Lavish 21st Party - What am I missing?

I'm throwing a 21st party!

I seem to be all good with it, but as usual - coming here for advice in case there's anything I missed.

Here are the deets:

  • about 180 people
  • function centre by the beach
  • 3 course meal
  • Booked a Dj Photographer Videographer
  • Not interested in photobooth
  • Entertainment including live dancing, comedy and skits etc all booked and arranged
  • Cake sorted
  • Polaroid photographer also hired for 50 shots

It's a suit and tie event, but not overly fancy.

Any ideas/decor concepts/things I wish I had known/done etc. that you want to share? Any ideas on any centrpieces/table pieces or decorations I should use. Perhaps photo ideas or something?

Thanks all,
Sincerely, excited almost 21 year old.

Comments

  • +37

    Have you organised any type of guestbook? A place for guests to write down well wishes.

    • +14

      I hadn't but this is one of the reasons I come to this amazing community lol.

      I'll get onto that now!

      • +4

        Are you sure you want to make it a suit and tie event?

        If you want your guests to cut loose suits aren't the most comfortable attire, and it doesn't fit your beach-side location.

        • +5

          Doesn't make a difference at weddings?

  • +56

    what are u missing.. my invite!

    • +31

      check the spam folder

      • +19

        *Ahem!*

        Have you booked a celebrity appearance yet?

  • +6

    You forgot to invite me

  • Alcohol?

    • +2

      that was a given.

      • +6

        Games and equipment to display feats of strength?

        • +6

          don't forget the "Airing of Grievances"

  • +5

    Instagram/Snapchat hash-tag-thing-a-mi-bob

    • +3

      Awesome, and yes. I'll be using a hashtag #unistudent1s21stparty

      • +28

        A better hashtag?

      • +8

        You can create a custom snap chat filter for the night.

        You pay approx $20, set a date, time and 'fence' a location.
        Everyone taking snaps can use the custom filter.

        Cheap and cool!

        • Why though - you dont get to keep the snapchats right?

        • +1

          @chriskq: you can save the photos you take

        • -1

          @chriskq: What is this, 2015?

  • +12

    Security?

    • won't be rowdy - it's largely a family affair.

      • +25

        Stri… huh… family… nvm…

        • +1

          lol, don't judge.

        • +1

          @unistudent1:

          Entertainment including live dancing, comedy and skits etc all booked and arranged
          including live dancing
          live dancing
          dancing

      • +23

        You may not be rowdy but, unfortunately, gate crashers can be. Information on parties end up online, you might want to be careful

      • you dont wanna be the next corey worthington

        • +1

          i remember when they changed his TV name to corey delaney to try hide his identity after they'd already said his real name 100x

      • +2

        Why? sound like cost as much as wedding. my 21st got bottle ages 21 years. we out for dinner with my family.

      • +6

        large family affair.. 180+ guests…. you're kidding yourself. You need security.

  • +12

    Booked a Dj Photographer Videographer

    Wah, multi skilled person!

    Polaroid photographer also hired for 50 shots

    Only 50? You have 180 guests?

    • +16

      The photographer is being paid in Alcohol.

    • +3

      Yeah, but I imagine I wont be taking photos with each person - largely group shots (and mostly of me to be quite frank)

      Polaroids are really expensive. He's using a high end "wide" one - almost $1 per photo + labour

      • +11

        I'm gonna warn you that Polaroid photos are extremely popular at photos and everyone will want one with everyone they know. Source: have brought a Fuji Instax Mini to parties before.

      • +1

        You can buy cheapish Polaroid cameras + printers for the night, guests can take as many shots as they like

        • Yeah thats what one of our friends had at a party. Good bit of fun! Who cares about the quality ($1/shot is ridiculous). I've got little polaroids on my work cubicle that were more fun than anything.

  • +25

    Cocaine?

    • +6

      yeee…nah.

      • +59

        naaah yeah

    • +2

      And I read the OP as "coke sorted".

      • +1

        glad im not the only one

  • +6

    Security… plus a secure place if people are bringing presents. Critical thing for you is to have as little responsibility as possible on the night itself so you can just enjoy yourself and have a great time. Happy almost birthday!

  • +14

    Strippers?

    • +4

      Done

    • +9

      Name checks out

  • Hookers?

    • nah already got the former.

      • +1

        What's the difference?

        • +1

          Really? One is a rip off, and the other I'm saving for my retirement.

        • +9

          You pay the strippers to turn up. You pay a hooker to leave afterwards.

  • +12

    Bikies

  • +8

    Register the party with the police. That way, if you get a noise complaint lodged against you the police are on your side when they turn up.

    Source: threw many parties and got many more warnings than I should have.

    Oh and put a letter in the box of all your neighbours in a 2 house radius around you. Tell them that it's registered with the police and that you hope they understand there will be a bit of additional noise that night.

    • +3

      It's at a function hall, so she'll be right.

    • +3

      Register the party with the police. That way, if you get a noise complaint lodged against you the police are on your side when they turn up.

      That's the dumbest thing I've read all day. If you are breaking the local noise regulations (for example music after 10PM, etc) and police are called, they will most certainly not be on your side when they turn up.

      • +5

        It is not dumb at all. NSW and other state police encourage people to Register Your Party

        • +11

          Well I'm convinced!! If the Police encourage you to do it, it must be in your interests!!

    • +1

      What exactly does registering parties with the police do?

      • +12

        It manages complaints that are phoned in earlier in the night. Cops can respond with, "thanks for your call, we are aware of the party, and they'll have Justin Bieber turned down by 11pm.

        They can also do a drive by to ensure no gate crashers are lurking.

        • +12

          They can also do a drive by to ensure no gate crashers are lurking.

          What if some survive?

        • So you're basically turning the police into your own private security force?

          I can't say I see how it helps that scenario anyway. If it's legal to play Justin Bieber at an excessive volume that disturbs neighbours until 11pm, then the police will surely just say that on the phone when people complain anyway? If I had cause to call the police and they replied "as a reward for telling us in advance, we're letting them disturb you until 11pm" I wouldn't be overly impressed…

    • +2

      You don't need to do this for a venue hire….

    • "Register the party with the police. That way, if you get a noise complaint lodged against you the police are on your side when they turn up."

      You should definitely register with the police but not for the sake of being excessively loud and not be prosecuted.

      "hope they understand there will be a bit of additional noise that night."

      Neighbours won't understand nor sympathize if it is unnecessarily loud and dance music with heavy bass is played. Loud techno music drive alot people crazy because the bass travels through the walls.

      The op has hired a proper venue which is the right thing to do. This avoids causing unnecessary problems.

  • +31

    The only thing you're missing is telling me how the f*** you can afford that at age 20.

    • +4

      How much do you think the entire think costs - curious to hear.

      I'll tell you the cost once you guess!

      • $7000?

      • +4

        3 course meal with drinks is minimum $60-70 then add on the extras and i'm guessing at least 12k

        • 12k?! LOL!

          I would guess around $5k-$7k

        • +2

          @Hirolol: He has about 180 people going, so if it does actually cost about $60-70 per head then the number isn't too far off.

          Unless the "3 course meal" isn't too expensive and people are having basically no alcohol.

        • +2

          Looks like you were right!!!!
          Damn expensive!!!!!

        • @Hirolol:

          best scenario: save the 7k, put in investment account, grow into deposit, buy a property, you will be glad you made this decision when youre 38 yr old.

          Second best scenario: save the 7k, plan a trip overseas for 6 months, while overseas, work part time, party in vietnam for $500 with people youre not gona see ever again.

        • @Hirolol: Catering (for a 3 course meal) is already $60 per head, minimum. With 180 guests, OP is looking at paying 10k in catering alone. 15k+ easily.

      • -1

        k

    • +1

      The only thing you're missing is telling me how the f*** you can afford that at age 20.

      What leads you to believe OP is the one financing this shindig?

      • +4

        I am.

        All in all, about $12k.

        • +3

          So how did you get 12k at age 20 when you're a student?

          Seriously. I want to know.

        • +2

          @MrMcHairyHead:

          My first ozbargain post was about that exactly.

          I've been working non stop from a young age. Never spent out. Saved, Saved, Saved.

          Totally doable. Also, I live at home.

        • +5

          @unistudent1: and youre gona let it all go off in 1 night? wise

        • +3

          @unistudent1: totally doable, and totally sensible, until you get to the party about spending 12k on a birthday party? Are you sure you want to spend that much? Surely a decent party can be had for half that

        • @MrMcHairyHead:

          $20k at age 20 as a student is perfectly do'able if one is living at home with parents. Some may argue outside of home too, although I can only comment on the first.

        • -1

          @unistudent1:

          Who are you kidding?

          You and I both know your parents are paying for it..

        • +1

          @millzy:

          You're scum mate.

          A sore loser. A no-good attitude that'll get you nowhere in life. You'll never be happy, you'll always feel worthless - you're one of them.

          Anyway, sorry for your jealousy. Have some respect.

        • -2

          @unistudent1:

          lol okay stinky

          A 21 year old saving all their money and then is just willing to drop 12k on a bday party? Yeah right.

          I'm very happy but you my stinky are in denial.

          Mummy and Daddy must love their little curry puff very much.

          Happy Bday!

        • +2

          @millzy:

          Cheers for the well wishes. I've worked and saved my back side off since I was 13. I didn't spare anything - from pocket money, to household chores, to cleaning toilet seats at Hungry Jacks. I saved, I didn't eat and/or drink out.

          I had some goals to achieve by 21. I scored. Now I'm celebrating because in my eyes, I've made it.

          If you've got a problem, take your negativity elsewhere. I've got a real problem with people like you.

        • +2

          @unistudent1:

          Seriously though, I hope you have a great birthday :)

        • @millzy: Thanks mate :)

  • +38

    Rich kids of Instagram.

    • -5

      ?

      • +10

        isn't 21st just an American thing? as is halloween which is lame imo.

        • +7

          you are right, Halloween, prom, and most definitely a 21st bday, because thats when they consider themselves an adult and thats when they legally can drink alchohol and enter clubs in USA. kinda stupid to pay that amount of attention to it in australia, you should have thrown this party at 18, because that would have been the equivelent of 21 in australia

        • +1

          @striker5950:

          you should have thrown this party at 18, because that would have been the equivelent of 21 in australia

          ¿Por qué no los dos?

        • +1

          @Scrooge McDuck: because it does not make any sense here on ozbargain

        • -1

          @striker5950:

          More is more.

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