Planning a special occasion is no small feat, especially when you’re torn between hosting at home or holding your celebration at a venue location. Both options have their unique advantages and challenges. But today, we’re here to help you dispel your doubts so you can make an informed decision to host a memorable event, no matter which location you choose.
Your Location can Set the Mood and Tone
Where you choose to celebrate indeed plays a role in setting the tone and forming the overall experience for your attendees. Whether it’s a cozy gathering at home or a grand celebration at an upscale restaurant, the location will impact the ambiance and comfort of your guests.
Hosting at Home
Hosting a gathering at home is the most common route for most folks, especially for parties with fewer guests. But is home sweet home always the best option? Let’s begin by looking at the positives of hosting at home.
Pros of Home Parties
It’s Comfortable and Familiar
Your home is a familiar and comfortable environment for you and your guests. You know where things are and have complete control over the setting.
Your Timing is Flexible
At home, you have the freedom to decide the start and end times of the event. Unlike a venue, you don’t have to worry about any time restrictions or getting kicked out before you’re ready to wrap up.
You Control the Decorations
Home parties offer endless opportunities for personalization. You can be as creative as you want and have complete control over how you want to decorate and set the feel of your theme.
Food and Beverage Choices
Whether cooking a 5-start course, having a potluck, a casual barbecue, or ordering in, the beverage and food menu is entirely up to you. On the other hand, a venue may require you to use a specific caterer or may have particular policies regarding food and alcohol.
Cons of Home Parties
You have to do the Cleaning
While the party may have been a blast for your guests, you already know the work is not over when the last guest leaves. There’s the aftermath – the dishes to wash, the decorations to take down, and the general mess to cleanup, leaving you completely exhausted.
Risk of Damage
Parties are fun but can also be stressful when you have to worry about accidental damage to your belongings or property. With a bundle of excited party-goers around, things can quickly get out of hand. Accidents happen when you least expect them, whether it’s a spilled drink on your carpet or a broken vase.
Guests that Stay Longer Than You’d Like
While having the flexibility to end the party whenever you want is a positive, there’s always the flip side – the guests or guests that won’t leave. Without the time restrictions of a venue, some of your guests may want to keep the party going, even though you may be completely wiped out. This may be especially difficult for hosts who don’t want to be seen as rude or “party-poopers.”
Hosting at a Venue
More families are choosing to celebrate special occasions outside their homes by renting an event space. They provide convenience, and there are plenty of options, ranging from banquet halls to restaurants and shared office space centers such as Onboard Coworking.
Pros of Venue Parties
Less Stress
Whether it’s a wedding, graduation, or birthday party, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with all the small details. But with a venue, many places offer packages that take care of all details for you, such as catering, beverages, decorations, sound systems, and more. All of this means less time you have to spend on planning and less stress on having to do everything yourself.
Available Assistance
With a venue, you’re paying not only for the space but also for the venue’s help and support. This eliminates the need to bother any of your friends or family who may be too busy with their schedules to help out. Instead, a venue usually has a dedicated support person whose job is to assist you with all the phases of the event, including setup, offering assistance during the event, and handling all the post-event activities like cleanup. Having this help allows you to enjoy the event and spend more time with your guests.
You have More Space
Unlike a home, a venue provides ample space to accommodate larger guest lists. You don’t have to worry about fitting everyone into your small living room or backyard. In addition to more space, many places have designated areas for specific activities, such as dining and dancing, and some may include an outdoor area where guests can retreat and take a break.
No Post-Party Cleanup
The best part of having your event at a venue is not worrying about the cleanup once it’s over. You can relax and enjoy the rest of your evening, knowing that the venue staff has everything under control.
Cons of Venue Parties
Cost Considerations
It is no surprise that hosting an event outside of your home can turn out to be more expensive, which may not suit your budget. Many event spaces have a minimum spending requirement that you must adhere to. This means that even if you have a small guest list, you will still have to spend a certain amount of money to rent the space. Additionally, the cost of food, drinks, decorations, and other party essentials can quickly add up and stretch your budget even further.
Less Personalization
While some event venues provide decoration services to their customers, the options for themes and decor items may be limited to what the venue has available. This can result in less personalization for your event.
Time Restrictions
Most event spaces have to follow a schedule, which means there might be time restrictions for the set times of your event, including the end time. You also have to remember that your preferred dates may not always be available. Therefore, it’s even more important to keep your dates flexible in case the venue doesn’t have an opening on your preferred day.
Budget-Friendly Event Planning: Home vs. Venue
At first glance, you may think renting an outside space is more expensive than hosting at home. But don’t assume that this is always the case.
Home parties can come with hidden expenses like decor, food, and entertainment. On the other hand, a venue might seem more expensive upfront but is usually all-inclusive, offering better value for money. In addition, there’s less to worry about as the event staff handles many details like setting up, cleanup, and so forth.
Additional Considerations
Guest Count and Space Requirements
The guest count and space requirements should be key factors in your decision. Home parties work best for smaller gatherings, while venues are better for a large number of guests.
Personalization
As far as personalization, your home is a blank slate, allowing you to personalize it to your taste, whereas certain event spaces might have policies about decorations.
Parking
If parking is an issue on your street, consider this as a good reason to use a venue space. Most venues have plenty of parking for your guests, whereas finding street parking near your home can be a hassle, especially if you live on a busy street.
The Neighbors
Finally, don’t forget your neighbors. Are they guests at your party? If not, will you disturb them, especially if your event goes into the wee hours of the night? Remember that noise restrictions may be a more significant challenge at home than at venues, which are usually never located near residential areas. Therefore, don’t forget about the neighbors before deciding.
Making the Final Decision: Home vs. Venue Celebrations
The final decision between a home party and a venue event boils down to your comfort level, event purpose, and budget. We hope this information has prepared you to make a final decision and you’re ready to plan for an unforgettable event.
Host your Event at Onobard Coworking
Make the decision with Onboard Coworking in El Monte, CA. Our event space rentals include customizable options as well as hourly rate rentals or daily rates. Our space combines modern aesthetics that let you customize it to your liking. Say goodbye to post-party stress, learn more by contacting us, and reserve your space today.
