If you are planning your first fundraising event, then you need as much help as you can get to make it a success. For example, use your budget on the rental equipment, such as a nice table and chair rentals near Baltimore. Work closely with your staff to ensure the event is seamless. Also, do not forget to tell everyone about your big gala, so your charity can earn as much support as possible. Read on for more tips about organizing your first fundraising gala.

Tip #1: Establish a Budget

Establishing a budget should be one of the first items on your fundraising event to-do list. You cannot effectively plan the event without a budget in mind. Once you have an overall dollar amount, then you can separate the budget by important details. For example, a significant portion of your budget will go toward a venue and rental equipment, such as audio-visual equipment and a stage rental. Another part of your budget should go toward catering details, decorations, and marketing your event.

Tip #2: Plan the Setup

In the days leading up to your fundraising gala, speak with your event staff about the plan for the event. Your staff should know the timeline of when food will be served, guests will speak, and other festivities will begin. If you have any expectations of your event staff—such as their involvement in promoting the charity—then make them known before the event. Remain in contact with your event staff throughout the event, or put a trusted individual in charge to act as your proxy.

Tip #3: Market the Event

Ensure that your fundraising gala is well-marketed in the months, weeks, and days leading to the event. Send out email reminders to your guests, and post details about the event and your charity with all of your vendors. During the event, place fliers about the charity next to your serving platters and on guests’ tables. This will help reinforce the reason that your guests are attending this fundraising gala.

Planning a wedding takes up a lot of your time, so don’t make the mistake of planning every detail yourself. You can trust others with finding rental equipment, catering companies, and serving platters in Annapolis. Keep wedding planning stress low by avoiding the following mistakes.

Leaving your guest list for later.

It is exciting to begin planning all of the wedding details, such as colors, decorations, and china patterns. However, these details are not the most important factor when you first begin to plan your wedding. Your guest list should be at the top of your to-do list, because most of your wedding details will fluctuate based on your guest list. For example, your venue will need an approximate guest count, and you cannot reserve table and chair rentals without a solid guest count. You do not need the final number until closer to the wedding date, but you should have a close estimate before you start to plan the rest of the wedding.

Planning the event by yourself.

It is okay to delegate some of your wedding tasks to your close friends and family. You will be much happier and less stressed if you trust others to help you plan the wedding. You can trust your friends to help you find prices on venues, catering, and wedding rentals. You can also work with your fiancé to determine which flowers, decorations, and favors should be at your wedding and the reception to follow. Relieve some of your planning stress, and you will have a much better time at your wedding.

Stressing over the little details.

You may have certain ideas and details that would be a great addition to your wedding, such as a special favor or decoration. However, if this is a minor detail, then it should not occupy your planning. Your wedding should be a fun event for everyone, but it should be the most fun for you and your fiancé. Don’t ruin your wedding experience by stressing over small details.

Summer is a few months away, but that doesn’t mean you cannot start planning summer parties now. Your summer parties can use a few helpful additions to ensure they are a complete success. You can take advantage of rental equipment near Annapolis —such as table and chair rentals, serving platters, and dance floor rentals—to make your summer party a hit with your guests. Watch the video and read on for planning tips for your next summer party.

• Consider renting fans, misters, and shade options to keep your guests cool throughout the party.
• Keep insect-repellants stationed around the party. These can be in the form of torches, candles, and sprays.
• Set up a dance floor rental and audio rental equipment to keep your guests entertained.
• Set up table and chair rentals to ensure everyone has a place to sit and set down their food and drinks.