How to be Prepared Before Your Event Stylist Arrives

Hosting and event at home can be stressful but being well prepared before your event stylist arrives on the day is crucial for a productive and stress free experience.

Here are my tips for preparing your party area, in order of priority:

1. CLEAR AND DECLUTTER HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS

• Remove Personal Items: Clear kitchen surfaces, countertops, tables, chairs, couches and entryways to create a blank canvas.
• Tuck Away Clutter: Store away daily clutter such as magazines, toys, medicine bottles, baby bottles, shoes, etc in crates, baskets or event better, closets. 🙂
• Create Space: Move furniture if necessary to create the maximum usable space and improve flow.
• The Braai Area:

By clearing away the clutter you help the event stylist understand the full potential of the party area immediately.

2. PERFORM TARGETED CLEANING

• Focus on First Impressions: Ensure the entryway to your home is welcoming, decluttered and opened up enough for large props to be carried through by the team.
• Sanitize Guest Areas: Clean the bathroom/s and wipe down all surfaces, especially in the kitchen as the event stylist might need to do some last minute preparation of food items just before the guests arrive.
• Clean Windows: Clean the windows in the main party area to let in natural light.
• Vacuum, Sweep and Mop: Sweep and mop floors and vacuum the carpets so that the space sparkles.
• Neaten up your Garden: Mow the lawn but refrain from irrigating the grass a couple of days ahead of to the event in order to preserve your grass, the guests’ shoes and any props or furniture pieces that might need to be placed directly on the grass.
• Grass: If you have dogs, do a poop run just before the event stylist and the team arrives to prevent any mishaps and to allow us to work freely and effectively.

3. ORGANIZE EVENT LOGISTICS

• Identify Power Outlets: Know where all electrical outlets are located and ensure that it works.
• Define Spaces: Determine which rooms or outdoor areas you want to use and which are off limits.
• Inventory Your Gear: If you have tables, chairs or decorations of your own you would like to use, place it it one area and make a list so that we know what we need to incorporate.
• Shade: Should

4. PREPARE FOR THE EVENT STYLIST AND THE TEAM’S ARRIVAL

• Secure Pets: We love pets and we would probably like to pet them but kindly keep your pets safely out of the way to ensure a speedy setup, avoid distractions and quite possible injuries.
• Prepare Your Vision: Have a rough idea of the layout you envision and let the event stylist do the rest!