Whether it’s a birthday party, a corporate lunch, or a Halloween party for the neighborhood, if you’re on a budget, events can seem a bit overwhelming, and often hopeless to pull off. While it’s true that some events have bigger budgets than others do, that doesn’t mean you can’t have an amazing event with the small budget you’ve afforded yourself. If you follow these tips, you will soon see that you can indeed get things done on a budget, and your guests still have the time of their lives.

Choose that Venue Early

A venue for your event can be expensive and more than a little complicated to find. However, not only is the proper venue critical, but it’s also probably going to be the most expensive item on your extensive list of to-dos. Choosing a venue is hard enough, waiting until the last minute and having to pay extra fees for booking late will make it even harder. Plan early, choose wisely, then book as early as possible at the venue you want to host the event at.

If you’re looking for discounts, it’s a good idea to book your venue and hold your event in the off-season. Less popular dates for the event will give you some hefty discounts if you can swing it.

Watch Your Food and Beverage Costs

Another expensive item on your to-do list has to be the cost of food and beverages for your guests. One of the easiest and least expensive ways to cut costs on food and beverages is by having lunch and calling in a lunch catering professional to take care of everything from the food to the serving of the food for you. The catering doesn’t have to be elaborate, but the food does need to be amazing.

Ask for Volunteers

Volunteers have been around for centuries, so why not ask a few people to help you plan and host your event? Ask around, you’ll be surprised at how many friends, family members, or even co-workers will be willing to help you organize your event and won’t charge you a dime for their services.

Remember, the Small Costs Add Up Quickly

Make sure that you keep track of all your expenses, as a dollar here and a few dollars there can quickly add up to more than you wanted to spend. The best rule of thumb to follow is the tighter your budget is, the tighter the reins on your spending should be. This means that you should always be checking for hidden costs, extra fees, and other things on any of the vendors you hire for your event. Make sure to check all contracts, all proposals, and all final bills, because most hidden costs show up in the final bill for the services and products provided by the vendor. Make sure that you keep on top of all of these invoices and contracts, and you might even end up saving a little when your event is done.

Remember to Breathe and Have Fun

The one thing to remember above all else is that your event is supposed to be fun for you and your guests. It’s not going to be if you’re completely worn out and stressed beyond belief the day of the event. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself, take a deep breath, and have fun with the planning and the event itself.

These are just a few of the best tips out there for helping you host an event on a limited budget. Remember, breathe, have fun, follow these tips, and the rest will fall into place.