Will you admit it? Can you admit going to a party where someone with a sizable income has spent lavishly on it, is completely delightful and right up your alley? I mean... it's not our money, which makes their party even more fun, right?
After all that, please tell me... why are we so obsessed with inexpensive parties?
Are you willing to declare: I have a thing for inexpensive parties?
As a caterer and event planner, and now, one who focuses on my favorite aspects of party planning... writing about them and standing by consumers that don't want to or can't afford to spend mega-bucks on having an expensive, stylish party.
In my own life, I'm certainly no millionaire. Not at this stage of the juncture, anyway. So, I know better than to take planning and catering... that is a "want" and not a "need" for most people - including me, for granted.
Parties are a luxury, period.
Before I started my own business and went on to become a party writer, I was an employee at a Los Angeles-based catering and event planning company that catered to "Hollywood's finest" - so I understand the social implications of glamorous parties that are laden with extras; even oftentimes over-the-top.
Here on CH (Cater-Hater), I try to balance an inexpensive approach to parties with my Hollywood experiences of lush, expensive party ideas and concepts that most people like and want, but can't afford. The fresh flower debate won over the looks of cheap plastic flowers and the costly expense of pretty silks. You'd rather self-destruct than to be caught skimping, so there's no substituting quality when it comes to food and beverages... ever. Serving pieces - including linens and your favorite party decor tchotchkes, find themselves not being rented, as you can always use what you've got - which ain't a bad thing to do.
But as a big fan of inexpensive parties, I can't help but to try to come up with everything I can think of for people who struggle with complicated ways of overcoming expensive party expenses and the feeling that they won't be able to live up to the expectations of those who also can't afford luxurious parties, yet expect others to do so; who'd like to believe that they can.
These people aren't rich, nor are they "one percenter's". They share the same worries, weaknesses, and strengths as you and me. They've got baggage just like everyone else, and in this instance it's called "party baggage". And who wants to unpack that; when it's not their money being spent on a party, for them to critique?
If parties were a challenge on a game show, we'd probably rise above them and meet the challenge of figuring out ways to make better and inexpensive changes.
Every party, in it's planning stage, presents a delicious problem to be solved. We all like what we like. So, we don't want to (and won't) cut corners in some of the places where we could, and we like the feeling of "success" - however real or temporary - that comes with the rush of adrenaline that we get when we receive a massive savings from the knowledge that we've acquired to do so. But like with many things related to parties, there comes a point when the roller coaster ride of making everything work out isn't as thrilling as it once was, and we wish that someone else would do all the work that it takes to pull off a fantastic party for us.
The transition from believing that we can do everything to knowing that we don't want to or can't is the very definition of an inexpensive party.When I began working in the party business, I was like a deer in headlights, learning bit-by-bit via OJT (On The Job training) from the West Coast masters of catering and event planning, the ones who'd cornered the market on Hollywood's wealthiest and chicest crowd, who weren't concerned with inexpensive anything. Yet I still found myself thinking about how to do what they were doing, for less money. Being around them made me think about how much you'd probably like it, if I were to expose their "tricks of the trade". Being a team player, I was loyal. And that time, I didn't know that I knew as much about how to produce big, luxurious parties as I do - the ins ans outs, nor had I realized my desire to share how things work, nor had I had the times I've since had where I've sat planning and plotting to help you guys, the consumers, win.
The role of an inexpensive party in society is not a topic that everyone will easily agree upon; how to make one possible. Especially, because there are so many reasons to have one. Is an inexpensive party a "class" thing or a money thing? Should an inexpensive party provoke a conversation or be effortlessly created with not much talk?
In reality, inexpensive parties are today's necessity because, unfortunately, most people suddenly don't wake up with a bunch of money to spend on lavish parties just because they want to.
An expensive looking party done "on the cheap" isn't luck. Luck isn't enough. But as a cater hating consumer advocate on your side, I'm prepared to fight for your right to have inexpensive, awesome parties without spending an arm and a leg.
Just because we can and do make the choice to be a bit obsessed with inexpensive parties doesn't mean we don't still like and want expensive, best of the best soirees and special events, right?
*****
I do this... I write to help to create to opportunities for all of you who choose to pursue your passion to have parties, also taking into account today's economic constraints.
I think if we keep talking about the cost of parties (I write the blog posts, you write comments), together, maybe we can break down some of the party industry's price barriers and shame some of the people who've taken your money and delivered a poor quality product right into growing a conscious and treating you right (nice thought, huh?).
Opportunities to be inspired about parties are everywhere. Yet, people looking out for your wallet are few and far between. My goal is to inspire you, causing you to question the way things are that have been the status quo for too long. When we stand together and speak up, we can be a powerful force.
Let's keep the conversation of change going. Because in the sea of everyone talking, one voice is a whisper... several voices are a scream.
Leave a comment and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions below. Remember to be as specific as possible because what you have to say helps us all.
Always... be encouraged and encourage others too,
