A Family Affair: How to Plan a Memorable Family Reunion

Plan ahead

Time can be the single most significant factor in planning a successful event. Most party planners agree that setting a date 9 months to a year in advance is a good rule of thumb, especially if you’re planning a destination reunion during the summer months. This way, families can plan around vacations, school activities, and other obligations. And you, as the organizer can have plenty of time to sort out all the details.

Also, it’s not a bad idea to invest in a day planner to stay ahead of deadlines and track essential details. If you prefer to go the digital route, look to apps to get the job done.

Delegate

Along with timing, being honest with yourself about your abilities and resources is another important factor in your ability to execute. You may volunteer to be the lead organizer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help with the details. Put a call out for help early on so people can step up and lighten the load. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work.” Plus, people will feel more invested in the outcome if they have a say in the planning.

Pick a picture-perfect venue

Your choice of venue will depend a lot on your family members’ ages, style, interests, and budgets. For example, an extended family with lots of kids may look to rent a park pavilion for an afternoon. On the other hand, renting a beach house or houses for the weekend may be more appealing to an older crowd. Or maybe you simply want to set up in the back yard and host a no-fuss event. Regardless of the particulars, what matters is that people have fun!

Make it your own

Add your own special touch to the reunion with some swag, flair, and find ways to make new memories! For example, you could make a collage of family photos and use them as table decor. (See how far you can go back in your family tree!)

And don’t forget about entertainment! Depending on the venue, you might not need to plan much. (For example, the beach would provide endless fun.) If you’re hosting your reunion at a park, you might opt for lawn games like cornhole, ring toss, etc. For kids (and kids at heart), water balloons pack a refreshing punch.

Be sure to capture the fun, too!  You might consider booking a professional photographer for a group portrait. Photobooths are a big hit, also. If you want to send them home with something tangible, custom coffee mugs, T-shirts and the like can help keep the event alive in everyone's memory for a long time.

Whether your family reunion is small and intimate or a large-scale affair, you’re sure to make a lasting impression. And if you pulled off a successful reunion with the help of AAYS Event Rentals, you’ll leave them excited for the next one!

You may also like this blog article: Plan a Family Reunion Your Family Will Love