How to plan and organise your event

Planning a party for any event can seem like a daunting task, but with few simple tips from successful caterers in London, you can ace the task and make that event memorable.

Numbers

Consider how many guests you can fit in your space - if you're planning an outdoor event; if it rains, everyone might end up inside! If you want to have big numbers in a smaller area, suggesting people drop in between specific hours rather than all arriving at a designated time.

What type of event will it be?

For a large crowd, a fork buffet is a much lesser fuss on the day than finger food, where you're constantly heating nibbles up and passing them around. A cold fork menu is simpler than hot and can be prepared in advance leaving you free to chat with guests.

Space

How big is your fridge? Clear out all the unwanted items by depleting stocks beforehand or asking a neighbour to store a few items. For hygiene reasons, you do need to ensure food is refrigerated. Think about ways you can stack items. Drinks require a lot of space, so chill them well in advance then transfer them to ice-filled bags.

Equipment and staff

Make life manageable by having big enough equipment for cooking and ample serving dishes, plates and glassware. Borrow these from friends if necessary. This saves your time, space and washing up. If you can, hire crockery, cutlery and glasses from a company that offers a 'return dirty' service. The small charge these companies make is well worth to your time and efforts. If you're planning a canapé party, it's always worth considering hiring professional event caterers in London. They can refill plates and do the serving, allowing you a free time to talk and mingle with your guests."

Write a time plan

A time plan is a handy tool to stay on top of your ideas. Write a list of almost everything that requires being ordered or arranged - flowers, food, drinks, helping hands, decorations, equipment. Assign sufficient days and check them off when they're finished. The food, drink and home preparation will require a more detailed plan, and it's worth assigning times as well as days to these.

Food safety

●     Take food out of the refrigerator just before you start to serve. If people are grazing over an extended period, it's best to put out smaller quantities and refill them once they've run out.

●     If you're serving hot food, make sure it stays hot while you're serving it.

●     When the party is over, if food has been out for 1 1/2 hours, it should go in the bin.

Five tips for planning an Asian wedding

From finding a priest to sourcing great Asian venues for Asian cuisine, aligning your wedding style with your religious or cultural preferences can be overwhelming. The wedding is once-in-a-lifetime event, so adding a dash of personality and happy surprises to your special day will help make it a day to remember. Whether you’re planning a traditional Asian wedding or an intimate celebration with an ultra-modern twist, these top five tips are sure to come in handy.

1. Make your wedding a truly memorable experience for your guests by choosing a fun or unique theme. The wedding theme should reflect your personality and be easy to follow. A royal theme might incorporate elements from regal weddings, such as folk performers, a procession of dancers and musicians or a puppet show, or a Bollywood theme might involve your families dressing up as iconic movie stars and entering the venue on a glam red carpet.

2. Your venue sets the tone for your wedding, so it’s essential you choose wisely. Keep in mind the size of the guest list as well as your total budget constraints when searching for a perfect Asian wedding venue. For a Chinese wedding, you might be after a rooftop space where you can hang lovely lanterns and watch a splendid fireworks display, or for a classic Arabian Nights-themed wedding, you might wish to have an outdoor venue where you can pitch a marquee or Bedouin tent that can be transformed with beautiful Moroccan carpets and furnishings. Many Asian event management businesses in London offer the best Asian wedding venues in London that fulfil your every need.

3. For a great Asian wedding that’s truly memorable, make sure to introduce an element of surprise. Hire a professional Bollywood dance choreographer to get your loved ones off their chairs and onto the dance floor. Or arrange a musician who can go from table to table, entertaining your guests with beautiful pieces of music.

4. If you’re expecting guests at your wedding reception that don’t drink, serve some tasty mocktails rather than those usual soft drinks. Why not choose a delicious mocktail that matches the theme colour of your wedding or that’s made with your favourite flavours?

5. Show off your great Asian culture and amp up the festive mood with a beautiful Asian spread. Choose a reputed Asian caterer or a venue that specialises in food from Asian heritage. A menu which includes local delicacies, chaat or street food is always a great option. Also, if you want your guests to remember the food for more than just the taste, why not name the dishes? ‘First date butter chicken’ or ‘Aunt Josie's beef rendang’ are dishes with a personal story that’ll be sure to get your guests talking.