A themed paint and sip is an excellent way to celebrate a major event, from a wedding reception to a birthday party. Yet hosting a themed party can feel challenging. To make sure yours is the best it can possibly be, follow this easy timeline.
One Month Before: Book and Choose a Theme
At The Paint Place, we offer flexible scheduling at your venue or ours. However, we do book up. Likewise, the sooner you choose a date, the more likely it is that your guests will be free to attend. Midweek evenings and weekend afternoons are generally the most accommodating for everyone, and are the least likely to fill up. Try to hold your party a few days before or after any major holidays to minimize scheduling conflicts.
You should also choose your theme and overall plan at this time. We can provide an intimate class for 10 or a large-group event. We can host a sophisticated party for adults only or a family-friendly, all-ages bash. We can even help you decide on catering options and decorations. We just need to know what your overall vision is, and whether you prefer to hold your event at our studio or another venue. If you will hold your party at a location other than your home or our studio, remember to book your venue at this time as well.
Three Weeks Before: Select a Painting or Two and Send Custom Invitations
At The Paint Place, we pride ourselves on our vast library of paintings. While a traditional paint and sip focuses on recreating a single painting, we are happy to provide more flexibility for custom events. For example, you might choose one painting for the kids to work on, and something a bit more complicated for the adults. We will help you choose one or more paintings that fit with the theme you have in mind.
Now you are ready to create custom invitations. Formal invitations are a bit too reserved, while electronic invites make it tough to explain what you have in mind. We like artistic blank cards that allow you to fill in the details for extra personalization.
Also keep in mind that your guests might never have experienced a paint and sip. Consider enclosing a short note that explains what the event is and what is expected of them. Be sure to make the point that this is a stress-free activity that does not require any prior artistic knowledge or experience. Also ask them to arrive approximately 30 minutes before the party begins to give them time to get settled.
One Week Before: Plan the Details
At the Paint Place, we can help you plan out all of the details. By one week before the party, you should know what foods you are serving, how you will express your theme through decorations and music, and how you want the party to progress. Start making progress on each of these goals.
Two to Three Days Before: Set up the Venue
If we host your party at our studio, we will handle furniture arrangement, lighting, and similar tasks. If you are hosting at home or at another venue, this is the time to start setting up. Make a last-minute shopping list, look into task lighting, and ensure that everyone has a comfortable place to sit with room for supplies and a clear view of the artist leading the event. Cover the floor with drop cloths to protect against spills.
The Day Before:
Take care of your last minute shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Set out all of your supplies to ensure that nothing was forgotten.
One Hour Before:
Dress and make your way to your venue. You should arrive before your guests to handle any little tasks and make sure everything is just the way that you want it. Start the music, light candles if desired, and give the entire space a once-over. Just before your guests arrive, pour yourself a glass of wine and get ready to relax as we take charge of the event.
Please note that we are not licensed to sell or provide either alcohol or food. You are welcome to bring your own beer and wine to our studio, and to bring in professional caterers or food that you prepared offsite. We are happy to help you coordinate these jobs with outside vendors, and we can provide cups and corkscrews, but we cannot actually take charge of your food and beverage needs.