Private parties

Showers, graduations, reunions, holiday parties.

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Venue Capacity Calculator: How Many People Fit?calculator

How many people can my venue or tent actually hold?

Event Drink Calculator: How Much Alcohol for Your Party or Weddingcalculator

How much alcohol do I need for my event?

Tent Size Calculator: What Size Tent for Your Guest Countcalculator

What size tent do I need for my event?

Dance Floor Size Calculatorcalculator

How big should my dance floor be?

Do I Need a Permit to Serve Alcohol at a Private Event? (US)

Do I need a permit to serve (not sell) alcohol at my private event in the US?

Ontario Special Occasion Permit (SOP): When You Need One and What It Costs

Do I need a Special Occasion Permit for my Ontario event, and what does it cost?

All private parties decisions

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Budget & costs

Event Taxes, Service Charges and Tips in the US: What's Actually Added to Your Bill

What taxes and mandatory charges will be added to my US venue and catering quotes?

Village Hall Hire Costs (UK): Real Published Rates

How much does it cost to hire a village hall, and what should I check?

Work Holiday Party Budget: Per-Person Costs That Hold Up

How much should we budget per person for a work holiday party?

One-Day Event Insurance: What It Costs in the US and UK

How much does one-day event insurance cost?

Quantities & sizing

Catering Portions Per Person: How Much Food to Order

How much food do I need per person for my event?

Cake Size and Servings: What Your Guest Count Actually Needs

What size cake do I need for my guest count?

Choosing between options

Open Bar vs Cash Bar vs Dry: Cost and the Legal Line

Should I run an open bar, a cash bar, or a dry event?

DJ vs Live Band: The Real Cost Gap and When It's Worth It

Should I book a DJ or a live band?

Rules, permits & risk

How Long Can Buffet Food Sit Out? (US and UK Official Rules)

How long can food safely sit out at my event?

Protecting Your Wedding & Event Deposits (UK): s.75 and Your Rights

How do I protect my deposits if an event supplier goes bust or fails to deliver?

Operations & staffing

Toronto Park Events: When You Need a Permit and What's Not Allowed

Do I need a permit for a party, picnic or wedding ceremony in a Toronto park?

Every answer here is labeled (official fact, survey, calculated, or our stated rule) with sources and a verification date. How we decide