We Did the Damn Thing!
I made it through the LA Marathon…so I had a party…
Since I believe in celebrating everything...you know I HAD to throw a party after I ran the LA Marathon for the first and let's be honest...the only time. While training took priority, I made sure to carve out time to plan the perfect post-race party.
Here are the exact things I did in order to curate the party in the easiest way possible. These are all things you can do too and if you need any extra help…check out our concierge page to work with us!
Okay here are the 4 steps every good party planner needs to account for:
Select the venue: I knew wanted something casual that allowed kids and would be open during the day. Santa Monica Brew Works was perfect for this! I booked online and called to confirm because I am extra like that.
Check the venue rules: Once you book a venue, you must check with them on their policies and restrictions about bringing items in. Some venues don't allow outside food or flowers etc. or do not let you have any set-up time so it's best to always check what you are allowed before you start planning the rest! We recommend calling them to speak with someone directly or check out their FAQ on their website.
Decor & Accessories: Arguably the most fun part! I thought about all of the categories of things that I needed to get and customize. I focused on the following:
Napkins: this is an easy thing to personalize and have at the table or bar of any party
Coasters: since it was a party at a Brewery I felt it would be a nice touch
Favors: I wanted to give everyone candy since it was what I used to fuel during the race; I think favors are fun when they reference something, but not always necessary
Florals: I obviously love flowers and love using them to brighten up a table
Cookies: I am a big fan of custom cookies, and it was a great nod to different elements of the marathon
Cake: I am a huge sweets person so I definitely needed a cake and I adore the vintage cake trend that is happening right now
Disposable plates and utensils: I wanted mine to look a certain way vs. what they had, so I supplied my own. I typically like bamboo
Pro-Tip: I brought in my own baskets and platters, since I wanted to display the items properly.
Food & Drinks: Since this was a more casual party, all I had to do was pre-pay for the drinks in order to get the space, which works well for parties with mingling and not a sit-down dinner. In my case, everyone was able to order their drinks and then start their own tab if they wanted to order food.
If you are thinking of running….I highly recommend you train for more than 10 weeks like I did and definitely throw yourself a party!
