Party venues - tips and tricks to find the right one!

Find the perfect venue for your private party: tips and tricks

Finding the right venue for your private party can be a deciding factor in whether your party is a success or a failure. There are many things to consider and different types of parties require different types of venues. In this blog post, we'll give you a guide on how to choose the perfect venue for your party.

Consider the type and size of the party

When choosing a party venue, it's important to first consider the type of party you're planning. A children's birthday party requires a completely different setup than a birthday party, wedding or anniversary party.

• Children's birthday party: Consider a scout hut or community centre with plenty of space for play and activities.
• Round birthday or anniversary: A more formal venue such as a banqueting room or a restaurant with a function room would be appropriate.
• Wedding: Here you can really go all-in with a romantic castle or a beautiful manor house.

Different types of function rooms

There are many different types of venue, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common types of function rooms:

• Scout hut or community centrePerfect for more relaxed parties where you do most of the organising yourself. These venues are often cheaper and give you a lot of freedom to decorate and organise the party according to your wishes.
• Function rooms and restaurants: These venues often require you to order food and drinks from the venue. They're ideal if you want a more structured party where you don't have to worry about the practicalities.
• Castles and manor housesThese venues are perfect for large, formal celebrations like weddings. They offer a beautiful and unique atmosphere, but can be more expensive and often require you to use their catering and staff.

Key rental vs. full service

An important factor to consider when choosing a venue is whether you want key hire or full service.

• Key hire: You get the key to the venue and are responsible for everything from decoration to food and clean-up. This gives you complete freedom to organise the party exactly how you want, but it also requires more planning and work on your part.
• Full service: The venue offers everything from food and drinks to staffing and cleaning. This can be a great advantage if you want to avoid stress and want everything to be taken care of. However, it can be more expensive and you have less control over details.
• Something in between: Some rooms are a middle ground between key rental and full service: for example, you promise to order the food or wine through the venue - but the rest is up to you.

Facilities and practical considerations

When choosing a venue, it's important to consider the facilities the venue offers. Here are some important points to consider:

• Space: Make sure there is enough space for all guests, a gift table, cloakroom and an area for the musician or band.
• Kitchen facilities: If you're doing your own catering, it's important that there is a good kitchen with the necessary facilities.
• Toilets: There should be enough toilets to avoid long queues.
• Car parking: Check if there are enough parking spaces for your guests.
• Disabled access: Make sure the venue is accessible to all your guests, including those with special needs.

Location of live music and bar

An important detail that is often overlooked is the placement of live music and the bar. When dinner is over and it's time to dance, it's a good idea to place the live music close to the bar. This creates a natural focal point and ensures that the dance floor is always full. A good placement of the bar and music can really make a difference to the atmosphere and energy of the party.

The type of live music you book also has a lot to do with the event you want to create. Do you just want a pianist to play during the meal, a singer to come and sing a few songs, a jazz band for pre-dinner drinks or a big party band + DJ to set the dance floor on fire? It all depends on what kind of party you want to throw, what kind of experience you want for you and your guests, and of course your budget.

Summarising

Finding the right venue takes time and consideration. Start by thinking about the type and size of your party and then choose a location that suits your needs and wants. Consider whether you want key hire or full service, and remember to take into account practical details such as space, kitchen facilities and location of live music and bar.

By taking these tips and tricks into consideration, you'll be well on your way to finding the perfect venue for your private party. Whether you choose a simple scout hut or a grand castle, the most important thing is that the venue suits your party and your guests. With the right planning and the right setting, you're sure to create an unforgettable party that your guests will talk about for years to come.