat Popular Songs for Guests That Arrived Late Juxtapose Old With New To Satisfy Every Preference Your Final Playlist Should Be Three to Four Hours Long

DECORATIONS

To Catch Every Eye

Lightly perfume the air by simmering fruits and spices on the stove (orange, cinnamon and cloves in Winter; lime, thyme and mint in Summer) or spritz your favorite scent throughout the space If your Event space Is tight, ditch formal dining and host a Buffet Equip the Guests' bathroom with a dish of mints, box of Tissues, plush hand towels, extra rolls of toilet paper, flowers/a candle, lotion and a chic bottle of liquid hand soap Coat a ceiling in balloons or hang at least 40 balloons to create an instant party setting Place 25-watt bulbs in overhead lights and all lamps to set a vibe Type up your food menu and appetizer labels on Microsoft Word, print from your computer, enclose in frames and place near food to enhance Guest experience Group items in groups of three: chairs, artwork, books, food displays -- it'll subtly encourage group conversation Group items according to their ilk category (i.e. all of the books on the bookshelf, organize mismatched dishes by color, etc.)

PLAN

CHECKLIST

EROFEB SKW 3

DECIDE YOUR THEME AND COLOR SCHEME CREATE YOUR GUEST LIST: INVITE 20% MORE THAN YOU CAN HOST SINCE SOME GUESTS WILL CANCEL SEND YOUR INVITATIONS ROUND UP THE TROOPS! YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, DJ, POST-PARTY CLEAN UP CREW, BARTENDER, GO-TO PERSON WHO KNOWS HOW TO COOK -THE MORE HELP YOU HAVE, THE FREE-ER YOUR HANDS ARE PLAN YOUR MENU: MAKE SELECTIONS, CREATE YOUR GROCERY LIST AND DECIDE ON A SIGNATURE DRINK

EROFEB KEEW 1

DECIDE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR DO YOUR BIG GROCERY SHOPPING: ITEMS FOR RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD, NON-PERISHABLES, BAR ITEMS, ETC. CREATE YOUR VISUALS (SLIDESHOW ANYONE?) AND MUSICAL PLAYLIST, STORE ON A RELIABLE SOURCE ORGANIZE YOUR FOOD MENU AND RECIPES SO YOU CAN SEASON YOUR FOOD & SCHEDULE YOUR MAKE-AHEAD DISHES ACCORDINGLY

STOCK THE BAR AND KITCHEN AREAS

2 DAYS BEFORE DAY BEFORE THE

PICK UP LAST MINUTE ESSENTIALS, INCLUDINGÂ ICE, CUPS AND CUTLERY DECORATE AND PLACE ALL EVENT SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT SPACE

CLEAN UP LIKE GOD & THE PRESIDENT ARE COMING OVER BUY AND ARRANGE FRESH FLOWERS, IF APPLICABLE

CHILL WHITE AND SPARKLING WINES, HAVE REDS READY FOR ICE STOCK UP BATHROOM AND DESIGNATE AREAS FOR COATS, SHOES AND BAGS, IF APPLICABLE LAY OUT YOUR OUTFIT, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES

COOK DAY-OF MENU SELECTIONS

IT'S

D - DAY

!

PREP AND DISPLAY BAR ACCOUTREMENTS

CHARGE YOUR PHONE AND CAMERA FOR EVENT COVERAGE SET OUT SNACKS, APPETIZERS AND GUESTBOOK, IF APPLICABLE GET DRESSED AND READY TO WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH YOUR CHARM CHECK IN WITH YOUR TROOPS AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS ON DUTY GREET YOUR GUESTS WITH A COOL BEVERAGE (OR HOT, IF IT'S COLD OUTSIDE) AND A WARM WELCOME ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR AND HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT NEARBY

NOW PUT IT ALL TOGETHER...

WHAT | Your Event Theme

WHERE | Your Event Location

WHEN | Your Event Date and Time

WHO | Your Invitees

FOOD SELECTIONS CATERING STYLE Plated, Buffet, Action Stations, Butler/Hand Service, Family-Style, Cocktail Pairings

YOUR FULLY STOCKED BAR 1 Red Wine 1 White Wine 1 Club Soda 1 Champagne 1 Non-Alcoholic Drink Option lemonade, soda, juice, cider, etc.

1 Bottle Opener / Corkscrew 1 Pretty Bowl of Pre-Cut Wedges, Cherries & Rounds of Lemons, Limes and Oranges 1 Small Ice Bucket With Tongs Whole Ice and Crushed Ice Bottled Water and/or A Pitcher of Filtered Water 8+ Coasters All Purpose Lowball and Highball Glasses Applicable Wine Glasses

TIPS & TRICKS Create A Spread For All Five Senses

COCKTAIL PAIRINGS

To Cater To Every Palette

Champagne & Burgers Gin and Tonic & Crab Cakes Godfather & Sausage with Sauteed Cassava Martini & Swedish Meatballs Sangria & Spring Rolls with Spicy Dipping Sauce White Wine Shandy & Samosas Bumblebee & Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Cucumber Mojito & Spicy Tuna Rolls

MUSIC

To Set The Mood

Stick to Complementary Genres Start The Party Off With Instrumentals and Gradually Introduce Selections With Lyrics Create A Playlist That Lasts Up To Two Hours Then Repeat Popular Songs for Guests That Arrived Late Juxtapose Old With New To Satisfy Every Preference Your Final Playlist Should Be Three to Four Hours Long

DECORATIONS

To Catch Every Eye

Lightly perfume the air by simmering fruits and spices on the stove (orange, cinnamon and cloves in Winter; lime, thyme and mint in Summer) or spritz your favorite scent throughout the space If your Event space Is tight, ditch formal dining and host a Buffet Equip the Guests' bathroom with a dish of mints, box of Tissues, plush hand towels, extra rolls of toilet paper, flowers/a candle, lotion and a chic bottle of liquid hand soap Coat a ceiling in balloons or hang at least 40 balloons to create an instant party setting Place 25-watt bulbs in overhead lights and all lamps to set a vibe Type up your food menu and appetizer labels on Microsoft Word, print from your computer, enclose in frames and place near food to enhance Guest experience Group items in groups of three: chairs, artwork, books, food displays -- it'll subtly encourage group conversation Group items according to their ilk category (i.e. all of the books on the bookshelf, organize mismatched dishes by color, etc.)

PLAN

CHECKLIST

EROFEB SKW 3

DECIDE YOUR THEME AND COLOR SCHEME CREATE YOUR GUEST LIST: INVITE 20% MORE THAN YOU CAN HOST SINCE SOME GUESTS WILL CANCEL SEND YOUR INVITATIONS ROUND UP THE TROOPS! YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, DJ, POST-PARTY CLEAN UP CREW, BARTENDER, GO-TO PERSON WHO KNOWS HOW TO COOK -THE MORE HELP YOU HAVE, THE FREE-ER YOUR HANDS ARE PLAN YOUR MENU: MAKE SELECTIONS, CREATE YOUR GROCERY LIST AND DECIDE ON A SIGNATURE DRINK

EROFEB KEEW 1

DECIDE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR DO YOUR BIG GROCERY SHOPPING: ITEMS FOR RECIPES YOU CAN MAKE AHEAD, NON-PERISHABLES, BAR ITEMS, ETC. CREATE YOUR VISUALS (SLIDESHOW ANYONE?) AND MUSICAL PLAYLIST, STORE ON A RELIABLE SOURCE ORGANIZE YOUR FOOD MENU AND RECIPES SO YOU CAN SEASON YOUR FOOD & SCHEDULE YOUR MAKE-AHEAD DISHES ACCORDINGLY

STOCK THE BAR AND KITCHEN AREAS

2 DAYS BEFORE DAY BEFORE THE

PICK UP LAST MINUTE ESSENTIALS, INCLUDINGÂ ICE, CUPS AND CUTLERY DECORATE AND PLACE ALL EVENT SIGNAGE THROUGHOUT SPACE

CLEAN UP LIKE GOD & THE PRESIDENT ARE COMING OVER BUY AND ARRANGE FRESH FLOWERS, IF APPLICABLE

CHILL WHITE AND SPARKLING WINES, HAVE REDS READY FOR ICE STOCK UP BATHROOM AND DESIGNATE AREAS FOR COATS, SHOES AND BAGS, IF APPLICABLE LAY OUT YOUR OUTFIT, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES

COOK DAY-OF MENU SELECTIONS

IT'S

D - DAY

!

PREP AND DISPLAY BAR ACCOUTREMENTS

CHARGE YOUR PHONE AND CAMERA FOR EVENT COVERAGE SET OUT SNACKS, APPETIZERS AND GUESTBOOK, IF APPLICABLE GET DRESSED AND READY TO WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH YOUR CHARM CHECK IN WITH YOUR TROOPS AND ENSURE EVERYONE IS ON DUTY GREET YOUR GUESTS WITH A COOL BEVERAGE (OR HOT, IF IT'S COLD OUTSIDE) AND A WARM WELCOME ENJOY THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR AND HAVE YOUR EMERGENCY KIT NEARBY

NOW PUT IT ALL TOGETHER...

WHAT | Your Event Theme

WHERE | Your Event Location

WHEN | Your Event Date and Time

WHO | Your Invitees

FOOD SELECTIONS CATERING STYLE Plated, Buffet, Action Stations, Butler/Hand Service, Family-Style, Cocktail Pairings

YOUR FULLY STOCKED BAR 1 Red Wine 1 White Wine 1 Club Soda 1 Champagne 1 Non-Alcoholic Drink Option lemonade, soda, juice, cider, etc.

1 Bottle Opener / Corkscrew 1 Pretty Bowl of Pre-Cut Wedges, Cherries & Rounds of Lemons, Limes and Oranges 1 Small Ice Bucket With Tongs Whole Ice and Crushed Ice Bottled Water and/or A Pitcher of Filtered Water 8+ Coasters All Purpose Lowball and Highball Glasses Applicable Wine Glasses

TIPS & TRICKS Create A Spread For All Five Senses

COCKTAIL PAIRINGS

To Cater To Every Palette

Champagne & Burgers Gin and Tonic & Crab Cakes Godfather & Sausage with Sauteed Cassava Martini & Swedish Meatballs Sangria & Spring Rolls with Spicy Dipping Sauce White Wine Shandy & Samosas Bumblebee & Pimento Cheese Sandwiches Cucumber Mojito & Spicy Tuna Rolls

MUSIC

To Set The Mood

Stick to Complementary Genres Start The Party Off With Instrumentals and Gradually Introduce Selections With Lyrics Create A Playlist That Lasts Up To Two Hours Then Repeat Popular Songs for Guests That Arrived Late Juxtapose Old With New To Satisfy Every Preference Your Final Playlist Should Be Three to Four Hours Long

DECORATIONS

To Catch Every Eye

Lightly perfume the air by simmering fruits and spices on the stove (orange, cinnamon and cloves in Winter; lime, thyme and mint in Summer) or spritz your favorite scent throughout the space If your Event space Is tight, ditch formal dining and host a Buffet Equip the Guests' bathroom with a dish of mints, box of Tissues, plush hand towels, extra rolls of toilet paper, flowers/a candle, lotion and a chic bottle of liquid hand soap Coat a ceiling in balloons or hang at least 40 balloons to create an instant party setting Place 25-watt bulbs in overhead lights and all lamps to set a vibe Type up your food menu and appetizer labels on Microsoft Word, print from your computer, enclose in frames and place near food to enhance Guest experience Group items in groups of three: chairs, artwork, books, food displays -- it'll subtly encourage group conversation Group items according to their ilk category (i.e. all of the books on the bookshelf, organize mismatched dishes by color, etc.)

Planning Products Available...

1

FLEUR A complete guide to easily navigate your Wedding Planning journey the FLEUR way! From timelines and checklists to negotiation strategies and planning hacks.

Feel the FLEUR difference...

3

2

It's My Fete and I'll Plan If I Want To...

This party planning guide makes whipping up your next social affair a BREEZE! Simple step-by-step prompts usher you from "throwing a party together" to "planning a great party".

PLANNING WITH PURPOSE Our PLANNING WITH PURPOSE collection is a series of planning tools anyone can use! Our planning toolbox includes budget worksheets, inquiries to ask select vendors, guestlist trackers, table seating charts and much more. Visit our BLOOM store online for all the planning tools you need for any and every celebration Life awards.

FleurOccasions.com

A SPECIAL THANK YOU...

To YOU! Thank you for not only trusting us enough to build your event on our advice, but for viewing us as Industry Professionals with enough experience to 'advise' anyone in the first place.

We've spent years building our knowledge on planning events and executing projects, but use this party planning guide as just that -- a guide. Find ways to incorporate your personal style, preferences and the type of party you want your Guests to enjoy.

For more ideas on how to make your Event BLOOM, check out our articles and videos at FleurOccasions.com/Blog

Happy Planning!