Planning your 21st birthday is super exciting, but it can also be super stressful. Never fear – by taking note of a few event planner insider tips, you'll be on your way to throwing the best (and least stressful)21st birthday partygoing round.
The first proper event many people organise is their 21st birthday. It’s a milestone, and it’s an ‘adult’ birthday! As a result, organising your 21st can be surprisingly daunting, and the VenueNow team often finds 21st birthday planners are unsure of how to go about finding a venue and planning their party.
How big should the venue be? Should there be food? How much should you put on the bar? What's a realistic budget – and how do you go about getting the most bang for your buck?VenueNowhas got your back.
Know what you want (or don’t want) from your venue
This is advice that can be applied to all events, but it’s especially important when planning a 21st birthday party. Have an idea of what you want from the night –and from your venue. Do you want to celebrate in a casual or grungy bar, or is an elegant function space more your style? Are you planning a sit-down dinner or a co*cktail party? Do you want to provide food or just drinks?
Once you have an idea of the overall style and feel of your 21st birthday party, it’s time to start looking for venues. This can be tricky business; many venues are more suitable for certain types of parties than others. A local pub may be perfect for birthday parties as they can provide your birthday party drinks but are not suitable for a co*cktail evening, while an elegant event space may be the wrong fit for a more low-key celebration.
Also, you can choose to have your birthday party in a unique venue. Should there be some sort ofInstagrammablefeature to the venue? Is an epic dance floor at the top of your priorities? Everyone is different, so don’t be afraid to make your venue choice speak as an extension of your personality!
Venue Location
Location is key when it comes to planning your 21st birthday party. Depending on the type of event you’re hosting, and who will be attending, you may want to consider whether you should look for venues in city centres or more outlying locations.
A venue near town can make it easier for people coming from outside the area to attend, and can also provide a variety of entertainment options afterwards. On the other hand, if you’re organising a more casual event and looking for locals only, then finding a venue in an outlying area may be the better option.
Consider your budget
According to the venue booking team atVenueNow, the average ‘low’ budget for a 21st birthday is around$1,000 or$2,000. That might sound high, but don’t fret –more often than not, you won’t have to pay that amount upfront. In fact, you’ll probably just have to pay a small deposit.
Most venues will work on a ‘minimum spend’ system. A minimum spend is what you’ll need to commit to spending over the course of the night (generally food and drinks) in order to book a space. If you don’t meet the minimum spend you may need to pay the remainder, but we’ll get to that later.
Guest list
How many birthday guests are you inviting to the party? Generally speaking, VenueNow recommends venues for 50-200 guests, but smaller or bigger parties can be catered for. The size, and ultimately the cost, of your venue, will mostly depend onhow many guestsyou're inviting.Just make sure that your guest list size is communicated correctly to the venue in order to avoid any nasty surprises on the night.
Party's theme
Your 21st birthday is obviously a milestone, so it’s important to make sure your party has the right atmosphere and theme. Of course, this depends on what you want to achieve for an unforgettable party. Do you want a night of wild partying? A relaxed family affair? Or something more sophisticated and elegant?
Once you’ve decided what kind of atmosphere you want, it’s time to start thinking about decorations. This can be as simple (or as complex) as you desire. However, if you don’t have a lot of time or money there are plenty of inexpensive DIY options available – think bunting, balloons, and even custom-made banners!
