This time I am going to write about my mother's 60th Surprise Birthday Party of July 21, 2012.
April 2012
The idea of throwing a party was far fetch since our family has been into a lot of financial struggles and a birthday party with a limited budget was impossible to pull off. So the conversation about mom's 60th birthday was just random and we talked about eating out just with the family.
May 2012
With very few pennies in my pocket, I wanted to give my mother a decent birthday bash and did not know how to come up with a budget. I was still penniless because of my heavy investments in my very infant events and wedding business. So I drafted a budget: Fifteen thousand Philippine Pesos (P15,000).
June 2012
I didn't exactly know what happened with the world this month, GOD moved the people to seek out for my services. Luckily, I got two events for this month. I saved my salary from my Writing job and my Events business to hit the budget. I planned for a semi-surprise party since I already mentioned to my mom before that I'd take care of everything and did not divulge any information about it anymore.
July 2012
The beginning of this month was all miraculous. I was contacted by a Manila-based Corporate Events specialist, Preconcept Design and Display Works, for a 3 day hosting job for a product launch. I gave them my rate and they agreed immediately. I was so humbled before GOD who provided in such perfect timing with the amount I needed to buy stuff for the party. The event was held on July 17, 18 and 19, 2012 and my mother's birthday fell on a Friday, July 20, so I told her that we'd celebrate it on a Saturday so there'd be no work or class.
July 20
Relatives from afar arrived and they stayed at my uncles house. My mother kept asking me where to get the money, what will happen, how many people are coming and how to throw a birthday party with a limited budget . I just stayed mum about it all.
July 21 - THE 60th BIRTHDAY SURPRISE
8am - I contacted my friends who worked in a restaurant to cook the food.
10am - My assistants helped me put up the balloons and decors. My cousins and relatives also helped. My mom also helped in preparing the house. I think she already had an idea that there was going to be a program of some sort. But I kept preparing and told her to relax and not to worry about anything.
5pm - I told my brother to take mom to the hair and make up artist. While mom was with the artist, I instructed him to pick up the Lechon which was also a secret.
6pm - I contacted mom's coworker to lend us some food warmers and also to be part of the program. The cake from my event cake supplier, Mam Gloria of Sweet Advocate, personally delivered the cake and cupcakes. She had magically stretched out my very little budget for cake and her chocolate moist cake was awesomely tasting good!
7pm - All set. The program I prepared started rolling. So here are some pic mementos of that very Divinely intervened event of the year:
It was a fun-filled love-abode semi-surprise event with family and friends from all over Mindanao to take part in this very special occasion. I must say truly GOD PROVIDES indeed! Before the event, I didn't know where or how I could come up with the funds to spend for a birthday party with a limited budget !
Our guest count was 60 guests. I will be breaking the budget accordingly as follows:
- Food and Chef: 3,500
- Lechon: 3,500
- Cake: 1,500
- Tables and Chairs Rental: 200
- Flying Balloons: 300
- Decors: 1,700
- Mom's Dress and Hair and Make-up: 500
- Souvenirs: 800
- Transportation: 200
- Logistics: 300
- Miscellaneous: 1500
TOTAL: 14,000
The biggest cost cut was the venue. The party was held in our house so there was no venue rental fees. I also did not opt for invitations since it was supposed to be a surprise. I really gave priority to the food since people enjoy a good party because primarily of the food next to program.
But of course, I also sought for sponsors to really trim down the costing:
Tarpaulin - My Brother-in-law
Big Cake - My Cousins
Softdrinks - My Aunt and Uncle
AVP Presentation - Norman James Lindo
Projector - My Friends
Manning and Assist - My Relatives
Transportation - My brother's car
Logistics - My Sister
Food Tray - Mom's Friend
I guess the part where you can save much from throwing an event really boils down to your resources. For the limited budget birthday party like I had, I had to really do the foot work to find ways and means to come up with alternative plan in case the original plan didn't work out. All in all, I should say it was a very successful event because everyone went home happy. That's the measure of a successful event - happy clients and happy guests!
I hope you got something out of this post! For more inquiries on how to plan an event without budget drain, email me at leahjacobeweddings@gmail.com
Happy thoughts only!
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