How to Organise a Great Christmas Party

Being asked to organise the Christmas party for either work or your friends is both an honour yet also something that can lead to a whole lot of stress if it’s not planned carefully!  That’s why we've put together these tips on how to get everything organised.

Set the date in advance.  WELL in advance.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when planning a party is leaving the date too late.  This is a bad idea for two reasons: firstly, it will mean you might struggle to book locations and entertainment at shorter notice, and secondly you’re running the risk of the main attendees being asked to do something else! If you set the date well in advance then any time off work can be booked, and everyone can avoid committing themselves to anything else.

Work out budgets

On too many occasions, the organiser ends up shelling out on something that not everyone can actually pay for, and they end up out of pocket as a result.  Ask everyone up front how much they can afford to pay, and work with that budget.  This way, everyone will be involved and no-one will have to be left feeling awkward because they can't pay their share.

What type of party are you having?

There are a whole host of options out there for Christmas parties.  Many people choose to go for a meal at a restaurant before heading out for drinks, but others will prefer to actually rent a function room out and enjoy their privacy.  Others will, of course, want entertainment!  It's important to consult everyone that you think will be attending, and then democratically go with the most sensible option.  As a general rule, as long as you take the time to actually ask and canvas opinion, most people will usually be happy with the end results: they just want to know they’ve been asked!

Don't forget the theme

If there's one non-negotiable in throwing a Christmas bash, it's making sure that whichever venue you go for is dec'd out with a festive theme.  The whole point of having a party is to celebrate and get everyone in the Christmassy mood, so ensure that you break out all of the classics: the tinsel, the mistletoe (though feel free to keep it away from certain people!) and of course...the tree!  Christmas decorations can be purchased at a fairly low price these days, so there's no excuse for not spending the money on getting the right vibe.

What food does everyone want?

Providing food as part of the evening is pretty normal, but it’s not uncommon to find that rather than going for the classic Christmas dinner, some people prefer something a bit different.  After all, they'll get their Christmas dinner on Christmas day!   

Again, make sure you canvas opinion from everyone, and see if they'd rather go for something more unique.  There are many restaurants out there that will lend a festive air to their meals, even if their cuisine isn't typically Christmassy.  Thai and oriental food is popular with almost everyone, and an Indian might go down well during the chilly winter weather. It's important to provide a few different options for people to choose from - that way even if they do go for the classic Christmas dinner, at least you've given them the chance to choose otherwise!

The party planners at local entertainment agency The Partyman Company are full of tips and advice for those who are nervous about hosting their first Christmas dinner party! Check out their range of Christmas party packages here if you think you need a little help.

How to Pick the Perfect Wedding Car: A Guide for Fussy Bridezillas

Your big day is the most important day of your life so it’s essential that you take plenty of time, care and effort planning it. Everything from the venue to the menu must be right in order for you, your partner and your guests to enjoy themselves as they should do. That’s why we have created this guide to help you choose your perfect wedding car.

Go out and see some for yourself

Wedding cars are nothing like the modern cars you’ll lining the streets during rush hour every day – most of these vehicles considered ‘vintage’ or ‘classical’ cars, so are operated differently and look like they were created in a bygone era. With this in mind, the best way to start picking your wedding car is to go out and have a look at some in the flesh. Browse online or in the local business directory for some wedding car hire services near you and go visit them to get a feel for the different types of wedding cars that are available to you; research is key.

When you get to the supplier, make sure you have a good look inside and outside the car. Ask if you can sit inside so you can get a real feel for what it would be like to sit in the car during your journey to your ceremony. And if you’re really feeling brave, pluck up the courage to ask for a test drive – if you’re lucky, the owner will be able to demonstrate how the car runs in practice.

Think about size and seating

Before you start booking the Bentley or phoning up for a Ferrari, you must consider how many people will be travelling in the card besides you. Many older vintage wedding cars may only seat two people - the bride and groom or the bride and her guest (typically her father or mother), along with the driver of course.

If you intend on transporting several guests with you on your wedding day then luxury high performance cars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis are more than likely not going to work. 

However a Bentley Continental GT or a Maserati Gran Turismo is a luxurious and fast wedding car choice that can also comfortably seat up to five people (four guests plus the driver).

For maximum seating and the utmost space, a limousine is often a great way to go. Minibuses are usually a big ‘no-no’ when it comes to transporting the bride as they can be more difficult to enter and leave, plus they don’t often live up to her expectations aesthetically!

What about your dream car?

Now if you’re male then chances are you were once a young boy dreaming of speeding around in a beautiful high-end car. Perhaps you loved the look of a particular Ferrari, or were really impressed by the handling of a Lamborghini?  If so then why don’t you consider hiring that dream car for your wedding day?

Got a theme? Get a themed car

If your wedding has a theme then why not hire a wedding car that fits into it? For example, if you’re basing your wedding’s theme on the hit movie Casablanca, how about choosing a classic Bentley or Rolls-Royce from that time period?

Picking the perfect wedding car isn’t an easy task, even for those who are more experienced with cars. However with the important considerations outlined within this guide, we are sure that you will make an informed decision and find your perfect wedding day transportation. We wish you all the best on your big day!

Asquith Wedding Cars offers a huge fleet of Essex wedding cars for hire to couples anywhere in Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater London. 

Bargain Does Not Mean Best – Why You Should Avoid Amateur Photographers

We all love a bargain, but as any savvy shopper will tell you, the cheapest product does not generally equate to the best. It’s great when you buy a £5 dress from the High Street, but not so great when it falls apart after the first wash. With smaller purchases we tend to grin and bear it, but what if you choose to cut corners on something much more important, like your corporate or wedding photos?

Professional photography may seem like a large expense, especially when you only see the photographer for the few hours they attend your event, but there’s a lot more to it than turning up on the day and taking a few photos.

The Photography Gamble: The Importance of Professional Corporate Photography

Would you let your uncle’s cousin’s friend design your logo, write your email shots or organise your corporate awards ceremony? Then why run the risk of less than exemplary results when you hire a corporate photographer? Photographs of events or images that are used in brochures and other promotional materials can be a powerful marketing tool -provided they look professional. On the other hand, allowing poor photographs to be used to represent your company can have the exact opposite effect and send out all the wrong signals about the professionalism of your company.

The advent of digital cameras has meant that any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy relatively cheap machinery, have zero photography skills and still call themselves a professional. But as with any profession, becoming a really great photographer takes time, effort, experience and sheer hard work.

There are a whole host of instances when a professional corporate photographer can be just what you need and great photographs of your premises, your awards ceremonies, your key staff members or your charitable events are ideal for making an unforgettable first impression and sending out a positive message about your company.

The Case of the Wedding Photographer

The photographs that are taken at your wedding serve as a record of the happiest and most important day of your life. If they go wrong, or you’re not satisfied with what you get, you can’t do the day over again - so you’ve really got no recompense. The best way to avoid this happening is to choose a professional photographer who knows what they’re doing. 

Whereas in the past you had little choice about the type of photographer you could hire and the results you’d get, today there are hundreds of competitors, some of whom pride themselves on a professional service and others who are looking to make a quick buck.

Weddings are expensive so it’s understandable that couples look for ways to make savings, but consider this; which would be more devastating - a poor wedding breakfast that didn’t impress your guests, or completely ruined wedding photographs that can never be replaced? If you want to take a gamble on your wedding photos then by all means do, but be prepared for disappointment if you choose a cheap service.

Why choose a Professional Photographer?

When you opt for a professional photographer, you’re getting far more than photos. Professional photographers use the best equipment and have exemplary skills in the art of photography. This means they’ll work with you to ensure that you get the photographs you want.

Photographers of all fields, whether they specialise in weddings or corporate projects, understand how to create engaging, exciting photos and truly capture a moment or message, which is far more complex that the ‘point and click’ approach of amateurs.

In addition, professional photographers can provide better quality prints. When it comes to wedding albums, they are able to create beautiful books that commemorate your special day, and when it comes to commercial images, their offerings will look much slicker. What’s more, professional photographers are trained to notice the most minute details, so you’ll get a shot with no ‘little niggles’ that ruin the whole effect.

So before you go for the bargain basement option, remember just how important your photographs really are and consider whether you can really afford to opt for a cheap photographer.

AUTHOR BYLINE
Ellie Taylor is a professional portrait photographer and avid photography blogger. During the week Ellie can be found at Alternative Images - the corporate photography specialists in London.