IMPRESSING A BIG CROWD
Here’s when things get tricky: a large group usually involves people from different backgrounds and varied professions – your friends and your colleagues, for instance. This can lead to awkward silences, and a general dampening of the vibe if the mix is not quite right, but it can work wonderfully if the group is openminded and shares a few common interests. It’s your duty as host to be aware of who is likely to get along with whom beforehand, and work towards getting them together.
Or, as Sophie Bogdis, founder of Special Occasions Party Planning & Events suggests, hire a host or MC, who will know which direction to steer the crowd in over the course of the evening. “Having a fun and entertaining personality to host your party shows that you care about your guests and that you want to keep them entertained throughout,” she says. “A DJ who caters to personal requests can work if everyone likes the same kind of music, while a photographer will keep your guests engaged and make them feel like celebrities. If you can afford it, hire a photo booth with fun props and instant social media sharing, so guests can live-post how much fun they’re having.”
Innovative Hiring’s Paul Harding agrees that a DJ with an amazing sound and lighting system can work wonders with a big crowd, and that dancing is a great way to break the ice. “Live food stations and buffets are often the best way to feed the dozens or hundreds,” he adds. “People can go and eat when they like, rather than waiting for bite-sized canapes to come around. When it comes to big crowds, beautiful furniture in large quantities can dramatically transform a space, too, and your event will never look plain or boring,” he continues. “Decor is the best way to transform a blank canvas into a wonderland.”
Bogdis cautions that people often tend to forget parking facilities, and informing their neighbours about the proceedings. “If they are not invited or even if they are, it is common courtesy to let your neighbours know there will be a party on, and to expect things to get a little more crowded, with the cars, and noise levels a little louder, with the chatter and music.”