It’s not about how big your house is. It’s what you do with it
Planning a party at home? You already know it takes more than a few bottles of fizz to make it unforgettable (although fizz is a good start!).
As one of the UK’s leading party planners, we’ve put together some expert tips to help you transform your home into a brilliant party venue.
Here’s how to make your party the one everyone talks about.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER
- How to throw a fun house party for adults
- How you make your house party exciting
- How to set the mood for a great party
- Ideas for entertainment
- Smart food and drink planning
- Practical prep to make the party run smoothly
- Safety and discretion tips
- And you need to ENJOY it!
Why host a party at home?
Why not? It’s cheap, no venue hire fees here! No expensive drinks, also the distance to your own bed at the end of the night, if you make it, is priceless!
Once you have decided to host your party at home, read on to find out how to make it incredible, with our expert tips:
Setting the mood
Lighting
Turn the overhead lights off. Bright light kills the atmosphere before the party has even started.
Go too dark and you will have wine spills everywhere as guests bump into each other.
The trick is to create theatre in your home. Hire some LED uplighters and turn any room into a party venue.
Decorations
Great decorations set the scene. Cheap ones spoil it.
- Skip the cheap props. Plastic party props look fake and end up in landfill.
- Hire the good stuff, or nothing at all. A few festival flags and a wooden bar look far better than a room full of plastic.
- Make your guests part of the look. Set a dress code and the party comes alive.
Stuck for a theme? Browse our 32 party theme ideas.
How to clear the floor at a house party
Move sofas and chairs away from the dance floor and the speakers. Nobody can chat next to a speaker.
Our pro tip: ask a removal company to store the furniture for the weekend. You get more space and a safer room.
Music & Entertainment
A DJ saved your life
A good DJ keeps the floor full. They know what to play, and they adapt as they watch how your guests react.
Give them your style and trust them to build the set.
Want to run the music yourself? Start with our top 10 party playlists.
Book a PRO photographer
Book a professional photographer. How often does your whole group get together, all glammed up? Not often. Capture it properly.
A phone will not cut it. Nor will your niece Lottie’s new photography course. Thank her kindly and leave it to the experts.
Candid shots are best. A good photographer fades into the background and catches the special moments as they happen. We know quite a few, if you need recommendations.
(Gentlemen: if you need help looking a million dollars, read our guide to Savile Row tailors.)
Food & Drink
Serve bowl food: A Buffet is so 1998
A formal meal slows the party down. A buffet gets messy once people dive in.
Bowl food lets guests eat standing up, without making a mess. Worried about small portions? Go for the more substantial option.
Not sure which suits you? Read our guide to bowl food or a sit-down dinner.
Stock up on drinks
Always have leftovers rather than run out halfway through. Offer plenty of choice:
- beer and wine
- fizz and cocktails
- spirits and mixers
- soft drinks
- lots of ice
No host needs a midnight dash to a 24-hour Tesco.
Plan a midnight snack
Guests get peckish. Pizza, bacon sandwiches or cheese on toast all go down well.
It is also a gentle signal that the party is ending. Eating makes people sleepy, which helps when Gavin refuses to go home.
Practical House Party Prep
Cloakrooms
Turn one room into a cloakroom. Add a coat rail and hangers so guests can leave coats and bags while they enjoy the party.
Prepare the bathroom
Make sure it is spotlessly clean, with:
- plenty of loo roll
- clean towels
- a mirror
A fragrant reed diffuser is a nice touch, with a spray air freshener tucked discreetly by the loo. Candles look lovely, but let’s keep the fire risk low.
Greet your guests
Be ready with a big smile as guests arrive. Nothing is worse than a host who is too busy running around to talk to anyone.
Spend real time with your guests. It is your party, after all. A private party planner like MGN can take the running around off your hands.
Warn the neighbours
Give your neighbours notice and apologise for any late noise in advance. Invite them along, or leave a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine as a thank you.
With any luck, they will be out themselves that night.
Don’t announce your party on Instagram!
Keep it off social media. Remember Project X? Post afterwards, when it is safe to say what a great party it was. Do not invite gatecrashers.
And finally, have fun!
If you’d like some help creating a house party to celebrate a special occasion just give us a call! We can take care of everything so that you can enjoy being with your guests.
You can get more help creating successful house parties that wow your guests. Contact our team via the form below, on 01932 22 33 33 or by email at hello@mgnevents.co.uk.
Gary Duarte,
Marketing Manager
He crafts content, spots trends, and finds creative ways to connect the dots, all while making sure the MGN brand shines across every platform.
