Feeling Overwhelmed with Party Planning?
If you’ve ever tried to plan a party, you’ll know how quickly the stress kicks in. Most people start with food, drinks, music, or even what to wear, but those aren’t the first things you should be worrying about. That’s why so many hosts feel confused, over budget, or end up with a party that doesn’t quite work.
So, where should you actually start? At Feel Good Events, we’ve planned and styled thousands of parties in Melbourne. We know that the most memorable parties and events are built on a few key decisions made early. Here are seven things you should think about before diving into the details and booking Melbourne venues and party suppliers.
1. Decide What Type of Party You're Planning
This is really important to think about before you do anything. Do you want your party to be the “party of the year” with high energy, dancing, and a buzzing atmosphere? Or do you prefer a laid back party vibe, like friends gathered in the backyard with food and drinks around the fire?
Nailing this decision first will influence everything else from your venue choice, your entertainment, your décor, even your guest list. If you say you want a wild dance party but plan it in a space with no dance floor or heating, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
2. Start at the End
What do you want people to say about your party afterwards? Do you want them to remember it as the wildest 21st or 30th they’ve ever been to? Or do you want it to stand out as the most stylish dinner party of the year?
When you’re clear on the “party story” you want your guests to take away, you can start planning towards creating that outcome.
3. Put the Guest Experience First
It might be your birthday or your big event, but the truth is the night isn’t really about you, it’s about your guests. If they have a good time, you’ll enjoy yourself too. Bored guests will usually mean a bored and un happy party host.
Think about what you want them to experience from the moment they arrive until the last drink is poured. Do you want them laughing and dancing all night, or relaxing in a beautiful space with great food and conversation? Designing around your guests is the surest way to guarantee success.
Be realistic about what you have planned. Think about every detail of your party and ask yourself one question: Is this going to make the guest experience better or worse?
4. Stimulate All Five Senses
A truly great party doesn’t just look good, it feels good in every sense. The more you stimulate your guests’ 5 senses, the better the experience and the party will be.
- Sight: Lighting, décor, and styling.
- Sound: Music that matches the mood (this can make or break your night).
- Smell: Great food, scented candles, or fresh flowers.
- Taste: Grazing tables, fun food stations, or signature cocktails.
- Touch: Interactive décor, textured styling pieces, or event novelty props.
Covering all five senses makes the atmosphere richer and more memorable for your guests.
5. Plan for Fun Right From the Start
What’s “fun” for one guest might not be fun for another. For some it’s dancing, for others it might be a photo booth, games, or just catching up with friends.
Think about who you’ve invited and make sure there are different ways for everyone to enjoy themselves. A packed dance floor is great, but don’t forget quieter areas where guests can chat, laugh, and relax too.
6. Work Out Your Biggest Stress
For most hosts, stress comes from a few key worries:
- What if no one shows up?
- What if I run out of food or drinks?
- What if people don’t have fun?
These fears are normal, but they don’t have to stop you from celebrating. Work out what worries you most and put a plan in place. If it’s logistics, bring in a professional. If it’s being the centre of attention, shift the focus onto the guest experience instead of yourself.
If you plan around these things early they are less likely to happen.
7. Decide What's Most Important to You
Every host has at least one non-negotiable. For some, it’s an incredible food menu. For others, it’s a high energy dance floor or a statement feature like a massive floral installation or light up dance floor.
Work out what matters most to you and make that the priority in your planning. For me, it’s always dancing, so I make sure the music, lighting, and dance floor are locked in first. The reason why dancing is my number one is because dancing releases happy endorphins which make the party experience more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
The difference between an average party and an amazing one usually comes down to planning. If you take time to think through these seven things before you book your party venue or order your catering, you’ll set yourself up for a party that feels effortless, fun, and truly memorable.
Author – Marcus Prentice – Partyologist, DJ, Event & Wedding Planner
How Feel Good Events Can Help
If you’re already feeling overwhelmed by planning a party in Melbourne, you don’t have to do it on your own. At Feel Good Events, we help Melbourne clients create parties that feel stylish, stress free, full of energy and FUN.
From figuring out the right party vibe to designing décor that stimulates all five senses, our team handles everything from party planning and styling to party logistics so you can focus on enjoying yourself.
Whether you want the “party of the year” or a relaxed gathering with friends, we’ll make sure the atmosphere, energy level, and details all line up with the experience you want for your guests.
If you want your next party to be remembered for all the right reasons, get in touch with Feel Good Events and let us do the heavy lifting for you.
Party Planning FAQs
What should I do first when planning a party?
The first step is to decide what type of party you actually want. Do you want a high energy night with dancing, or a relaxed gathering with food and conversation? Once you’re clear on the party vibe, all the other decisions (venue, entertainment, décor) will fall into place much more easily.
How far in advance should I start planning a party?
For bigger events (milestone birthdays, weddings, corporate functions), we recommend starting 3–6 months ahead to lock in venues and suppliers. For smaller parties at home, 4–6 weeks is usually enough time to organise food, drinks, and décor without feeling rushed.
What makes a party successful?
A great party comes down to the guest experience. If your guests are relaxed, engaged, and having fun, you’ll enjoy yourself too. Think about stimulating all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch), and make sure there are different ways for people to connect and have fun.
How do I stop stressing about party planning?
Party stress usually comes from worrying about things like no shows, running out of food, or guests not having fun. The key is to identify what worries you most and plan around it. For example, if you’re nervous about logistics, bring in a professional to help. If you hate being the centre of attention, shift the focus onto your guests and their experience.
The biggest party stress is usually caused by leaving everything until the last minute so plan early.
What should I prioritise in my budget?
Spend money on the things that will actually shape the guest experience. Music and sound are critical (a bad sound system can ruin the night), followed by food, drinks, and décor that match your vibe. Extras like cakes, props, or entertainment are great, but make sure the basics are covered first.
How many people do I need for a good party atmosphere?
It’s less about the number of guests and more about how the space is used. A small group of 20 in a cosy venue with good music and lighting can feel amazing. A group of 100 in a room that’s too big can feel flat. Match your guest numbers to the venue size and think about how you want the party energy to flow.
What's the one thing most people forget when planning a party?
They forget to plan for fun from the very beginning. It’s easy to get caught up in food, décor, and logistics, but the atmosphere and activities are what guests will actually remember. Think about how people will laugh, connect, and enjoy themselves, then build those elements in.
