Let’s Meet Out for Our Next Event

Yes, small gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus seem like a good health consideration, but even if we put our fears of infection aside for a moment, there are a number of advantages to holding small gatherings.

So What Makes Small So Good?

Small events literally open doors, offering you far more venues to work with if you’re planning out or giving you the opportunity to showcase your own home in interesting new ways. Furthermore, because you are dealing with limited space, you can focus more time (and often more money) on decorating the space in a way that appeals to you and that fits thematically with your gathering. And you can make the most of your small gathering by creating interesting intimate spaces for guests to interact. Try using furnishings, mirrors, and lighting to build a sense of separate spaces and then add objects of interest such as instruments, games, etc. that will be fun surprises for your guests as they discover the space.

And when it comes to activities, small gatherings allow for almost any space to become the focus of that favorite of party activities, dancing. Find a room with good dance space and remove seating. Be sure music can be clearly heard in the space and, if you’re serving cocktails, try to place the bar near your dance area. If you build the mixing station, they will dance!

Even if you’re not planning on drinking and dancing, small events offer the gift of intimacy. Guests at intimate gatherings have the opportunity to hold conversations in meaningful ways without the noise of a large venue, and if you’re looking to network, the small event is the way to go. Or if your gathering involves some central event, such as a film, games, or a performance, small venues offer every attendee a front-row seat. And that sense of being special, of being a VIP, keeps people coming back.

Another benefit of intimate gathering is the flexibility of the budget. While you may find that the cost per head doesn’t change from large to the small gathering, let’s face it, feeding 8 people is cheaper than feeding 100 when it comes to the final tally. And, of course, cost-cutting measures such as the pot-luck gathering are so much easier to organize when it comes to fewer attendees. The alternative is that you can stretch your budget further with a small group. That $500 that was going to buy a few cases of wine and beer and maybe some munchables for a large group can be built into a fully stocked bar replete with themed cocktails and a full dinner for the smaller group.

Finally, the smaller gathering offers less of everything in a good way. Even the most formal of small events means hiring less staff, which translates to less planning and expense. The small gathering is also inevitably easier to set up and easier to clean up.

Think Small, Party Big