Secrets to a successful party

How to surprise and delight your party guests

At a time when everyone's social calendars are jam-packed, it takes more than just good food and drink to stand out from the crowd. If you really want to wow your guests, here are some suggestions for throwing a truly memorable party:

The Invite!

Start with an unusual invitation: something hand-written, or delivered in person instead of by email!

This will help create intrigue and anticipation with a little bit of mystery.

It's not necessary to give away the theme or all the details until just before the party, which will add to the excitement. This personal touch will let your guests know that they're special and that you went the extra mile to make them feel welcome. Setting the tone of the party from the outset will make it that much more memorable.

Make it a themed party

If you're feeling really creative, why not choose a theme for your party? This can be anything from a specific decade (the roaring twenties, anyone?), to a particular country or culture, or even a movie or book.

Not only will this give your party a unique identity, but it will also help you to focus your décor and menu ideas. And don't forget the costumes! Guests who come dressed for the part will really add to the atmosphere. This doesn't have to be tacky fancy dress, think harlequin masks and feather boas for a Venetian carnival party perhaps!

Go all out with the décor

No one expects a plain old party these days – it's all about the details! So make your party venue look amazing with lots of creative touches. From balloons and bunting to flowers and fairy lights, there are lots of affordable ways to dress up a space. If you have the time and inclination, you could even make your own decorations. There are of course plenty of suppliers who can really help you to make an impression with decorations should you require that certain x-factor!

The food!

It's no secret that good food and drink are essential for any successful party. But why not go the extra mile and serve something really special?

If you're feeling adventurous, why not try some canapes that are a bit out of the ordinary? From scorpion skewers to camel burgers, there are lots of recipes to be found online that will really surprise and delight your guests. Or if you're after something a bit more traditional, why not try a cheese board with some unusual additions?

Serve unusual hors d'oeuvres: Instead of the usual cheese and crackers, why not try something a bit more exotic? How about some sushi rolls, mini quiches or even bacon-wrapped dates?

You could also serve up some themed cocktails with accompanying snacks – for example, a New Orleans-style Hurricane might go perfectly with some spicy Cajun shrimp! Look to hire a creative caterer who can come up with an inventive menu that will tantalise your guests' taste buds.

Embrace excess - It's important to have a lot of food, drink, ice and garnishes; running out of anything is tedious. It's more enjoyable when there's more :-)

Create a signature drink

This doesn't have to be anything too complicated – in fact, something simple like a classic martini or margarita can be just perfect. But make sure you have plenty of ingredients and enough mixers on hand, and be sure to print out some easy-to-follow recipes for your guests. If you want to get really creative, you could even come up with your own unique cocktail recipe and invite your guests to take part in a cocktail masterclass!

The music!

Great music is the backbone of a great party. You simply can't beat live music so this would be my first suggestion. But if you're not able to get a band, then make sure you have a good selection of music cued up and ready to go. Music that suits your audience and your theme is always a good idea, and pay close attention to the volume of your background music. Too often, it prohibits conversation, which is the last thing you want at a party! Of course, as the night progresses, you can always crank up the volume for some dancing!

The games!

No party is complete without a few games to keep everyone entertained. Whether it's a simple game of charades or something more elaborate, make sure you have something on hand that will get everyone in the mood. And don't forget the prizes! Something small and fun is always appreciated, like a goodie bag filled with fun party favours.

A wonderful game I can recommend involves being given secret projects to complete throughout the evening without being detected! It was so much fun to see everyone's reactions when their project was revealed.

The entertainment!

Great entertainment is important to a successful party. It ensures wonderful talking points, breaks the ice, surprises your guests and provides fantastic memories that they'll share for years to come. If you're stuck for ideas, here are a few of my favourites:

– A caricaturist who can quickly sketch your guests as they mingle

– A magician who can wow your guests with some amazing tricks

– A stilt walker or fire eater who will add some excitement and intrigue to your party

– An interactive band

Of course, my surprise juggling act provides a classy, yet highly entertaining addition to any party. I'm sure your guests will be talking about your event for weeks afterwards!

Capture the fun!

Special occasions should be remembered long after the event and having a party photographer is a great way to ensure that your guests have lasting memories of the night. They can capture all the ridiculous fun and laughter, as well as all the brilliant décor and delicious food.

We live in a world where people love taking selfies and videos but rarely have a professional photographer on hand to capture the moment. Capture the night one snap at a time, have them professionally edited and uploaded to an online gallery where your guests can relive the evening! Great fun!

Give Your Guests Something To Do

Too often, guests are left to fend for themselves and end up sitting at a table staring into their drinks. This isn't much fun for them and it can make the host feel a little bit guilty. So, why not give your guests something to do? This could be anything from a simple photo booth to a more elaborate casino night.

Allow your guests to become part of the evening and you'll have a much better dynamic in the room which will, in turn, lead to more fun!

Don't seat best friends together!

It's all too easy to group friends together for the evening, but this can often lead to an imbalance in the room. You'll have the loud people at one end and the quiet people at the other - not ideal. So, mix things up a bit and seat your friends randomly around the room. This will encourage them to talk to new people and get to know them better. Another idea to encourage interaction throughout the guests is to have them move after every course! This will keep them on their toes and stop any groups from becoming too cosy.

Be ahead of the game

Be mindful of potential problems that give your guests reasons to leave early or complain!

For instance, if you're planning a garden party, you know those pesky mosquitoes can be a real issue. Make sure you have plenty of insect repellent on hand, as well as citronella candles and torches to keep the bugs at bay.

Hoping for great weather? Expect the worse, have umbrellas and cosy rugs on standby to ensure that your guests are comfortable no matter what the weather throws at you!

Thinking this way will ensure your guests have a fantastic time, without any unexpected surprises!

Conclusion

If you're looking to throw a party that will be remembered long after it's over, make sure you pay attention to the little details. By providing great entertainment, games, food and drinks, and of course by ensuring your guests feel appreciated, you'll create an event that they'll be talking about for years to come!