How to Plan a Successful Family Reunion

Step 1

First create a list of the individuals who will receive an invitation to the family reunion. Work with some of your family members to ensure that you don’t leave anyone out or hurt any feelings. The next thing you want to do is plan the date, but be careful not to ask everyone else what would be a good date for the event. If you do this, you’ll have tons of candidate dates and no progress on the event itself. Pick the date yourself and leave it up to others to make it.

Step 2

Book the venue. You may decide to have the family reunion at a relative’s large home or at a park or even a banquet hall. Be sure to call ahead and book the venue so you are assured of securing it, and ensure that there will be plenty of room for the amount of guests you will be inviting. If you will have a caterer, now is the time to call ahead and book this company or individual as well.

Step 3

Send out the invitations. Your guests can mark the right dates on their calendars with enough advance time to request vacation time or time off in order to be able to attend. Double-check your list to ensure that you are sending the invitations to everyone and that you’re not leaving anyone out. You may also want to purchase decorations or other items you will need at the family reunion. One great site that specializes in reunion supplies is Party 411 (see Resources).

Step 4

Double-check what you’ll need for the big day. You will want to make sure you have all your ducks in a row by ensuring that you have enough supplies and that you’ve hired all the companies you need–caterer, photographer, venue staff, etc. You’ll want to let these individuals know as you receive RSVPs how many persons will be attending so that they can all make accommodations to handle the projected number of guests.

Step 5

Gather the items you’ll need to decorate as well as check on any last-minute RSVPs one week before the reunion itself. If you’ve ordered anything to give as gifts to attendees, you may want to check and make sure they’ve arrived. Decorate your venue the moment it’s available. Also place a last follow-up call to the caterer, photographer, band or others you’ve hired. Then you’re ready to enjoy the fun part of the family reunion.