Here are some great tips to get you started on planning a party and actually enjoying it with guest Event Planner, Daniela Battistoni of Citigroup located in NYC.

1) Make a Plan – a party plan
Decide what the occasion is going to be, the number of quest, the theme and of course the menu. Send out invitations at least 2 weeks before your party. If it is something formal like a wedding, send the invitations out no later than 6 weeks prior to your event.

2) Make a List
You’ll need a list of ingredients for the recipes that you will be serving. Then build your shopping list, don’t forget to include non food items such as paper towels, toothpicks, ice, other paper products (napkins and yes, toilet paper), paper plates, plastic utensils. Think about any center pieces that you may be incorporating into your theme, now is the time to design, purchase products to create it. If it is something that you can make ahead, now is the time to do it. Don’t procrastinate-the more you accomplish ahead of time, the easier your day will be and the more enjoyable.

3) Make a Time-table
Create a timeline for getting pre-party chores done. Daniela Battistoni, event planner for Citigroup in Manhattan says; “I can’t stress enough how important it is to create this list, stick to it and get as much done as possible before your event. It will allow you to enjoy a stress free day. Think of the 5 worse case scenarios that could happen, and make sure you have back ups planned. If you are having a party outside –where would you put everyone if it rained?” If your house only has one bathroom, should you rent a “port a potty?”

4) Make the Moment Last
Battistoni also suggest to “having disposable cameras on hand to capture those candid party moments. When your guest leave the party, make sure they give you back the cameras so that you can have the film developed. If anyone is taking digitals, make sure they have your e-mail address to swap photographs. Create a photo journal of your day. You can also create slide shows on line with many of the different digital developing websites like ‘Shutterfly and Snapfish.”