We love a good party at Peak Edge Hotel, and whilst we are famous for our wedding celebrations, we’ve also hosted many birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings too. So, we thought it would be interesting to share what we have learned to help you plan your perfect celebration event!

Let’s be honest: the first thought that runs through your head – whether the party is your idea of a little bit of lovely peer pressure – is whether people will come.  Then, the practicalities hit. How much will this cost?  And then, wham…” Wow, it’s a lot of effort? Can I be bothered?”.

Planning and hosting a party can be daunting, but the juice is worth the squeeze: great memories, fun times, and lots of photographic and Insta evidence.

So, where to start? Let Shannon and Megan, our party gurus, guide you through the process…

Let’s assume you know why you want the party (it’s your birthday or your mum and dad’s 50th anniversary). What’s next?

Talk numbers

How much do you want to spend, or how much can you afford? This is a boring but essential first step because it guides all your other decisions making.  What venue, food, and entertainment are you inviting, and who are you inviting?

“You can always start by writing a list of how many people you need to invite, then add on those you want to invite and see if this is likely to be possible within your budget,” says Shannon. “It’s not an exact science, but if you get a rough idea of how much you will spend per person, it’s a good start”.

Think Theme

Megan has seen many different themes come through our doors. She says, “This may not be your thing; you just want a party, but more and more people are opting for a theme to make the party more fun and, dare I say it, more Instagrammable”.

It could be a simple colour theme or a costume party. “Or it could be a total takeover like a school disco with traditional food and cheesy retro disco or a Festival theme with street food and live music – our street food menus are trendy, and some live music can make a night memorable”.  For more ideas of themes, read on…

Choose a Venue

Of course, you may be able to have your party at home (brave move), but there are many benefits to hiring a space if you can afford it, especially if you have more significant numbers. You need to research – you have guest numbers, a budget and a theme decided now – so you can tailor your search accordingly.

“You can always do a simple web search, but asking around and looking for recommendations is always useful. Or you can use a tool like Venue Directory, which searches thousands of venues!” added Shannon. “but local hotels with plenty of bedrooms are always a convenient option. They have the space, the experience and also somewhere for guests to stay overnight. 100 bedrooms in our case”.

Food, fun and more…

Now, we’re getting to the exciting bits. Food is a must for any great party, whether nibbles, buffet, street food, or a full-on four-course sit-down banquet. It’s totally up to you, but it needs to be what’s best for your guests, theme, and budget! Be realistic.

Shannon advises, “Ask the venue to show you sample menus, see how flexible they are, and don’t forget to cater for dietary preferences and allergies. We offer a wide range of menus, from simple buffets to full seated banquets, but venues should accommodate your needs. It’s your party, after all.”

Food sorted? Think about entertainment (DJ or something live?) and what about something for the kids (if they are invited!). Whatever suits your vibe (aka theme!). And don’t forget the little extras…do you want decorations, table centres or even party favours? “Any good venue will have suppliers they can recommend to you, and some will even have their own kit.”, added Shannon.

Time to create a buzz

Send out your invites! If you want to be really organised, you can always send a “save the date” before everything is finalised (this depends on how “popular” and busy your friends and family are!).

Then you can send digital or traditional paper invites, but whatever you choose, make sure to include all the essential details and request RSVPs in good time, ideally at least four weeks before the big day.

Now enjoy!!

Everything is sorted. You’ve got your party outfit sorted, and you’ve chosen a great playlist. Only you know what is planned, so don’t worry too much if the timings on the night go awry or guests fail to arrive – those who are there are your only concern!

“You must enjoy your party and let the team at your venue take the strain. You should always have someone to help, and they know what they are doing!” says Megan. “We love taking care of our party guests and want them to relax and have fun; remember, unlike a house party, we will clean up the aftermath like it never happened!”

Shannon Grist and Megan Green are our party gurus. They welcome over 5,000 happy partygoers each year and, with our lovely events operations team, guarantee a Peak Edge party will be one to remember.

For more information, visit our occasion pages or email our team at events@peakedgehotel.co.uk

P.S. We promised some trending themes for you…so here are just a few.

• Carnival Time – think bright colours, festive decorations, and lively music
• 70s, 80s, 90s – travel back in time with a party-themed decade of your choice!
• Strike a pose – celebrate your favourite film or series by transforming your party space
• All about the music – whether it’s rock and roll, jazz, pop, or indie, this can set the tone
• Pretty in pink – well, any colour, really. If you love purple or orange, do the full-hog
• Stay classy – a more traditional affair, like a masquerade, James Bond or simple and elegant  black-tie