Make sure your guests are comfortable during your party

 This is something that is often disregarded by those who are planning a party. The classic scenario: you make a guest list, your parents make another, and your godparents create their own. In the end, if you don’t have strict control over the people who will attend your party, surely more than one will leave the event with a bad impression. Maybe there wasn’t enough food or enough tables to sit everyone and what can you do? There are other things that can create discomfort among your guests.

For this reason, if you are on the planning stages of what you hope will be a memorable Quinceañera, make sure to take people’s comfort into account. This is important if you want everyone to have an unforgettable memory and speak wonders of your party.

The following tips will help you achieve this purpose:

1. Estimate the amount of space in the hall. When making your guest list, consider the place where the party will take place. This will allow you to determine how many people you can invite. You can’t have your guests packed in a room like sardines in a can; they won’t be able to move freely or interact with others. If space allows, you can create certain “spots,” such as a corner, a dance floor, or an eating area, in which guests can break away and chat.

2. Count the number of seats. When planning a formal event in which guests will be seated, as in a Quinceañera, you must make sure that there is enough space between guests as well as between tables. There is almost nothing worse than having to eat in a constrained place. If you can comfortably seat 12 people in a table, we recommend that you sit 10 in order to have more room.

3. Check the temperature. A crowd of people in a hall generates a great amount of body heat, which is why it is important that you carefully control the temperature. During the cold season, go easy on the heating to keep your guests comfortable. During hot days, it’s time to turn up the air conditioner. You can’t always please everyone, but try to please as many people as you can. When it comes to a party out in the open, consider climate changes as well as Mother Nature. In an outdoor summer party, for example, consider the sunlight and how much shade is available. You can use tents and umbrellas, because guests wouldn’t want to sit in the sun for hours. Also, don’t expect people to celebrate outdoors in extreme weather conditions. Considering this, you must also have a place where people can go to if they feel uncomfortable.

4. Arrange food and beverages. People’s likes and dislikes are as diverse as the guests themselves. For this reason, you must have meal options that are available in accordance to the menu. Besides, there are people who are allergic to certain foods or have strict diets. Being aware of these variations can help you plan adequately. Buffets allow guests to choose what they like. Great meal options include pastas, bird meat, or a healthy meal with vegetables. Make sure there are enough non-alcoholic beverages. Likewise, it’s a good idea to have a meal especially for kids in case there are many children among your guests.

5. Coordinate the music. Loud music can interfere with conversations and can become a nuisance. Give instructions to keep the background music low when guests are dining, so their voices can be heard. Also, don’t seat elderly guests close to the speakers because they will be uncomfortable, especially if the music does not suit their generation.

You don’t have to plan all this on your own, of course. Speak to the person or persons who will pay for the hall rental, since you will be busy planning a million other things, right?

This post is also available in: Spanish