Hosting Your Party: At Home vs. Venue

When you’re in the process of planning your party, one of the most important decisions you need to make is where to host it. Should you have it at home or hire a venue? Don’t stress – Feel Good Events is here to help! We’ve put together this blog post to help you decide which option is best for your party. We’ll take you through factors to consider, as well as the pros and cons of each option, making your party planning as stress free as possible!

Leaning towards a gathering at home? Hosting a party at your own place exudes a unique charm. Let’s delve into the pros and cons of this option!

PRO: Comfort and Familiarity

The perks of hosting at home begin with the comfort and familiarity that your space offers. If the idea of planning at an external venue seems stressful, having your party at home can help alleviate this tension. You’ll find yourself surrounded by your own possessions, creating an instant calming effect. This familiar environment will make the whole party feel more relaxed rather than a high-stakes event!

PRO: Personalisation

When you’re hosting your party at home, you have the freedom to decorate however you like. You won’t be limited by any venue restrictions. You also won’t be limited to strict bump-in and bump-out times that most venues have! Take all the time you need to set up and decorate your party space just how you want it.

PRO: Cost-Effective

The expenses of external venues are one of the major budget-eaters in event planning. Opting to host your party at home can help you save on these costs, allowing you to allocate your budget towards décor, entertainment, food, drinks, and more. And let’s be real – stretching your party budget without sacrificing the fun is always a win-win!

CON: Space Limitations

Depending on the size of your guest list and the size of your home, you might run into some limitations. While your house might be great for intimate gatherings or dinner parties, you might have some trouble accommodating a larger quantity of guests. This means that if you choose to have your party at home, you will likely have to cut down your guest list. You’re also going to be at a space disadvantage if you’ve got a lot of furniture in your house and you may have to end up moving it out.

CON: More Work for You

One often overlooked aspect of hosting a party at home is the significant workload it places on the host. Prior to even thinking about decorating, there’s the extensive preparation. Cleaning your house, rearranging furniture, and making sure everything is in order, all before your party date! When the actual event rolls around, unless you’ve hired professionals, you’ll find yourself responsible for managing food & drinks, entertainment, and various other logistics throughout the night. This can be extremely stressful and can even detract from your own enjoyment of your party!

Once the party ends, the cleanup begins. While everyone else gets to go home to bed, you’ve got a date with dishes, décor, and general tidying up! You always have the option of hiring professionals, but this will add to your overall costs.

CON: Noise Limitations

The age-old house party hosts conundrum – keeping the peace with the neighbours! Nobody wants to deal with an unexpected knock on the door from a less-than-thrilled neighbour or an impromptu visit from the local law enforcement. After all, you’re aiming for a party, not a potential noise complaint!

There are ways around making enemies for life with the people you live next door to. Check out our blog post on how to throw a party at home without upsetting your neighbours!

CON: Your Guests May Be Disconnected

Hosting a party at home can sometimes lead to a disjointed atmosphere and disconnected guests. If your guests end up scattered in different rooms within your house, it can significantly dampen the overall energy and party ambiance. Ensuring your guests remain all together throughout the event is key to creating an engaging and unforgettable experience! This can be challenging when you’re hosting a party at home.

CON: Wear and Tear

Another significant drawback to hosting your party at home is the potential for increased wear and tear and the risk of damage to your property. House parties tend to accommodate a larger number of guests within a small space, increasing the likelihood of accidents or unintended damage. This could include scuffs on the walls, spills on your furniture, or even more substantial harm to your home. Constantly worrying about potential damage to your home can detract from your own enjoyment of your party!

Not interested in hosting at home? Hiring a venue presents a unique set of advantages and disadvantages:

PRO: Venue Options

When it comes to booking a venue, the possibilities are endless. With a plethora of options at your fingertips, finding the perfect fit for your requirements is a breeze! As long as you kick off your search well in advance, there’s no doubt you’ll discover an option that aligns seamlessly with your event, guest count, theme, and personal style.

Don’t know where to start with your search? Check out our venue spotlights page for some inspiration!

PRO: Guest List Flexibility

One of the best perks of hiring a venue is that you won’t have to compromise on your guest list. Choose the perfect sized venue to accommodate the number of guests you plan to invite without having to stress if they’ll all fit!

PRO: Help from the Professionals

Most venues come equipped with experienced teams ready to handle your setup, catering, and other behind-the-scenes aspects of your party. This allows you to enjoy your celebration while the experts handle the event’s logistics.

PRO: Enjoy Your Party More

One of the significant advantages of hiring a venue is the freedom to enjoy your party to the fullest without constantly worrying about the mess or potential damage to your personal space. When you host at home, the burden of cleaning, maintenance, and the wear and tear on your property can take away from your ability to relax and have fun. By hiring a venue, you can let loose and fully participate in your party!

CON: Costs

While venues offer great amenities, they come at a price. In addition to hire costs, you’ll need to consider expenses such as catering, bar services, AV Equipment, and more. This can all add up quickly! This also means that, depending on your budget, you might have less funds to allocate towards your decorating and styling.

CON: Logistics & Flexibility

Another downside to hiring a venue is the coordination and logistics involved in decorating and furnishing the venue. Quite often venues will start off as a blank canvas and will require you to invest time, effort, and money into sourcing, transporting, and setting up decorations and furniture. Additionally, most venues will have strict bump-in and bump-out times when it comes to bringing in equipment for your event. This might limit how much you can bring in based on how long it will take to set everything up. Coordinating deliveries, arranging the setup, and ensuring everything aligns with your party vision and style can become an added layer of complexity.

Another thing to consider is that if you want your party to have a theme, this might limit your choice of venue. You want to make sure your venue matches your theme and doesn’t clash with it. For example, if you’re having a disco theme, you probably want to avoid booking a ballroom! You can check out more tips for choosing the right theme for your party here!

CON: More to Plan in Advance

Another disadvantage to choosing to hire a venue is the need for extensive planning in advance. Unlike hosting at home, where you have more flexibility with last-minute adjustments, venues often require you to lock in your plans weeks or even months ahead. This means having your guest list, theme, and other details finalised much sooner, leaving less room for spontaneity and late additions.

Choosing between hosting your party at home or booking a venue is no small decision, and there are a lot of factors to consider. Hopefully this blog post helps to make your choice a little easier, preparing you for a memorable and stress-free celebration!

Want Feel Good Events to help you plan and organise your next event? Get in contact with our expert party planners to get started!