Event Planning 101

This page is a curated collection of Event Planning 101 articles, interviews, and advice.ย 

At ThymeBase, we buildย event planning softwareย and talk to event pros every day. We’ve learned a lot in these discussions with hundreds of event planners, and we collect the best ideas here under this tag.ย 

You’re here because you’re interested in growth – the growth of your event planning business and your skillset. And hopefully also some personal growth. You want to be a good event planner.

Jenna Phillips, Director of Private Events at 16 on Center, says, “A good planner is someone who can be creative when working with hurdles. In every situation, you need to be able to make things work with what you’ve got. At every event, there are last-minute changes or something that you thought might work aesthetically, just doesn’t. You need to be able to pivot at a moments’ notice.”

“Being an event planner is about having the confidence to roll up your sleeves and take care of things.”

So, where does this confidence come from? And the creativity?ย 

Mostly, it’s within you. You’re likely an event planner because you’re good at getting stuff done. Because you love bringing people together to craft memorable events. But confidence also comes from being prepared. And that’s where this blog (and this tag in particular) come in.ย 

Here, in the Event Planning 101 section, you’ll learn how to manage client expectations and how to find a mentor. You’ll find advice on hiring event staff, choosing color schemes, what goes into great day-of-event timelines. And you’ll learn what goes into the ultimateย event survival kit.

And if you’re really just starting out, we’ve even collected lists of standard terms every planner should know. There are just tons of articles here that will help you build confidence as a new planner.

You could just browse the articles, and I’d definitely recommend that sometime, but you can also use the blog’s search bar to look for specific keywords. Or you canย reach out to us here at ThymeBaseย and ask. The team is always happy to talk about events and help you find relevant articles. And if we don’t have anything suitable, we’ll reach out to our community of pros to find some great tips.

Choosing the Right Theme for Your Venue: 10 Inspired Ideas

Choosing a theme is one of the most important and challenging parts of event planning. The attendee demographics can give you some direction, but you must also consider the venueโ€™s atmosphere. A theme only works if the gathering takes place in a complementary environment. Here are 10 event theme ideas to consider based on your …

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Planning Tips for Hosting at Alternative Event Venues

Planning Tips for Hosting at Alternative Event Venues

Hosting company events at traditional venues like restaurants and hotel ballrooms is challenging. Outdoor spaces, tourism sites, and other alternative venues make things even more complicated. Here are seven essential planning tips you need to remember to host a successful event at alternative event venues. 1. Evaluate the Venue’s Amenities First and foremost, you need …

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Stick to Your Event Budget Without Sacrificing Your Vision

Stick to Your Event Budget Without Sacrificing Your Vision

You may have an incredible vision for your event, but it can be hard to translate into a realistic budget. Guests who attend a successful event experience something beautiful, exciting, and memorable. However, a smooth function takes hours of hard work to organize and pull together. An event budget is one of many important parameters …

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event planning rental checklist

The Ultimate Event Planning Rental Checklist

When the COVID-19 pandemic triggered global lockdowns in 2020, the event planning industry was particularly hard-hit. Approximately 79.5% of event planners reported significant business losses, while another 6% permanently closed. However, as more people have emerged from their homes thanks to widespread vaccinations, social gatherings are once again the norm. According to The Knot 2021 Real Weddings …

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10 Tips for Planning Outdoor Events This Summer

10 Tips for Planning Outdoor Events This Summer

Event planning has many moving parts year-round, but things get even more complicated when planning outdoor events. While they’re usually more informal and easygoing than indoor events, outdoor events need to account for more variables โ€“ including permits, restrooms, and weather conditions. Here are 10 outdoor event planning tips to make your first summer get-together …

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What Is Sustainable Event Planning and Where to Start

What Is Sustainable Event Planning and Where to Start?

If you’re wondering what sustainable event planning is all about, the following information can help you understand new methods of making your services greener. As an event planner, appealing to the masses is critical. Since eco-conscious clients are most interested in working with like-minded people, you’ll want to assure them you can deliver sustainable meetings, …

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10 Tips to Stay Organized When Planning a Large-Scale Event

10 Tips to Stay Organized When Planning a Large-Scale Event

Event planning can seem like one of the most stressful jobs, as it can entail endless tasks leading up to an event. For many, event planning can become complicated when maintaining a steady workflow while successfully planning a large-scale event. To make sure you don’t lose control of your organization, here are some tricks to …

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