Hosting a private event for friends and family? Whether it's a birthday party, reunion, anniversary dinner, or any other special occasion, it's vital that you find the perfect venue. Keep reading to find out how to compare and choose event spaces.
The best event spaces combine substance with style—they help you create the atmosphere you want while also providing all the facilities you need. Here are some of the options well worth checking out during your venue search.
Banquet Halls
Banquet halls and lavish feasts go together like coffee and cake. So if you're planning a large celebration for your extended family and friends, look for the best banquet halls near you.
Pubs and Bars
Pubs and bars are casual meeting venues where you and your nearest and dearest can throw a memorable celebration. You can enjoy a drink or three while you share enjoyable conversation with all your guests.
Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurant private dining rooms offer a secluded and exclusive space for milestone birthdays or anniversary dinners. If your celebration calls for something a little more casual, a cafe offers a quiet and cozy event venue.
Private Homes
If you're desperately craving a space hidden away from prying eyes, book a lovely private residence for your next event. This will provide the perfect venue for catching up with the special people in your life and spending some quality time together.
Private Gardens
You can make the most of sunny weather and beautiful natural surroundings in a pretty garden setting. But you can also set up a tent or marquee if you need protection from the elements.
When you're ready to start your venue search, there's a whole lot to consider as you compare your options. Take these factors into account when narrowing down your choice of event venue.
Price
Whether you're comparing meeting venues or party venues, the first thing you should do is work out how much you can afford to spend. Remember that venue hire is just one of many expenses you'll have to cover, so set a realistic budget.
Atmosphere
The type of event you're hosting will dictate the type of ambiance you want to create for your guests. Every space brings its own distinctive vibe to your private party or corporate event, so find venues that match the experience you want to offer.
Amenities
Now, it's time to look at things from a purely practical point of view. Think of all the key facilities the space needs to host your private party. These include everything from parking spaces to bathrooms, catering facilities, or even a dance floor, so put together a checklist of the essentials.
Location
The best event spaces in your area are those in convenient, central locations. Look for a space that is easy to reach by car and public transport, and if you've got guests coming from far away, look for accommodation options nearby.
Flexibility
Finally, check whether it's possible to tailor the venue to suit your unique requirements. This could mean adjusting the layout to suit the flow of your event, or adding your own decorations to transform the space. Find a venue host who is willing to work with you and who will accommodate special requests.
Explore creative venues to find a unique setting for your private party. Old warehouses, arcades, wineries, lofts, art galleries—you might be surprised by the sheer variety of event spaces available for rent. Sites like Giggster make it easy to track down unique venues, while experienced event planners can also help you find spaces that you might never have dreamed of considering for your celebration.
Choosing a theme offers another simple way to put a creative twist on your next event. If you're hosting a 50th birthday party, for example, the theme could be fashion from the decade in which the birthday boy or girl was born. If it's a family reunion, perhaps you could encourage everyone to come dressed as whatever their younger self wanted to be when they grew up. Have some fun with it and research different party themes online.
Organizing special party games and entertainment can also help take excitement levels from the ground floor right up to the rooftop. You could hire a covers band to play all your favorite party tunes from your younger years, or hire a great comedian to "roast" the guest of honor. You could host a costume contest or trivia quiz, or organize some sporting or carnival games to encourage your guests to enjoy themselves. It's entirely up to you and what you think will send your guests home with smiles on their faces and heads full of fun memories.
Use this checklist to help ensure that you take care of all the most important tasks when planning a private party.
Set Your Budget
Crunch the numbers to work out how much you can afford to spend on the event as a whole. Make sure you leave extra space in the budget for those unexpected expenses that will inevitably pop up.
Connect With Professional Planners
If there's room in the budget, an experienced event planner can be a great weapon to have at your disposal. They can do the heavy lifting to help you book event spaces, catering, and entertainment.
Create a Guest List
Decide who you're going to invite to share your party. Remember to get invitations sent out early so that as many of your nearest and dearest as possible can make it to the event.
Choose a Venue
Now you're ready to find the right event venue. Compare property listings online to find event spaces that fit your list of requirements. Organize event venue space site visits whenever possible to get a better feel of exactly what a venue offers.
Pick a Theme
If you're hosting a birthday party or other type of celebration with a theme, take your time to choose something fun and inclusive.
Book Catering
Think of your taste buds and whether you'll be dishing up light appetizers or a three-course meal. Compare menus and customization options among catering services, and don't forget to book a bartending service too if needed for your event.
Book Entertainment
What do you want your guests to do during the event? If you need to book musicians, party games, or anything else, now's the time to do so.
Hire Equipment
If your event venue needs extra equipment or supplies—furniture, decor, lighting, AV gear, you name it—hire everything you want from a party rental company.
Need some inspiration to help you compare event spaces and find your perfect venue? Check out these creative ideas.
Kids' Pool Party
You'll be hard pressed to find a venue kids love more for birthday celebrations than a private home with a luxurious pool area. That way, the kids can splash away all their energy while the parents relax and chat in comfy sun loungers.
Birthday Dinner in a Private Dining Room
A birthday party in a private dining room offers privacy and the chance to enjoy a gourmet meal. Check out what your favorite restaurants have to offer to help you create the ideal private party atmosphere.
Rooftop Cocktail Reception
Rooftop bars are event spaces that lend a touch of exclusivity to any gathering. And when you host a chic and sophisticated cocktail reception at a swanky rooftop bar, you can bet your bottom dollar that there won't be many people RSVPing no to your invitation.
Garden Wedding
Lush private gardens are relaxing and tranquil for you and your guests to mingle and chat, while the open-air setting and beautiful surroundings provide added intimacy.
You've set the guest count and you've found a venue you love. You'll need to ask the owner a few key questions to make sure you get a good deal.
Is it Available When I Need it?
If you're in a major city like Las Vegas or San Diego, you'll find that the best venues book out well in advance. Get in early to make sure the venue you want is available on your chosen date, or whether you'll need to change the date to get the event space you want.
Is it Suitable For My Private Event?
Some venue hosts will place restrictions on how you can use their space. They might put a blanket ban on specific events or impose restrictions on noise levels or allowable decorations, so check how you can use the venue before booking.
How Long is the Booking For?
When you pay to make a booking, how long do you secure the space for? Is it for the full day or a limited number of hours, and if you want to book the venue for a longer period, can you pay extra to do so?
What's Included in the Price?
Check whether the upfront price includes all the facilities and equipment featured in the property listing. Is there any optional equipment you can include in your booking for an extra fee?
No matter what type of private event you're hosting, your choice of venue will have a huge impact. Compare private event spaces on Giggster today to discover the ideal place for hosting a terrific gathering. Unique spaces are at your fingertips.