8 Tips for Event Planning on a Budget

If you’re planning an in-person business event, you’ll probably want to do it in style. That said, some companies might, quite reasonably, worry that meeting their guests’ expectations will soon become costly. Therefore, is it always necessary to break the bank, or can you deliver a great experience without a huge outlay?

One of the UK’s leading names for planning live gatherings, ConnectIn Events

• excel at event planning on a budget. Here they’ll run through their eight top tips for making a little go a long way.

8 Tips for Event Planning on a Budget

Planning an event on a budget shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality. In fact, if you’re clever about catering, decorations, and entertainment, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be every bit as engaging as more ‘luxurious’ occasions. There’s plenty you can do to keep costs down without harming guest experiences, from tweaking schedules to tapping into your employees’ hidden talents.

Starting with catering costs, here are the best ways to trim the fat while keeping the quality:

Catering

The food you provide is often one of the highlights of an in-person gathering. For anyone planning an event on a budget, you can trim the fat in some unique ways:

• Mix and Match: Not every occasion requires a five-course feast. For many, you can reduce expenses by offering guests the chance to self-serve a mix and match of cheaper foodstuffs. Popular options include rice bowls, tacos, and ice cream machines.
• Schedule Wisely: Generally speaking, evening meals will be more expensive than those held earlier in the day. If you’re event planning on a budget, you can make serious savings by staging a lunchtime, or even morning occasion.
• Pay By the Pint: Alcoholic drinks can put a serious dent in your finances. However, it’s possible to work around this by paying for units drunk rather than per head.

Decorations

Decor is a crucial feature of your event’s theme. That said, a little ingenuity can help you save money on the likes of lighting and table dressing. Anyone who finds themselves event planning on a budget can create the right mood for less by embracing the following tips:

• Spend Less on Lighting: Professional lighting can look amazing, but more frugal planners can still create an intimate vibe with just candlelight and sensibly-placed LEDs.
• Repurpose Arrangements: Some venues will be open to letting you reuse perfectly good floral arrangements from previous occasions rather than just binning them.

Entertainment

How does entertainment fit into event planning on a budget? Here are the top tips for making sure that a strict financial plan doesn’t get in the way of a good time.

• Use Your Connections: You might not need to scour the country to find acts to perform at your gathering. Ask friends, family members, and employees if they know anyone who might like to perform. Who knows, you might be (not literally) sitting on the next Taylor Swift or David Blaine!
• Negotiate a Package: Some entertainment companies will offer reductions if you commit to using them for repeat business. If an occasion takes place annually, this could result in big savings for anyone event planning on a budget.
• DIY Fun: Not every event needs to have a band, comedian, or magician. In fact, you can make your own fun with the likes of company-wide quizzes, talent shows, and even karaoke — if you’re willing to watch Bob from accounts unleashing his inner-Freddie Mercury!

A Favourite for Event Planning on a Budget

Finding the right balance between economy and excellence is one of the most challenging aspects of event management. Aside from a small percentage of bigger companies, most organisations will have some limits on what they can spend. If you don’t know how to get the most out of your funds, this can quickly lead to a reduced spectacle.

Planning an event on a budget is much easier if you have a reliable guide to oversee and orchestrate it. Based in the thriving North West of England, ConnectIn Events have the expertise and experience needed to get the maximum possible out of your investment. They’ll take their time to understand your limitations and objectives to make sure that the final result is everything you’ve imagined. From product launches and conferences, to awards shows and team parties, they do it all.

Talk to them today to discuss your plans, and how they can help.

I'm a professional writer and author of many sites. I want to explore the world through my writing.