Religious Celebrations

Planning a celebration is not as easy as it seems! It is very easy for items to be forgotten

The following planning checklist guides you through the best way to organise the religious

occasion coming up in your life. It is only a guide for all religious occasions and can be

Download the printable version and get a head start on planning your celebration. We all

need a little help sometimes and Events Planner Online is more than happy to help you

Religious Occasion Checklist
When	Task	Complete
3-4 months prior	Begin preparations for the ceremony with the school, church/parish or synagogue.
	Create a list of information sessions and appointments scheduled leading up to the date of the ceremony and mark them on your calendar.
	Consider a date and time and check with key friends and relatives if the date is suitable or obtain the scheduled date from the school, church/parish or synagogue.
	Create a party folder or file - this is for your to record all your ideas and developments for the party after the ceremony.
	Determine an affordable budget (allow $10-20per head) for the party afterwards.
	Generate a guest list with consideration of your budget.
	Choose a location for the ceremony (if not with your school) and reserve a place for the ceremony.
	Choose a location for the celebrations after the ceremony and make reservations.
	For a party at a park, check with the local council if there are any regulations you need to follow.
	If you are having the party at a venue, discuss with management what you a required to bring on the day and what they will supply for you such as decorations. Also discuss whether you are able to bring your own decorations and how much time you have to decorate the room and when.
	Book entertainment E.G DJ or Band.
4 weeks prior	If hiring caterers, book their service now.
	Make or purchase invitations.
	Send invitations, be sure to specify an RSVP date so you can confirm number (make the RSVP date a week before the party)
	Create a contingency plan for an indoors party (only if you are having an outdoors party)
3 weeks prior	Begin plans for the cake. If you are making the cake from scratch, bake the cake, freeze it until closer to the party.
	If you are purchasing a cake, order the cake and arrange for the cake to be ready the morning of the party day.
	Arrange help from family members and friends for the party day.
	Make a list of things you will need on the day such as extra tables, serving platters and other supplies.
2 weeks prior	Ask friends and family if you are able to borrow extra supplies such as tables and chairs etc.
	Contact party hire for extra supplies such as tables if you are unable to obtain these items from your friends and family. Arrange a booking for these items.
	Create a decorations and venue plan (if having the party at home) - consider where powerpoints are for music and where you can hang things such as balloons and other decorations. This may not be necessary if having the party at a venue.
	Create a party food menu and a shopping list for food supplies (for self catering).
	Organise Music for the party - (if you are not hiring a DJ or Band).
1 week prior	Gather extra party supplies such as tables, chairs, serving platters.
	Go shopping and purchase all supplies for food that can be prepared in advance and frozen. Also purchase supplies to decorate the cake. It is quicker to spend a day shopping to get all your supplies together. However, you may prefer to break this up over the weeks leading up to the party.
	Prepare any foods that can be frozen until the party - try making a different party dish each night of the week to decrease the daunting task of preparing food for a large group.
	Follow up with guests who are yet to RSVP
	Prepare your party clothes - choose what you will wear to the party, you may not have time to worry about it on the day.
2-3 days prior	Go shopping for remaing party supplies (perishable items that cannot be frozen) and any supplies you have forgotten along the way.
Day before	Defrost the cake
	Clean and the party area(s)
	Set up party area (if the party is outside you may need to wait until the party day.
	Charge the camera and videocamera.
	Hang decorations (for an outdoors party you may need to wait for the party day)
	Prepare your party clothes - wash, iron etc.
Party Day!	Decorate cake (allow 1-2hours)
	Prepare remaining food such as fresh food platters with fruit and cheese.
	Quick tidy up of the party area and house
	Attend the religious ceremony, followed by the after celebration venue.
	Get ready to party!
	Have Fun!
	Clean up once guests have left.
Day after	Finish cleaning up party area
	Return hired party supplies
2-3 days after	Return borrowed party supplies
	Have your party pictures developed!
	Create a photo album dedicated to the day.
	Send Thank you cards.
	Email some pictures to guests and relatives.