80’s Themed Party Series: Part 2: Our Party Planning Timeline

As I mentioned recently in part one of this series, my Daughter Anika decided that for her sweet sixteen party she wanted to have an 80’s theme. When I think 80’s party I think costumes, and when I think costumes I think music and dancing, so a dance party is what we created.

We decided to have the part at our local community center and for the next two months, my house was up to my ears in DIY projects and decorations like these Rubik Cubes.

Today I wanted to give you a peek at the party timeline I created personally to help myself plan for the big day. I tried to follow it as closely as I could to keep myself on track for what became my personal largest solo party endeavor to date. While I created this specifically for her 80’s sweet sixteen birthday party, you can modify and use it as a good guideline for whatever event you’re planning too!

Anika’s Birthday Timeline

June 1st: Book venue; Create cards

June 15th: Book DJ; Photographer; Set budget

July 1st: Create online save-the-date; Order invitations; reserve any additional rentals if needed

July 15th: Create map/layout; Begin DIY crafts; Figure out cake; Plan Costumes; Update save-the-date post

August 1st: Secure food; Purchase: decorations, candy; Mail invitations; Create slide show; Update save-the-date post

August 15th: Touch base with DJ, photographer; Update save-the-date-post

August 21st: Pay venue and provide insurance

August 23rd: Do a final walkthrough of venue; Create balloon arches; Update save-the-date post

August 24th: Get ice; Pack decorations in the car; Confirm pizza delivery; Final update post on save-the-date

3PM-5: 30 PM: Decorate Venue + DJ set up

5:30PM-6: 00 PM: Get ready

6:15 PM: Pizza delivered, Photographer set up

6:30PM-9: 30 PM: Party time!!!

9:45PM-11: 00 PM: Clean up venue

The Actual Planning:

As this was a guideline, there were a few things that happened a little bit differently. Instead of purchasing all of the other decorations and candy I needed at once, I placed smaller orders on Amazon throughout the two months. I also made a trip to Costco a couple of days prior to the event to stock up on beverages. Instead of purchasing a cake we made four dozen cupcakes the day before the party. For the most part though, taking a few minutes to write something down like this really helped me stay on track with things that I needed to accomplish to make the party a success.

And I believe it was a big success, with somewhere between 40-50 people, mostly teenagers, dancing, snacking, and snapchatting the event. 😉

Next time I’ll share some of the signs and other DIY decorations we made. One thing I really enjoyed about an 80’s sweet sixteen party is that the decor can be cheesy. Plastic tablecloths and balloons? Not a problem, in fact, the tackier the better!