Planning a party? Wedding? Sweet 16? Bat Mitzvah? Here's some tips and pointers from a mom who knows!

Having hosted my daughter's Bat Mitzvah in 2010, I can tell you that giving yourself plenty of time to plan and get organized and locate a variety of resources is an enormous advantage. Here's a few pointers for anyone planning a big event.

1) First establish a to do list and transfer it to a calendar. Despite the fact that I'm on line nearly 24/7, I recommend using old fashioned pencil and paper for this. Print out a full year's calendar by month and begin to mark important deadlines starting with the event itself and working backwards. Writing in deadlines that are actually two weeks ahead of what you think it should be will be beneficial down the road.

2) Next make a list of all of the possible services/vendors you will need for your event including venue, music, videographer, photographer, transportation, decorations, party gifts, hair salon, and cake supplier. Make a page for each one and list those you have contacted, pricing, pros/cons, etc.

3) Once you choose a vendor ask them for referrals to other vendors and compare. Be sure to keep one list of all vendors with phone, email and address, pricing, etc.

4) Make a guest list in Excel, that way you can sort by last name, town, number of guests, transportation requirements, etc. You can also export and import that list for invitations.

5) Consider going green with invitations and request responses by email instead of return mail; your invitations can still be 'formally' printed but return reply cards are used less and less these days.

6) Plan to have all your party favors arrive one month in advance; this will make sure they arrive right on time ;) And be sure to order extra so that you have keepsakes and a few on hand for those individuals who will inevitably show up at the last minute but forget to respond.

7) Ask your venue how much they can do for you; push the envelope! Also ask what vendors they work with and recommend and if they have any party planning check lists.

8) Don't tell all of your friends and family your party ideas unless you really want everybody's opinion. Keeping some of the party planning ideas a secret is part of the fun.

9) Be sure to visit your venue a few times and review where everything will be; believe it or not, every time you go you will discover something you didn't realize the last time, plus you will have more knowledge of your party and its requirements and how the venue can help.  

10) Keep paper and pen with you at all times, you never know where inspiration will come from!

11) Think outside the box when it comes to table decorations. Themes can be fun for any age party but make sure the centerpiece can be taken home by someone or by all guests. Making a decoration in the center made up of 8 separate pieces that come together as one on the table means everyone goes home with something.

12) Finally, check and double check and then triple check everything, from the venue, to the photographer, to the dates and times and read all contracts for any mistakes, typos, etc. You'll be amazed at what might have "almost happened" if you hadn't called one more time!

Need more ideas? Attend the Celebrate! Party Showcase on March 25th at the Greenwich Hyatt. There will be more than 70 vendors on hand to talk to you about Sweet 16s, weddings, milestone birthday parties for all ages and Bat Mitzvahs. Registration is free at www.celebratepartyshowcase.com

FINALLY, HAVE FUN! You will have planned a long time for this event, be sure to take time to enjoy it on the day!