When you get to the halfway marker between zero and 100 for birthdays, it calls for a big celebration! A special day like this deserves nothing less than an equally special birthday party. There are endless fun 50th birthday ideas to choose from, so we wanted to put together some tips and tricks on how to host a 50th birthday party to make your life a little easier. 

50th Birthday Party Checklist

1. Set a Budget

The first thing on your list when it comes to 50th birthday party planning is setting a budget. We suggest creating an overall budget and then breaking the budget down into smaller sub-categories such as the birthday party venue, additional event venue services, décor, furniture, invitations, food, drink, entertainment and so on. This will not only help you track and manage your budget closely but will also help you move funds around if you’re spending far less in one category versus another.

2. Choose a Venue

Once you have set your budget, you will want to choose a venue. We suggest searching birthday party venues near me to start with and narrow it down from there based on your needs and wants. It’s always a good idea to go into booking an event space with a list of non-negotiables. When you talk to event venue management, they are then clear on what you’re looking for and the price point that is within your budget. The more venues you look at, the easier it is to negotiate pricing.

3. Decide on a Theme

Next, you will choose a theme. This should be something fun and festive that represents the person’s birthday you’re celebrating. The theme will tie into all the details of the party such as décor, furniture, food and drinks, entertainment and so on. If you are not sure what to choose for a theme, you can always loop in an event planning team to help you come up with creative ideas.

4. Set Your Guest List

You will also want to choose the number of guests you would like to invite and make sure the size of the party you would like to host is compatible with the size of the venue. The last thing you want is a venue that is too cramped to hold everyone, or an event space so big it leaves awkward empty space. Once you have decided on the guests you would like to invite, you want to make sure you send out invitations in a timely manner so attendees can mark their calendar.

5. Plan Entertainment

You will also want to make sure your guests are entertained throughout the party and that the birthday bash is a huge success. Will you have live music? A photobooth? Games? Photo displays for people to look at? This is your chance to make sure everyone is having fun and stays at your party as long as possible.

6. Food and Drinks

Finally, you will want to plan out your food and drink menu. Make sure you find a fun way to have your food and drink choices play into the theme you chose. We always think for birthday parties it’s fun to have self-serving stations like a build your own cocktail bar and a buffet style food table. This way guests can eat and drink all night long as they please, without you having to worry about people being fed and getting their drinks on time. 

At Piovra Group, we plan a wide range of different events and would be more than happy to help you plan your 50th birthday party. With a long list of venues and connections, we have no doubt we can bring your vision to life just the way you imagined it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Piovra Group help me find a venue?
A: Of course. As a venue consultant, that is what we specialize in and have no doubt we can find you the perfect venue for your party.

Q: If I did decide to do a serve as you go option for food and drinks, could I still have that catered?
A: Absolutely. You can hire a company to not only set up the food and drinks, but monitor them throughout the whole party to make sure they are always stocked and ready to serve guests. 

Q: How do I know what a realistic budget is?
A: We can help you out with that. Once we get an idea of the number of guests you want to invite, food options, entertainment and décor, we can help you set realistic expectations.