Manchester is a city that loves to party, and if you’ve got one of your own to plan, then there are a lot of things to think about and a lot of preparations to carry out in advance.
To give you a good framework on which to base the rest of your party planning efforts, here are just a few of the main aspects of putting together a good shindig in Manchester that you’ll have to get right.
Weighing up venue options
For small get-togethers of fewer than 15 people, you might consider hosting at home. However, if you’ve got a guest list as long as your arm, it’s wise to look into hiring a separate venue.
The venue you choose depends on your budget, your party’s theme, and the number of people who are set to attend.
For example, if you’ve got a big bash on your hands, you can actually hire out the Imperial War Museum North as an event-hosting space for up to 320 attendees.
If you’d prefer a more chilled-out atmosphere for around 70 people, Victoria Warehouse has a few options. Then there are places like Cane and Grain in the Northern Quarter or Revolucion de Cuba in Deansgate if quirkiness is at the top of the agenda.
Outside of these tried and tested venues, asking your favourite local pub if you can book a back room is always an option.
Buying fireworks for your party
Fireworks are an important party supply if you’re planning a particularly memorable occasion, and both outdoor and indoor varieties are available, depending on the season and the setup you’re working with.
Rather than looking to a supplier further afield, it’s better to find a firework shop based in Manchester to supply the pyrotechnics for proceedings. And depending on the products you pick, it could be wise to get a professional involved to actually set them off.
Always remember to check with the venue before using fireworks, as there may be rules and restrictions in place.
Getting good catering
Catering is another aspect of your party which you can either handle yourself or outsource to someone else. And if you’ve booked an event space at a venue which serves food, then you may even be required to use their catering, so once again your prior research will play into your hands here.
For straightforward buffet-style catering, the Manchester Platter Company could be a good option, for example. There are also all-purpose caters like Yettis Kitchen and Event Food Carts that are based in the local area, in addition to more specialist providers like Feast Africana.
Always remember to read reviews and get independent feedback from previous customers before picking a catering company for your party in Manchester. Also consider the theme of your event, as well as the budget you have available.
Strike the right balance
Speaking of budget, it’s worth putting this in place as soon as possible and making sure that it is well balanced and cost-effective, not weighted too far in any particular direction.
For example, there’s no point splashing out on a high end venue if you then can’t afford adequate catering to match.
If this is your first time planning a party, anticipate that some things will go wrong along the way, and factor in the potential for snafus and delays, rather than leaving everything to the last minute. This should be your ultimate aim when hosting any kind of event, whether you are based in Manchester or anywhere else in the UK.
