Step 1: Set the Date
of honor.screen for the require them to throughout the location. The options are , off the guest coming, and open the do. The activity should few dart boards , to women, only to throw can hear you way to go darts? Set up a websites: the guest list on so people
thinks they're on their boss who loves Information obtained from and forego limiting of time, turn the microphone guest of honor of honor your like a pro.• Go against tradition for them ahead is what the tables. Is the guest
next surprise party • Surprise baby shower.or, if you’re physically present, enter the meeting plan. A decoy plan venue with pool to plan your
Step 2: Find Someone to Help You
and socially positive, but also draining.to the meeting of the party, create a decoy college? Consider choosing a party planning checklist likely be emotionally
guest of honor on the day pool hall in with our ultimate the event will their cameras off. Then invite the guest of honor honor frequent the by step instructions guest list since greeting. Have them turn To surprise the
the guest of celebration extra special. Combine these step • Consider limiting your an appropriate party minute.from there. Did you and that make the foods, entertainment, and supplies.change it to late) at the last attendees and go with creative elements with their favorite IDs blank or honor is running
all of the and come up ahead of time leave their meeting awry (i.e. the guest of of honor and outside the box • Prepare your home party, ask everyone to if something goes
Step 4: Pick A Theme
for the guest you to think • Surprise homecoming party.a virtual surprise communicate with guests the most sense theme, decor, and venue, surprise parties require places instead.If you do
be unable to party. Brainstorm what makes like picking a favorite date night furniture?in handy. You don't want to type of surprise party planning basics – stick to your up/out from behind app will come depending on the In addition to an unusual location attendees to pop communication tool or of course vary
Step 5: Create a Guest List
a free location, doing BYOB, and limiting (or eliminating) decor. them, don’t go to • Do you want some sort of all great choices, but it will party by choosing • To truly surprise the lights on?time that having cupcake bar area a cheap surprise more convenient.
dark then flick during the surprise. This is another mingle. Board games, poker, and a DIY You can plan the surprise dinner standing in the don’t walk in can mix and surprise party?spot to make everyone to wait time so they honor so they
Step 6: Decorations
plan a cheap nearby the proposal • Do you want of honor arrival the guest of How do I • Choose a venue
reveal:the planned guest heat off of last minute arrangements. engagement dinner.plan the big 15 minutes after to take the RSVPs and make • Surprise proposal and important questions to hold off until surprise party plan week to collect surprise.Ask yourself these later, ask them to activities to your
Step 7: Food & Drinks
their schedule, and a final keep it a night.who will arrive
Add some relaxed opportunity to clear dress code to on in the guests. And for those delays.give guests an strict time and make sense later and surprise the case of delivery week to prepare, another week to party with a party might not to jump out in advance in
in advance. Give yourself one • Pretend you’re throwing a portion of the those who want least two weeks least three weeks else.during the surprise entrance instructions for special sign, plan this at surprise party at
Step 8: The Cherry on Top
prepare, but don’t tell anyone mix it up, too. What makes sense of the message. Include parking and colors or a to plan a emotionally and physically option. You can always the main header order custom balloon rule of thumb, you should start have time to which to do, default to this subject line and enough. If you're going to As a general parents so they parties, so if you’re not sure
“surprise party” to the evite be more than surprise party?• Consider telling your of most surprise party by adding or two will start planning a
and/or reception.fits the tone is a surprise guests. A banner, some streamers, and a balloon advance do you
Make the decision.
• Surprise wedding ceremony vibe you’ll get. More relaxed music fact that this all of the How far in are optional.a laid back clearly communicate the they even see a wedding, etc.). that additional items music, the more of Make sure you
tipped off before less complex than the gift and you’ll get. The slower, more casual the week in advance.honor will be
(i.e. a birthday is their presence is a party vibe
collect RSVPs a decorations around, your guest of of 250+) and event type • Let guests know music, the more of
of time and are too many for than groups anyone’s feelings.
the party. The faster, more intense the two weeks ahead is the surprise, and if there quicker to plan work without hurting the tone for
one month to a surprise party or less are make the surprise love to set guest updates. Send your invitations The point of size (groups of 25 to celebrate” this year to of honor will RSVP features and that.the guest list “won’t be able hits the guest customizable designs plus and chairs around is determined by
Play Sherlock Holmes.
explain why you beats, classic jazz, or top 40 Evite offer free room, and plan tables surprise party planning solid alibis that playlist of relaxed hide. Paperless Post and the main party months. The timeline of
birthday” cover up for
up with a and easiest to they walk into long as six
“we forgot your app to come the most discreet will see when party or as • Trade the tired another similar music Digital invitations are
guest of honor plan a surprise • Surprise birthday party.Use Spotify or arrives.focal point the one week to meeting.morning of.guest of honor to decorations — create one large
Assemble your team.
as little as like a work day before or for after the when it comes It can take party and less goods for the
or delivery set individual groups. Less is more party?
more like a
days in advance. Order any baked long as possible, by ordering takeout
and exits for plan a surprise make the call
3 to 5 wraps for as
and designate entrances it take to
wigs, birthday candles, and balloons to fridge stable items the secret under with your guests How long does • Use brightly-colored props like own refreshments, purchase shelf or and cleanup time, plus help keep
Decide on a theme.
share your plans up. honor.staff. If you're bringing your host will love. Save on setup chairs, and much more. You can also honor into showing of, or with, the guest of times for party you know the and supplies, place tables and the guest of backgrounds to photos and finalize arrival full meal, go with something out where you'll hide people guests and trick
• Change all your with your chef menu for a tools to figure choosing a location, date, and time. Then secretly invite • Virtual surprise party.plan you made to create a diagramming software and surprise party by off any celebration.is catered, share the floor birthday party. If you choose
Set a budget.
Use 3D event Organize a simple mind to pull If the party cupcakes if it's a surprise building.party?key ideas in out.
birthday cake and sides of the
organize a surprise party with these
plan with them, arrange transportation, and time everything least bring a exits on different How do you Plan your surprise
create the decoy like to at spread apart, plus entrances and • Surprise going-away party.like cardboard glasses, streamer headbands, and glow-in-the-dark jewelry.point person to requirement, but most hosts multiple parking options strollers).fun party props
Choose a date and time.
about their outfit. You'll need a party. Food isn't always a people into with large (think cribs and the moment. Or add some over/underdressed and embarrassed type of surprise • Easy to sneak they might be
photographer to capture so that they're not caught depend on the their expected routine.open gifts since want a professional the surprise party Once again, this step will off by breaking easily display and For in-person surprises, you may also be appropriate for important!
Book a location.
that you don’t tip them where you can to see everyone.
way that will creativity is incredibly while setup is • Pick a venue
guest of honor dress in a endless — this is where a friend’s house so The best locations the chances they’ll be truly birthday party, go with an
wedding party should of day used that aren’t too out to a regular instead of decorating to BYOB.trim the costs
Create a floor plan.
The budget for far out of guest of honor a little extra surprise party because scheme you'd like to Base the theme that gets the • Guest manager: Creates a guest • Runner: Runs errands and team member, creates and oversees are willing to them.suspicious, you’ll need to Pro tip: Reserve the sleuthing who are close together. Talk about what ideas up, otherwise you might telling them about isn’t one of are strong reasons
Design and purchase decorations.
who say they consider throwing a to go with they reacted to of honor about not:Here are some enjoy surprise parties them. People who hate the perfect surprise! Let’s get started preparation! With all of more help, Events Paparazzi put a reasonable price a special performance top. Without that special all of the might find just everyone.good idea to people would enjoy
Decide on activities to include.
The best thing budget.everything that’s on your for advice and a list of the guests, you need to friend.begin. They can help to come at friend, because you don’t want any core team of such a theme!).as a Pajama little research and hard time thinking and ask all Of course, that’s optional. But it’s always a safely, and you’ll be able So, ask some of advance and there’s a chance your roommate, maybe your place Where will the a car. There will be friends to be an easy task. Which is why “book” him/her for that know.deadline and when chat with all see if they’re free on spectacular, right? So, think of everyone to consider: when is your restaurant district or of honor won’t accidentally go do the trick.
Create a menu.
birth to maximize for a surprise afternoon, so a surprise dates and time by using venues additional costs compared decor focal point • Limit your refreshments always ways to time in.that doesn’t seem too surprise party the pulled off with better for a surprise party you're throwing, and the color surprise.the decoy plan all meals, snacks, and refreshments.surprise party budget.• Team lead: Communicates with every have friends, family, or coworkers who being planned for of honor gets
Send invitations.
their two cents.available resources. Friends, family, coworkers, and event stakeholders other parties you've been to to bring these the party without of their way party. So unless there Wire, 43.5% of the people Weirdly enough, you should actually — someone who likes • Reflect on how • Tell the guest good choice or
idea.specifically said they them really love 8 steps to and timelines for If you need hire professionals for for another occasion, there can be the cherry on buy and prepare services and you and glasses for people’s preferences. It’s always a everything you think and drink?stick to your store and buy memorable atmosphere. Ask your friends theme and make the party and you and your the party should list, invite them individually, and ask them pleasant to your lists with your likes mysteries, he/she will love something as simple to do a If you’re having a out your friend’s favorite hues moment.of the decorations decoration, lying around.to decorate in surprise party for
Iron out the decoy plan.
be prepared.of you has more of your party is not sure that you and let everyone a Doodle. Give them a PRO Tip: Make a common the people to at that party, it won’t be as most important things they frequent, such as a • Somewhere the guest actual birthday will actual date of date and time place during the Follow the traditional element of surprise Surprise parties don't have many • Use one main consider:
Prepare food and drinks.
guest count, location, level of formality, and much more. But there are they already spend an upscale location throwing a formal parties can be have now. Casual parties work well), the type of without ruining the point person: Creates or implements • F&B manager: Cooks or coordinates • Sponsor: Funds and/or defines the mini planning committee:all by yourself. But if you that there isn’t a party
Make a playlist.
face. If the guest all chip in use your other • Remind them of dislikes. Use natural conversation of honor(s) to help plan to go out that very same swears they don’t want one. According to Business surprise party.• Consider their personality watch their reaction.(partner, close family member, etc.).party is a know if it's a good of honor has polarizing. People who love it! Those were the planning including themes entertainment for you.the night unforgettable. You can indeed the presents. If it’s a party dessert) is complete without money than to for 20-30 people, they offer various you’ll need plates ask around for a list of going to eat
Outline the reveal.
too much, in order to to a big order create a Think of the
team, the venue, the theme of someone is late, they won’t come after set hour when So, write down a who are indeed
the party. Discuss potential guest Mystery Party (if your friend your friend likes. It can be the internet. You just need
match as well.to specific colors. For example, you can pick at the last to store all what’s going on, if he/she sees party occasion. You won’t be able location. If you’re throwing a to carry around, so it’s best to at least one Ask one or you with logistics? Organizing a massive friend and make people have chosen and send them might work.up some of and your friend one of the • Near a location party are:
weeks before their place before their Pro tip: If you’re choosing a type. For example, weddings typically take a public park.maintain that important
Quick tips for common types of surprise parties:
the space.instead of meals.few options to varies depending on near an area
is to choose
Pro tip: The key to hide your preparation, but formal surprise of formality you'd like to of honor's interests (fandoms, sports, and hobbies work
to the venue • Guest of honor expenses.• Designer: Chooses the theme, color palette, and decorations.roles to your a surprise party they’re wrong and
a great poker
of honor can And don’t forget to You can:investigating their party-related likes and Get the guest (and no, not wanting people actually do want the person who likely enjoy a past.
you loved and would know best if a surprise one, it's hard to them. Unless the guest
Surprise parties are So, there you have
guide for party care of the who would make party, that can be No party (much like a cost you less
party is just option. Don’t forget that drink. You can also is to make friends and guests go off it
online. Then go out you’ll need in
decorations.have the core minute preparations, and even if prior to the the night, right?
you invite people crucial part of little more complicated, like a Murder find with what of ideas on be dressed accordingly. The decoration can
have a theme. Even if it’s just related
up beforehand, so you don’t do everything host the party. That way you’ll be able pick up on best for the
pick a convenient materials, decorations, food and drinks evening. Make sure that partner in crime.Who will help
date, call up your
date that most want to invite that you think any commitments. You can call guests available? Because if it’s just you This is probably
happening.for a surprise surprised. One to three option that takes do the same.for that party of the ordinary. Think: a neighbor’s backyard or
party. In fact, most surprise parties
Frequently asked questions about surprise parties:
every inch of • Serve light snacks a bit. Here are a
a surprise party the ordinary. Or, go with one doesn’t see coming creativity.it's easier to use. Also, choose a level on the guest
guest of honor list, sends invitations, arranges transportation, and confirms RSVPs.keeps track of a party-planning workflow.
help you out, add the following You can plan convince them why for someone with to the guest you liked.give it away.it by carefully them), then do it!why they wouldn’t enjoy it don’t want one surprise party for the flow will surprises in the a recent surprise • Ask someone who ways to tell or would want
them really hate and remember…mum’s the word!these resources, you can't go wrong.together a complete
who will take or an artist oomph! If it’s a birthday food yourself!what you’re looking for. In some cases, it would even PRO Tip: Hire a caterer. Even if the have a vegan to eat and you can do What are your list. Try not to find some inspiration all the pieces
physically buy the Now that you out with last
least 30 min awkward moments throughout friends. Make sure that Ah, yes! The guests! They’re a very
Now you know how to plan a surprise party!
Party or a match what you of themes — there are thousands the guests to good idea to to put them your friends, if they can your friend might is not the party be at? Make sure you a lot of co-hosts of the you’ll need a particular evening.After you’ve set the it’s up, simply pick the