Celebrating Pride Month: Planning the Best Surprise Party?
Introduction
Pride Month is an important social and cultural event celebrated every June worldwide. The month commemorates the history, achievements in the ongoing fight for acceptance and equality, and struggles of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Inspired by the 1969 Stonewall Riots, Pride Month has transformed into a symbol of self-confidence, inclusion, and diversity. Pride Month provides a platform for LGBT people to voice their opinions, freely express their sexuality, and foster a sense of community.
Pride Month is the perfect time to surprise your partner. This is the time of the year when you can openly show your love for your other without judgement from others. Celebrate your love by throwing the best Pride Month surprise party for your partner. However, planning a party is not an easy task.
It requires weeks of planning, getting a planner or DIYing it, finding Birmingham flower delivery near you, or locating the best food vendors to serve at the party.
Hence, we understand how important it is to you and your partner to celebrate your love in the perfect way. To help you plan the perfect surprise party, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you with all the nitty gritty.
Step-by-Step Guide to Planning the Best Surprise Party
Planning an ideal surprise requires commitment and attention to detail to ensure the whole event is memorable. From choosing the right venue and date to planning the theme, entertainment, and decoration, each step requires careful planning. Here’s a step-by-step guide to planning the perfect surprise party for Pride Month.
Planning the Surprise
The essence of planning the perfect surprise party is maintaining its secrecy and thorough planning. You must coordinate with your partner’s friends and family to get them in the party planning. By consulting friends and family, you can understand their preferences better. Moreover, you might also be surprised by some of the additional details about their interests and personalities, which will help you plan the party.
Selecting the Right Data and Time
Choosing the appropriate date and time is crucial for planning a party. Ensure your partner is available on the D-day and they have their schedule cleared for the date and time of your surprise.
Moreover, you must also ensure the guests are given enough time to arrange the party. Hence, consider their schedule and give them at least two weeks to send their RSVPs. Choose to throw the party on a weekend when most guests and guest of honor are available.
Choosing the Right Venue
While throwing a house party seems like the most cost-effective idea, think about all the stress you must go through.
If you plan a small party with a handful of people, a house party seems like the best idea. However, if you want to take a step further, you can choose a venue that best fits your needs, like event spaces, private rooms, hotels, etc.
Creating the Guest List
Make a guest list including all close friends, family, and colleagues who are dear to your partner.
To maintain secrecy, attempt to get their contact details in secrecy and instruct them to practice the same.
Secrecy and Communication
The key to a successful surprise party is maintaining secrecy. You must take proper steps to avoid spoiling the surprise. Hence, clear communication of your goals and instruct your guests to keep every piece of information related to the party confidential.
Themes and Decorations
Every party needs a theme. With Pride-based themes, you can truly do wonders. You can add creativity, entertainment and party style. If your partner is interested in period dramas, you can have a Bridgerton-themed sunrise party with a beautiful costume party. Moreover, if you want to keep it simple, simply go to a rainbow-themed party. However, you can throw a Pride prom party if you want to push your creativity. However, if your partner is into dark academia or emo, you can have a ‘Black Parada’ themed party.
Don’t shy away from really decorating the place. Add rainbow flags, banners, balloons, and flowers. Remember, planning the best surprise party is all about seeing your partner’s happiness when they find out. Hence, go all out (but stay within budget) to create the best party. You can further add LED lights or a disco light to create the best mood.
Food and Drinks
What is a party without food and drinks? Food and beverages are important elements that make or break a party. Hence, consider it before you plan the menu. Remember, the menu should not just cater to your partner’s choices; it should also consider your guests.
Moreover, you need to make a list of your guests’ dietary habits and allergies to avoid messy situations at your party. Careful planning and consideration for your guests’ needs will make your party a rocking success!
You can add a rainbow cake as a centerpiece, along with other snacks. Start by serving finger foods like sandwiches, sliders, or skewers. For the main course, a buffet comprising of tacos, barbeque, or pasta is a good decision. Moreover, dont forget to cater to guests with special dietary requirements like gluten-free, vegan, or allergen-free dishes.
Don’t forget the drinks! Think outside the box and create an array of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options and make them fun. You can start by creating a menu of rainbow-themed mocktails and cocktails. Based on the theme of the party, choose your drinks.
Lastly, dont forget to set up a water station for guests who might get thirsty from all the fun and dancing.
Entertainment and Activities
A party is incomplete without some fun and games. Here are some of the fun-filled activities and entertainment options:
Live Performances
Speaking of fun and dancing, ensure to have a fun-filled party planned. There is a lot of entertainment options you can incorporate in your Pride Month surprise party. To begin with, you can have a drag show with amazing performances by drag queens and kings.
By including people from the LGBT community, you are sure to give back to the community and include them in your happy celebrations.
If booking a Drag show is not your thing, a live band or DJ should be your go-to option. Having a live band or a DJ at a party will enhance the party’s mood. Invest in a good band and give them a list of your partner’s favorite songs.
As the party progresses, you will be excited to see how many guests have come up with their own requests.
Lastly, hiring a stand-up comedian is a fun option if your partner is into comedy. Whatever entertainment option you choose, ensure your partner’s interests get priority.
Games and Contests
Adding some fun games and contests to your party will increase its life and keep it going. Pride month is all about self-expression, and who doesn’t like playing dress up?
Hence, you can also hold a fashion show or costume contest, during which your guests receive small gifts and prizes.
You can also invest in or borrow a karaoke system to let your guests enjoy singing their favorite songs. You will surely give yourself a pat on the back when your guests sing Taylor Swift in unison, screaming at the top of their lungs.
Interactive Stations
If you want to dial up the party, get an interactive station where your guests can have the time of their lives. Hence, a temporary photo booth should be installed where guests can take pictures and make unforgettable memories.
You can also add funny props like sunglasses, hats, and others. If your partner has an artistic side or if you just want to make your party unique, you can also set up a station for temporary tattoos where your guests can get any colored temporary tattoos.
Invitations and RSVPs
Sending out your e-vites and physical invitations is important to ensure your surprise party is smoothly organized and well-attended. Begin by designing your invitations that fit the theme of the party and align with your and your partner’s interests.
Remember to include accurate information about the party, its location, time and data, and any other necessary instructions. Some additional instructions you can add to the invites (if they apply to you) are the dress code, whether children should be allowed, and others.
Moreover, ask your guests to reply to the RSVP with their confirmation and dietary preferences (especially including any allergens).
After you have sent out the invitations, set a deadline and be ready with the final guest list within the fixed time. You can use digital tools like spreadsheets to keep track of the confirmed guests.
Follow up with the guests who have not been confirmed after the set deadline. By keeping a final headcount, your tasks in planning the party will become much easier. Moreover, you will have the right headcount when planning the amount of food and beverages.
Safety and Accessibility
Pay close attention to the safety measures to ensure that your guests have a comfortable and welcoming time. The last thing you would want is for your guests to fall sick or have an accident.
Though accidents happen uncalled, you should be prepared to deal with such problems. Keep a list of emergency contact details on your fridge or somewhere easily accessible. List the numbers of the fire department, police, ambulance, and other necessary contacts.
Moreover, a first-aid box with emergency medication should be kept handy. Additionally, try choosing a venue with wheelchair accessibility if needed.
Lastly, ensure that your party is free from judgments and creates an environment of tolerance and respectful language. This will ensure that all your guests feel comfortable and at ease.
Capturing Pride Moments
What is the fun of having such a memorable event, and you simply dont make it timeless? Hence, a videographer or a photographer should be prepared to capture every minute of the party to preserve the essence of Pride.
Though hiring a professional photographer seems to add to your budget, consider getting a professional if you want amazing group and candid shots.
Moreover, you can create a photo wall in a designated area with props and a themed background where your guests can click pictures. Additionally, you can create a video to highlight or a video montage to share with all your guests.
Do not forget to share the experience with people who missed the party by posting snippets of the party on social media. By creating a hashtag like ‘#EloiseandRuby’sFirstPrideTogether,’ you can encourage your guests to share their experiences and memories on social media with the hashtag. This will boost your engagement with the community, and you can spread awareness on the platform. After the party, you can also create a digital album with your guests’ pictures and photos on a drive or cloud.
After the Party
After the party, be sure to finish any remaining tasks, and dont forget to express gratitude to all guests for making an appearance and participating.
Send thank-you notes to all the contributors and guests who helped make the party successful. Moreover, seek feedback from guests to learn what moments they enjoyed and where improvements can be made.
Do not leave the venue unhygienic or unclean. Ensure that it is left clean and tidy after the party.
Engage volunteers or coordinate with the venue employees to help with clean up. If you have taken any equipment, like a karaoke system, on rent, return it promptly. Every decoration and equipment must be returned in optimum quality.
Wrapping Up
Planning a surprise party for your partner is the best way to celebrate your love and bonding this Pride Month. By carefully following the comprehensive guide, you will be able to throw the best surprise party, which will be appreciated by your partner and guests.
Hence, follow these steps to create a memorable and inclusive event, and you will surely create lasting memories.
Whether you are planning a small house party or a large party at a designated venue, the key is infusing respect, love, and pride. So, let your creativity shine and celebrate love this Pride Month.
