Are you planning your wedding or celebrating an important milestone? Well, congratulations! In this article I share my top tips for throwing a FUN unforgettable event. So if you’re planning a wedding in Ghana or know someone who is celebrating an important milestone, grab a cuppa and dive in!

1. Hire a venue with adequate parking [or communicate it ahead of time if otherwise].

If you’re hoping to create a fun unforgettable event, selecting the perfect venue is definitely the starting point. Before you pay a deposit to secure your booking, be sure to check for adequate parking, bathrooms, changing rooms, etc. And, if you find a great wedding venue that ticks all the boxes except adequate parking, consider including a heads-up in your invitation.

I was recently a guest at an event with this situation and this is how the host worded it: “There is no parking at the venue. You may need to park a few streets down and walk. I’ll recommend you take an Uber, Taxi, Bolt, Yango or carpool.” 👌🏽

2. Stay on schedule.

If you’re working with an Event Planner or Wedding Coordinator, they’ll already have a wedding day timeline that ensures a smooth flow of events. From experience, they’ll know how much time you’ll need for make-up, travel times from the ceremony to the reception venue, time required for photographs, etc. Discuss the wedding timeline ahead of time and stick to it. Your wedding guests will love you for this.

3. If there’s a seating chart, assign tables NOT seats.

Designated seats is a nice Pinterest idea. However, if you’re expecting 50 guests or more, consider designated tables instead. Especially if you’re expecting elderly guests or are not sure who is still talking to who. [Eg. Auntie Jane – Table 10.] This will cut back on unnecessary confusion, musical chairs and awkward conversation with Gladys and Jojo from JSS. 😀

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.

Maya Angelou

4. Hire a skilled DJ who can read the room and keep guests on the dance floor.

Unless you really know what you’re doing [and are hosting up to 12 guests in your living room] please let the Spotify playlists and home speakers rest. We want to celebrate with you. We want to dance with you. We want to party with you! Don’t put your guests to bed with subpar home speakers and Celine Dion’s greatest hits.

5. A well coordinated food and drinks service [and lots to eat & drink throughout the event].

If there’s anything your guests will love you for, it is good food and entertainment. Not the decor. Not the fancy invitations and stationery. Not the 6 tier wedding cake descending from heaven above. Good food, delicious cocktails, music & entertainment that has everyone partying till mama calls. THIS is the magic formula.

6. A designated area for kids.

If you’re in your late twenties or early thirties, the majority of your friends will probably have young kids. So, if you really want them there, consider factoring in a designated room / area for children. This way, guests who are unable to leave their young children at home can still attend. Think fun activity areas, kids menus and additional Event Pros who specialize in kids parties.

7. Gifts that actually matter.

Instead of branded mugs and flutes guests will never EVER use, think slippers they can change into for the after-party, parasols for garden weddings, programs that double as fans, cashmere scarfs for when it gets cold and windy [especially if you’re planning a beach or waterfront wedding]…etc. And while we’re at it, gift yourself the services of  an Event Planner who truly gets it. 😉

I hope you found value in this. If you did, do share it with someone who needs to see it too.

Have a brilliant week ahead and stay topped up!

Your Event Planning BFF,

G | PlanIt Events, Ghana.