The complete guide to planning an event

Organising an event of any size can be daunting - the pressure to get it right and make sure all of your guests have a brilliant time and go away remembering the day or night for all the right reasons. It can be hard to know where to start, what options are out there for you, and to come up with an event that everyone is going to love.

Where to hold your event

The first thing to lock down is your event venue - the size and scale of your event will largely dictate the best place to hold it. Some common choices in the events we organise are:

At Home: There's nothing like the comfort and familiarity of your own space. It's ideal for intimate gatherings of family and friends and is a great way to keep the budget low if that's a consideration for you. Deck out your living area with themed decorations, creating a cozy yet festive atmosphere.

In the Garden: Weather permitting...if you have a garden, it can be the perfect canvas for a party. It's a lovely option for daytime events or starlit evening affairs - we've seen plenty of lovely drinks parties and dinner parties hosted in the great outdoors.

Hiring a Venue: When your guest list grows or you're looking for something more grand, hiring a venue is your go-to. We have a bunch of the UK's top venues available for hire through Togather, from rooftop bars with stunning views through to repurposed railway arches and theatres

Food and drinks

Getting the food and drink right at your party is crucial – the right menu sets the mood, satisfies taste buds, and keeps your guests energy high. It's more than just eating and drinking; it’s about creating a shared experience with the people most important to you.

Whether it’s innovative canapés beyond anything your guests have seen before or a personalised themed cocktail that becomes the night's talking point, your choices can make your event memorable. Remember, when guests recall your party, the flavours and toasts often take centre stage - make sure those memories delicious and cheers-worthy.

Food trucks

Food trucks are where Togather started back in 2017 - they're our bread and butter and, thousands of events down the line, we still believe they're a brilliant option for any event. Here's why:

Diverse options: Food trucks offer a range of choices that can cater to various tastes. Whether it's classic street food or exotic, authentic flavours, there's likely a truck that fits the bill.

Relaxed atmosphere: Having food trucks instead of traditional catering tends to create a more laid-back vibe. Guests can pick what they like, when they like, allowing for a more relaxed and sociable setting.

Less hassle for you: Opting for food trucks means less time spent on food preparation and clean up. It's a handy way to provide good food while also getting to enjoy your own party - and after all your planning, you should be enjoying every second!

Unique Touch: Food trucks can add a unique element to your party. They're not just about the food; their distinct styles often contribute to the overall ambiance of the event, plus you have the option to completely personalise the food, naming menu items yourself etc.

Don't know where to start? Take a look at 25 of our best food trucks to get some inspo. The cost of hiring a food truck varies depending on the cuisine you choose and how many people you're feeding, but you can find some general advice on the cost of hiring a food truck on our blog.

Caterers

If you're looking for a more formal dining experience for your guests, a more 'traditional' caterer is a great option. They can set up either buffet-style or serve guests at their table and just because it's a more traditional option doesn't mean there needs to be any compromise on taste. Our caterers make sure every dish packs a flavourful punch and your guests leave with a great taste in their mouth. Top reasons to seek outside catering include:

Stress-Free Planning: Caterers handle the food details, from menu creation to preparation, allowing you to enjoy yourself on the day!

Professional Service: Experienced in serving large groups, caterers ensure timely and elegant presentation of food - something that's hard to achieve if you cater the party yourself from home

Diverse Menu Options: Caterers offer a wide range of menu choices, adaptable to various dietary preferences so all guests feel included, and can also match dishes to your party theme if you have one!

Quality and Taste: With professional chefs at the helm, you can kick your heels up worry-free knowing that they'll dish up high-quality, delicious food that's sure to impress your guests.

Bar hire

If you're hosting your party at home or in a dry hire venue (if you're not sure what that is, you can find out more here!), you'll want to consider hiring a bar to keep the party going! A cocktail bar, Prosecco van or fully stocked bar (all of which can also serve non-alcoholic drinks too) all bring an extra little something to your event. When booking a bar through Togather, you have a few different options:

Open Bar: You pay for all drinks up front at the time of booking
Cash Bar: You pay a hire fee and then guests pay cash for their drinks at your event
Mixed: You pre-pay for a certain amount, and then once that limit is hit guests pay for themselves

In terms of cost, it really depends what type of drinks you're looking for, and how many drinks per hour you want your guests to have. It's not easy to give an exact estimate but we can give you a rough outline of how much you might expect to pay.

When it comes to setups, we've got all kinds of bars so are guaranteed to have something to match whatever you're looking for. Horseboxes, airstreams, Piaggio Apes, VW campervans and a huge range of indoor bar setups - there's nothing our suppliers can't do! We've even gathered a roundup of some of our top mobile bars to make your search even easier.

Staff

You don't want to put all the effort in to organising your event only to spend the night running around serving food and keeping glasses topped up, so you've got to make sure you've got the right staff to keep things running smoothly on the day. Hiring in some waiters, waitresses and bartenders will allow you to really relax and enjoy your party whilst they take care of your guests!

Is that enough to get you started? We hope so. As ever, we're here to help with all aspects of your event organising - even if you're just starting out and need some advice and to be pointed in the right direction. Either tell us about your event or get in touch and we'd be happy to help.