These think-ahead steps from professional party planners will help you enjoy your party as much as your guests.

Gambit offers a mini party planning checklist to keep you organized and on schedule, but there are other essentials that make a party fun and memorable. Here, three local event planners offer their ...

Choose a date far enough in advance to give you time to prepare. Be aware of conflicting local events and holidays. The more complex the event, the more time you will need to plan. Please remember, ...

Contact internal or external speakers (faculty, student speakers, alumni, outside speakers) and confirm their availability for the date of your event. If you are inviting an external speaker, notify ...

Allow six weeks if it is a very large function or if outside services are required. If you use an event planner/coordinator, use this schedule to check on his or her progress 1 month before the party: ...