If you haven't got far with your planning yet, please feel free to ask for our help.

If it is a small party, a hotel, village hall or community centre may be better option than a bar or pub.  Children are often not allowed in many bars and pubs, so please check in advance whether people under 18 are allowed, especially if you are planning a family event.  For larger parties, hotels and conference venues are often very accommodating.  Don't forget to arrange for catering if your event starts early or requires your guests to travel long distances to be with you.

For an evening event you need to plan it so that all the food and possibly speeches are out of the way by 9.30pm at the very latest.  This will give you a balance of a quiet time to chat with old friends before and during the meal/buffet with plenty of time left to dance.  Also make sure if you can that your venue has access for entertainment prior to the invited guests arriving.  There is nothing more unprofessional than having the performers carrying in and setting up their equipment while your guests are arriving.