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Party Planning 101

July 24, 2023 | Austin, Nashville, Party Planning

So you’re planning a party? Yee Haw!

We’re party-hosting experts, and we’re here to share our best tips for planning and throwing the ultimate party. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette, or girls’ getaway, throwing a good party is harder than it sounds.

You want everyone to mingle, have a good time, and go home with new memories, meaning you have to get everything from the entertainment to the food just right.

Here’s our guide to planning an awesome party!

Choose Your Party Style

What kind of party do you want to host? Are you planning a house party, game night, pool party, dinner party, brunch, barbecue, or some other event? The party type will influence your preparations – such as the food, entertainment, dress code, what’s expected of you, and what’s expected of guests.

Gather the Group

Think about who you want to invite to your party. The more the merrier, but fewer guests will make the party more manageable and give you a chance to have some personal time with everyone. Decide who you want to party with, and then send out some invitations! You can send physical invites, or create digital ones that are easy to share.

Invite the Cocktail CowBoys

This might be our best tip for throwing a party. Invite the Cocktail CowBoys! We’re party experts who know how to have a good time. The good-looking cowboys will take any party and make it even better. They’re your personal bartenders, drink servers, butlers, game organizers, and overall hype men. Trust us, they’re a key element for an unforgettable party! Right now you can find the Cocktail CowBoys in Austin and Nashville, but keep an eye out because they may be coming to other cities soon! Learn more about the Cocktail CowBoys and book them for your event!

Get Ready to Decorate

Throwing a party is a good reason to be a little extra! Don’t be afraid to pick a theme and get the decorations to match. You can find lots of party attire and essentials in the Cabana Boys shop. So go ahead and pick out some new drinkware, hats, shirts, accessories, and more.

Create a Budget

Making a budget will keep your party financially on track. When creating your party budget, consider food, drinks, entertainment, decorations, and any additional venue costs. If you’re looking to save some money, get creative with your options. For example, instead of hiring caterers, you could get food delivered or ask everyone to bring something to share.

Choose the Perfect Setting

Where would you like to host the party? Indoor parties give off an intimate and cozy feel, while outdoor events are freer and more casual. You can have a party at home, in your backyard, or at an external venue. Sometimes hiring an external venue is the most convenient option – it minimizes your cleaning, organizing, and general hosting burden.

Provide Entertainment

Entertainment is key for any party. Ideally, you want to pick entertainment that encourages guests to interact with each other and have some fun. You don’t necessarily need to break the bank for good entertainment. Board games and yard games are great options that encourage some healthy competition. Other ideas include a photobooth, DIY food/drink stations, or even live performances. Here’s another pro tip: invite the Cocktail CowBoys and they’ll take care of the entertainment. The guys will curate the perfect playlist, host party games, serve drinks and bring the good vibes.

Make a Menu

All parties need some good food and drinks! Plan a menu that fits the vibe and type of party you’re hosting. You can have the event catered, get takeout, or ask guests to bring items to share. We recommend dishes that are easy to eat and share. Don’t forget snacks and dessert!

Bring the Drinks

Make sure you have drinks for when your guests get thirsty! You want to make sure everyone stays hydrated but also has some fun. If you need a bartender or drink server, the Cocktail CowBoys have you covered. They’ll pour drinks, mix cocktails, and spray champagne. When it comes to drinks, they’re your guys!

Create a Checklist

Throwing a party involves many minor details – such as inviting guests, hiring a cleaning crew, putting up decorations, and more. Creating a checklist of party tasks, with an expected timeline, will make it easier for you to stay on track and plan everything successfully. A checklist will also hopefully make you less stressed!

Prep Ahead of Time

You don’t want to get everything ready on the day of the party. Start prepping a few days before to help everything go smoothly and keep your stress level at a minimum.