Stay Golden Event Hire Blog

8 ways to save on your next party

Budgeting for a party can be a fun and rewarding way to host a gathering while keeping costs under control. Here are 10 tips to budget for your next garden party:

1. Use your garden: One of the biggest cost savings is using your own garden or outdoor space for the party instead of renting a venue.
2. Potluck-style catering: Consider making it a potluck party where each guest brings a dish to share. This spreads the cost of food and ensures a variety of dishes.
3. Borrow or hire instead of buying: If you need additional items such as tables, chairs, or outdoor lighting, consider borrowing or renting them instead of purchasing.
4. BYOB: If alcohol is part of the plan, consider having a "Bring Your Own Beverage" policy to reduce your expenses on drinks.
5. DIY decorations: Create your own decorations using materials from your garden or items you already have at home. Pinterest and DIY websites can provide inspiration.
6. Plan simple entertainment: Organise low-cost entertainment like a music playlist, lawn games, or a DIY photo booth rather than hiring expensive entertainers or renting equipment.
7. Reduce waste: Opt for reusable plates, utensils, and glassware instead of disposable ones. This is not only more environmentally friendly but also cost-effective in the long run.
8. Digital invitations: Use free invitation templates instead of printed and mailed invitations to save on stationery and postage costs.

Remember that a successful party is more about creating a pleasant atmosphere and enjoying the company of your guests than spending extravagantly. By budgeting wisely and using creative ideas, you can host a memorable and budget-friendly gathering. 

Halloween Party Ideas: Scary Tips and Tricks

Halloween, the spookiest time of the year, is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than by throwing the ultimate Halloween party! From eerie decorations to creepy cocktails, we've got you covered.

Create a Spooky Experience

To make your Halloween party truly memorable, you can create a series of unique and immersive experiences that will leave your guests talking about it for years to come. For example:

• Haunted House Escape Room: Create a DIY escape room with a haunted house theme. Guests must solve puzzles and riddles to "escape" the spooky scenario. Incorporate creepy clues and hidden surprises throughout your venue.
• Haunted House Maze: Transform your home or backyard into a spooky haunted house maze. Guests can navigate through dark corridors, encounter creepy characters, and face eerie surprises around every corner.
• Witch's Potion Class: Create a "Witch's Potion Class" experience where guests can mix and create their own spooky cocktails, mocktails, or potions. Provide ingredients, cauldrons, and guidance on concocting eerie beverages.

Creepy Decor

Halloween decorations, with their eerie charm and creative spookiness, transform spaces into captivating and festive realms of haunted delight. Some ideas include:

• Ghostly Floating Candles: Create a floating candle illusion from Harry Potter with battery-operated tea lights hung from fishing line. Hang them at varying heights to make it look like they're floating around your space. 
• Glowing Eyes in the Bushes: Cut eye shapes out of cardboard or use glow-in-the-dark stickers and hide them in your front yard bushes. When the lights are low, these eyes will give a startling effect.
• Balloon Arch: Create a Halloween-themed balloon arch over your doorway or party entrance. Use a combination of orange, black, and purple balloons and add spiderweb designs or spider-shaped balloons to enhance the theme.

Ghostly Competition

Hosting a Halloween contest can add a fun and engaging element to your Halloween celebration.

• Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Provide pumpkins and art supplies, and host a pumpkin decorating contest. Offer prizes for the most creative, scariest, and funniest designs.
• Spooky Scavenger Hunt: Organise a scavenger hunt with Halloween-themed clues and riddles. Guests can follow a trail that leads to hidden treasures or Halloween-themed prizes.
• Costume Contest: Encourage your guests to get creative with their costumes by hosting a costume contest. Award prizes for various categories like "Scariest Costume," "Best Group Costume," and "Most Original Costume." These contests add a fun and competitive element to your party.

Remember to tailor these ideas to your audience and the size of your party. With a little creativity and effort, your Halloween party can be a one-of-a-kind event that everyone will be talking about for years to come. So, embrace your inner witch or warlock, and start planning your Halloween extravaganza today. Your party is sure to be a hauntingly memorable event!

Published: October 14, 2023

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Spring is in the Air: How to Plan the Perfect Outdoor Party

Whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply the joy of spring itself, planning an outdoor party is a fantastic way to make the most of this beautiful season. In this blog, we'll guide you through some essential steps to ensure your springtime gathering is a smashing success.

Choose the Perfect Location

The first step in planning an outdoor party is selecting the ideal location. Here on the Gold Coast, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of picturesque settings, from beachside locales to lush gardens and tranquil parks. Consider the number of guests and the type of atmosphere you want to create, and the amenities available at the chosen location. For some, the best venue may only be a few steps away…their backyard!

Plan a Delicious Menu

The food you serve at your outdoor party can make or break the event. You can never go wrong with a classic barbie. Grill up some succulent snags, patties, and maybe some seafood for your guests. Don't forget the veggie options for non-meat eaters. Pair the barbecue with fresh salads, seasonal fruits, and some sweets. 

Refreshing Beverages

Spring can be warm, so be sure to offer a variety of refreshing beverages to keep your guests cool and hydrated. In addition to water, consider serving fruit punches, iced tea, and a selection of local wines or beers. To really uplevel your outdoor party, you can hire a tabletop bar or even tap bar to serve your drinks in style. 

Fun and Games

Entertain your guests with a range of outdoor activities and games. Cricket, frisbee, and a friendly game of touch football. Remember to provide seating areas for those who prefer to relax and socialise. White fan back chairs are a great option and they look heaps better than the standard plastic garden chair. Party hire can be a great way to source these chairs with

Comfort and Shade

Ensure your guests are comfortable by providing ample seating and shaded areas. Consider hiring tables, umbrellas, or party tents to protect everyone from the sun's rays. Provide blankets or cushions for a cosy lounging experience and don't forget to have sunscreen and insect repellent readily available.

Spring in Australia is a magical time, and hosting an outdoor party is an excellent way to celebrate the season's arrival and a great excuse to gather with family and friends. So, embrace the warm weather, the blooming flowers, and the spirit of spring, and start planning your unforgettable outdoor celebration today!

Published: 6 October 2023

How Gold Coast Event & Party Hire Stay Golden Got Started:

From the Gold Coast to Cali and Back.

Stay Golden Event Hire co-founder and Gold Coast native Warwick Pridham honed his craft – combining his passion for carpentry and having a few frosties with his mates – in an unlikely place: California. 

After meeting his wife Natalie at his local pub in Main Beach, they fell in love quickly and decided to get married and try living in California where Natalie was from. While in California, he turned a 1960s vintage caravan into a mobile bar hire business appropriately named Good Mates Mobile Bar. After having a blast rocking parties in the U.S. (and two children later), he recognised the potential to bring his expertise back to his home down under. 

Teaming up with his wife, Stay Golden Event Hire expands on Warwick’s initial mobile bar business with Natalie’s 15+ years project and event management expertise, after running multi-million dollar public relations budgets for some of the biggest tech companies in San Francisco. As a former publicist, she also brings her love for storytelling to produce impactful events that tell a story. 

Warwick’s passion for woodworking and carpentry is also still very evident in Stay Golden Event Hire with their custom and bespoke items for hire, including traditional tabletop bars, unique tap bars and more. He’s constantly adding new custom items to their inventory. That’s why they have items no other event hire offers. 

Stay Golden Event Hire’s goal is to make every celebration unique and a hassle-free experience. Whether you’re planning a wedding, shower, corporate event or any backyard party, Stay Golden Event Hire takes the pressure off of you. 

Planning an event soon, take a sneak peak at their inventory to get some inspiration.

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