Have the Right Time Frame

A party this big should never be rushed. You should start planning at least three months before the day of the party. Some even start planning 4-6 months before the party especially when they are organizing everything for the party. If you’re just planning a simple block party, three months should be more than enough.

This time frame is essential because you are not just setting the date that you want. You need to have a date that everyone would agree – including your local home owners association and government. If you think your party would block the road for a few hours, you need to ask permissions. Have the permissions in written format to avoid inconvenience. You don’t want your party to be stopped just because you didn’t have anything signed by the local authorities.

Distributing Help

As already indicated, a block party is a big party which means you can’t do it alone. If you have three months before the big day, you can easily ask for help from your neighbors. Their help is not necessarily something that will push them to spend. Ask around for some help with regards to utensils, tables, chairs and even grills. They can also help on the big day as you ask one or two men in the neighborhood to deal with the grills. Others will naturally help on the day through decorations.

Planning for Food and Entertainment

Once you have taken cared of the permissions and help from your neighbors, the remaining challenge is on food preparation and entertainment. A DJ is a perfect complement to a block party because you just have to hire one or two people and they can easily create the party mood. When it comes to food, think of it as an afternoon barbeque. Many on the menu will be grilled so preparation is relatively easy.

Final note: aside from asking for help, formalize the activity by sending out invitations especially to your neighbors who are helping you plan the event. This is a good way to remind your guests about the big day of your block party.

But just like everything that should be chosen for your party, any DJ would not suffice. You need to be careful about choosing a DJ because he or she could easily ruin the party. Remember that music is practically THE entertainment for the party so anything played would set the mood for the event.

Quality vs. Cost

Unfortunately, finding a good DJ on a budget can be challenging. You may find a good one that might agree to your budget if you have time to shop for rates but it’s too much effort for just one aspect of the party. If you don’t have the time then you could consider spending a little bit more for a good DJ. Here’s an even faster method to find a good DJ if you have the money: look for a talent agency. More often than not, they have a pool of musicians that would be perfect for your requirements.

Talking to the DJ

There is a possibility that a popular DJ in your area may not be good for your party. For example, a DJ is an expert in mixing techno-beats but you just wanted to have some popular pop tunes mixed for your party. He or she might create good music but it’s not according to your (or your guests) preferences.

To have a smarter decision with the right DJ, ask for a playlist. They will be more than happy to show you their collection. If you have a DJ that has your preferences for music, you could even ask for some customized playlist to get the party that you really wanted.

Equipment, Equipment, Equipment

A DJ, like a band, can only perform well if their equipments work. After agreeing with the DJ, ask him or her to give you a list of the things they will need and bring to the party. There might be some cable or power outlets needed to plug-in some of their gadgets. Also make sure the transportation agreement so that you can prepare in case you’ll be required to transport the DJ.

Remember these things and you’ll have a great DJ for the party. A great entertainment will improve your chances in hosting a memorable party.