Hosting an amazing party that your friends, family and colleagues will love does not have to be expensive. The cost of hiring a Melbourne function venue will vary depending on location, facilities and what the venue offers in terms of food quality and service. There are many things that you can do to ensure you keep your costs down for your upcoming event. Here are the Harbour Kitchen team’s top budget saving party tips.
DIY Invites
Eliminate the cost of invitations by creating your own. Free online design tools such as Canva, allow you to create eye catching invitations that you can either email or print. Canva is an easy to use design tool that creates professional, personalised designs that will impress your guests.
Another great way to invite your guests is by creating a Facebook event. Creating a Facebook event is easy to do and also allows you to monitor your RSVP’s. You can personalise your event invite with images (or even upload one of your amazing Canva designs).
DIY Gifting
For corporate events and private parties alike, it is always a lovely gesture to include a little gift for your guests. Food items are always well received at the end of the event – on trend treats such as popcorn, donuts, fairy floss or cupcakes can be packaged up DIY style with colourful noodle boxes or mini tin buckets (both of which can be sourced cheaply from discount party shops). Stickers, ribbons and anything sparkly always add a festive touch. Your celebration cake can double as a gift (to be packaged up at the end of the party) and help yourself candy buffets are always loads of fun.
DIY Themeing
Get creative and save money by organising your own decorations. Rope in some friends or colleagues to be on the ‘decorating committee’ and choose a colour scheme or theme. Inexpensive decorations can be sourced online or at one of Melbourne’s many discount party stores and you should speak to your event manager to see what time you can come to the venue to set up prior. Fresh flowers can be sourced cheaply from Melbourne’s markets and it’s worth asking your function venue if they have any vases that you can use to create your own arrangements. Draping, garlands and lanterns always create a festive feel and votive candles, pea or festoon lighting always create ambience.
Choose Your Date Wisely
Saturday and Friday evenings are generally the most popular for hosting events at Melbourne function venues. Speak to your venue about dates and times and the differences in minimum spends or venue hire fees. If you are on a budget and can be flexible with your dates, then it is worth having a conversation with your function venue about possible savings.
