Jilting Party Bloopers

Hi y’all, hope your day’s going well? I’m sorry I’ve been a lil’ busy and blogging sort of dragged. Someone close to my heart is having his trad’ in a few weeks and he needs all the help he can get at this time. But I love u guys and will not leave u empty handed……..

And so from all we’ve been doing out here, I’ve put together a checklist to tighten those loose ends when you’re hosting a party, hoping you’d learn one or two things or probably share some more ideas with the rest of us. In no particular order here, I have;

1. 
   
   Parking – having secured a venue, provide and assign parking lots, demarcate them where possible, and have one or two marshals on ground.
2. 
   
   Flowers – if you like flowers, natural or artificial, inform your venue décor agent. Not all of them use flowers.
3. 
   
   Cloak room – I guess this works for English settings…….not a naija thing, though for rainy seasons, you may necessarily need a place for raincoats and umbrellas.
4. 
   
   Music – if you will have music, determine if u want a live band, DJ, or just plain home theatre. And check that you have available, the tracks you want played or that the tracks your DJ will play suits your event.
5. 
   
   Celebrant’s outfit – it’s funny but celebrants do forget to pick up their clothes/shoes. Check that you have your outfit(s) and accessories intact.
6. 
   
   Guest – confirm your guests and let your aides know so they’re well received on your behalf if you’re indisposed when they arrive. Friends of guest/staff of guest like the driver, chauffer or PA should also be noted.
7. 
   
   Security – have some security presence for both lives & valuables.
8. 
   
   Greeters – for a formal occasion, particularly in an enclosed place, have a few persons at the entrance welcome your guest and actually thank them for honouring your i-vee.
9. 
   
   Photographers & Cameramen – have at least 2 to sufficiently capture moments. Missed moments may never be recaptured, and you don’t want that.
10. 
    
    Children – plan for kids. Naija people don’t always leave their kinds at home.
11. 
    
    MC – regardless of your kind of ceremony, you need one or two comperes who may or not be comedians, to anchor your event.
12. 
    
    Ushers – they don’t only ensure everyone’s comfortably seated and have what they need, they come in handy in distributing your souvenirs.
13. 
    
    Drinks – have a user friendly bar i.e. there should be a drink for everyone, though u may enforce your reservations e.g. like no alcohol.
14. 
    
    Food – depending on the size of your event, you may have at least 2 caterers on ground to supply appetizers, the main dish, & desserts (not forgetting that there may be a vegetarian). And importantly also have a few persons guide them/monitor their activities.
15. 
    
    Convenience rooms – ensure you have enough toilets to accommodate your crowd….mobile toilets come in handy here. Importantly, provide toiletries and assign at least one cleaner to clean up periodically.
16. 
    
    Side attraction – a fashion show, dance performance or even pep talk can add some spice to your event.
17. 
    
    Souvenirs – specify what u’re giving your guests and who you want to get what. And if friends and family make some on your behalf, necessarily see them so you know what your guests are going to be getting.
18. 
    
    Torches (for outdoor night events) – your venue decor person may not consider lighting for a night event. Mention it.
    

Ciao.