Planning a Birthday Party - Page 2

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I would send out the Save the Date reminder now. Since it is in November, you need to find out about availability for hotel rooms. How many are you inviting? If there was no one to speak with at the restaurant, i would just go to the restaurant and ask to speak to the manager; they should be able to put you in contact with the person who handles events or reserved rooms. I hope it goes well and the birthday boy has a great time! The invitation should go out in plenty of time as well. You can find timelines for all of these things on The Knot (which is for weddings but includes what you need) and also many other places online.

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

I'm surprised that no one was going to meet with you. I hosted a baby shower a year ago and went directly to the restaurants I was interested in.

I either emailed or spoke with the person in charge and made an appointment to meet up. I wanted to see what they would say regarding details. Plus I wanted to see the room and if they had any photos for ideas on how others had decorated the space.

Have you been to this restaurant before? They usually will give you an idea of what they have to offer. I did a brunch and it's nice to know how they handle the times you will be having the party.

I would send a save the date by the middle of summer with details to follow. I personally like real snail mail invites but you could always do both.

It sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@haddon9 wrote:
I'm surprised that no one was going to meet with you. I hosted a baby shower a year ago and went directly to the restaurants I was interested in.

I either emailed or spoke with the person in charge and made an appointment to meet up. I wanted to see what they would say regarding details. Plus I wanted to see the room and if they had any photos for ideas on how others had decorated the space.

Have you been to this restaurant before? They usually will give you an idea of what they have to offer. I did a brunch and it's nice to know how they handle the times you will be having the party.

I would send a save the date by the middle of summer with details to follow. I personally like real snail mail invites but you could always do both.

It sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

@haddon9 I'm right there with you. I'm not into this text and email stuff when it comes around something that's this important. It's not a BBQ or a picnic.

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

I'm thinking about 30 or so people will attend. They do not have to choose what they want to eat. It is buffet style. I can choose between a lunch, light lunch, finger food brunch, or savory brunch. I can alter the menu however I choose. There are a few vegetarians that I know of that will attend. I have attended functions there before and the food is delicious. Very expensive though. I was not expecting a $500 room rental on top of the food, but I guess I'm nieve.

Thanks everyone, i'm on it getting Save the Date cards.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Biftu wrote:
I'm thinking about 30 or so people will attend. They do not have to choose what they want to eat. It is buffet style. I can choose between a lunch, light lunch, finger food brunch, or savory brunch. I can alter the menu however I choose. There are a few vegetarians that I know of that will attend. I have attended functions there before and the food is delicious. Very expensive though. I was not expecting a $500 room rental on top of the food, but I guess I'm nieve.

Thanks everyone, i'm on it getting Save the Date cards.

@Biftu that seems like a very popular and elegant place. I would hate to show up in my shorts or jeans.

Sage04 · ‎07-10-2011

@Biftu wrote:
I'm thinking about 30 or so people will attend. They do not have to choose what they want to eat. It is buffet style. I can choose between a lunch, light lunch, finger food brunch, or savory brunch. I can alter the menu however I choose. There are a few vegetarians that I know of that will attend. I have attended functions there before and the food is delicious. Very expensive though. I was not expecting a $500 room rental on top of the food, but I guess I'm nieve.

Thanks everyone, i'm on it getting Save the Date cards.

@Biftu I thought that the afternoon events would be less but maybe the evening events would be doubled.

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@Sage04 wrote:
@Biftu that's fantastic. Yes you can send out the "Save the Date" card but within at least 3 months of the party.. My nephew has a few of them stuck on his refridgerator lol.

Have you seen the venue and have they told you the amount that the room holds. About how many freinds are you inviting? Would you like them to RSVP or it does not matter? Also what age are you inviting?

I'm asking a lot of questions lol. I'm excited.

You have enough time to plan it exactly the way you would like it. Menu!! Places for the out of towners to stay, transportation, and other little stuff. Will they get to choose whether they would like fish, chicken or steak? I'm so organized that my family says I scare them. Decorations!!

Ok I'll stop for now.

@Sage04 wrote:
@Biftu that's fantastic. Yes you can send out the "Save the Date" card but within at least 3 months of the party.. My nephew has a few of them stuck on his refridgerator lol.

Have you seen the venue and have they told you the amount that the room holds. About how many freinds are you inviting? Would you like them to RSVP or it does not matter? Also what age are you inviting?

I'm asking a lot of questions lol. I'm excited.

You have enough time to plan it exactly the way you would like it. Menu!! Places for the out of towners to stay, transportation, and other little stuff. Will they get to choose whether they would like fish, chicken or steak? I'm so organized that my family says I scare them. Decorations!!

Ok I'll stop for now.

@Sage04 Thanks for your enthusiasm about this event! I'm very organized myself but this is all new to me. Wish you were here to help and attend!

The room holds up to 50 and I'm thinking about 30 will attend. Attendee ages will be from 6 to 85 -- quite a range. I need them to RSVP because I will be paying per person.

There is a hotel above the restaurant, but there are only 17 rooms and it is very expensive. It is an old Inn built in 1871 and operated as a speakeasy during prohibition. Famous guests were Henry Ford, Pearl Buck, Dorothy Parker and James Michener. There is a legend that Oscar Hammerstein composed the lyrics for South Pacific during his stay at the Inn. I can accommodate some guests but will look for other hotel options.
I'm on it with "Save the Date" cards/magnets.

Biftu · ‎02-05-2011

@Sage04 wrote:
@haddon9 wrote:
I'm surprised that no one was going to meet with you. I hosted a baby shower a year ago and went directly to the restaurants I was interested in.

I either emailed or spoke with the person in charge and made an appointment to meet up. I wanted to see what they would say regarding details. Plus I wanted to see the room and if they had any photos for ideas on how others had decorated the space.

Have you been to this restaurant before? They usually will give you an idea of what they have to offer. I did a brunch and it's nice to know how they handle the times you will be having the party.

I would send a save the date by the middle of summer with details to follow. I personally like real snail mail invites but you could always do both.

It sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

@haddon9 I'm right there with you. I'm not into this text and email stuff when it comes around something that's this important. It's not a BBQ or a picnic.

I agree with both of you. Very annoying.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

With a $500 rental fee, I'd certainly expect an event planner to be willing to meet with me for an hour. It sounds like the venue has a great reputation, so that's the only thing that concerns me. I'm sure they know what they're doing.

vermint · ‎04-05-2010

@Biftu It sounds like it will be a lovely event!

Just wanted to say, though---be prepared to have to call people for their RSVP. So many just can't be bothered, but will show up anyway. Some will think "well, surely she knows I will be there!"

I know it's not polite, but I'd love to see a line on the invitations saying "If you don't RSVP, don't attend--there will be no food or chair for you!"