Because panic is not a planning strategy
Let’s be honest – planning an event can feel like juggling flaming batons while answering RSVP texts and praying your vendor picks up their phone. At Oak-Sage Events, we’ve seen the highs, the lows, and the “why-is-the-cake-still-in-traffic” moments.
If you want your next event to feel like magic (and not a meltdown), here are five mistakes you should definitely dodge:
1. Not Knowing Your WHY
We get it. It’s exciting and we are all for the vibes too. But vibes without vision can scatter fast. Before you start picking colors or pricing jollof rice, take a moment. What’s the goal of the event? Are you celebrating, launching, honoring or just flexing a little?
Quick tip: Before you start hunting for chairs, figure out the purpose. Defining your purpose early saves time, energy, and plenty of back-and-forth later on. Everything else would suddenly become ten times easier. Trust us.
2. Thinking You Have Plenty of Time (You Don’t)
Spoiler alert: the venue you love is probably already booked. That caterer with the good small chops? Fully loaded. And that DJ you heard at your cousin’s party? He’s in Dubai.
Time moves faster when you’re planning an event, especially when you start late.
Quick tip: Start early. Then start a little earlier than that.
3. Cramming Everything Into One Program
You don’t need five speeches, three performances, two games, and a surprise flash mob while your guests are still waiting for a meal. Unless your event is a 12-hour festival, that’s a lot. People came to celebrate, not survive.
Quick tip: A full lineup is not the same thing as a good event. Less is often more so keep it flowing and keep it fun.
4. Forgetting About Your Guests
You’ve planned the perfect party in your head… but did you think about parking? Or whether Grandma can find the restrooms? Guest experience is everything. A beautiful space means little if people feel lost, confused, or hungry.
Quick tip: Plan with your guests in mind. If something feels awkward, fix it before they get there. Think comfort, clear communication, and smooth flow from arrival to departure.
5. Trying to Do It All Yourself
Unless you’re secretly Beyoncé’s tour manager, planning a full event solo is a fast track to stress. Coordinating vendors, setting up decor, fixing sound checks, all while trying to look fabulous? Easier said than done.
Quick tip: Hire professionals (like us). You focus on enjoying the day. We’ll handle the rest.
Final Thoughts
Planning an event doesn’t have to feel like chaos in a pretty dress. With a team that plans ahead, solves problems quietly, and delivers beautifully, it can actually be fun. That’s what we do at Oak-Sage Events.
So, if you’re ready to throw something unforgettable (without the stress), we’re ready when you are.
