6. HAVING AN INVITATIONS COORDINATOR

• Why Have a Party?
• Selecting the Date and Time
• Determining the Guest List
• Booking the Party Place
• Selecting Foods and Beverages
• Having an Invitations Coordinator
• Having a Setup Crew
• Identifing Moderator
• Having a Cleanup Crew
• Follow-Up Thanks

Finding someone to address and mail out the party invitations will relieve you of lots of anxiety and stress. You already have your basic guestlist complied, so you can hand it off to a helper and get on with the rest of the planning.

Find someone to coordinate the invitations and you will have more time to do the main planning. Invitations with RSVP cards are really helpful. It not only helps to know how many will be attending, but who will be attending. Place cards and table seating can be easily accomplished by using the RSVP responses. My experience tells me that invitations should go out about 3 - 5 weeks in advance with the RSVP due within two weeks of receiving the invitation. Ideally, all arrangements need to be in place 7 -10 days in advance of the party.

For Mom's wedding, I purchased formal invitations that took about 3 1/2 hours of deciding on the proper wording and style , but for the birthday parties, my PC and printer did a fine job. If you have the time and the equipment, I recommend printing your own invitations. Always include a map, directions and information about accomodations for the out-of-town guests. Hotel and motel information immediately clues them into the fact that your own home is already full--something you will truly appreciate later.

7. HAVING A SETUP CREW