How far ahead should an office party be booked?

Two weeks at minimum, and considerably more in December. The checklist puts the venue at fourteen days because invitations cannot sensibly go out before it is confirmed.

How do I collect replies for a work event without chasing people?

Send one invitation with a single place to reply, rather than a message thread. The checklist separates sending invitations from collecting replies for exactly this reason.

Plan by occasion

Planning an office party

An office party is the one gathering where the venue usually is not your home, and that single difference moves everything earlier. A booking has to be confirmed before you can tell anyone where to go.

The full checklist

Timing is relative to the day of the gathering. Mehfeel turns this into real dates once you pick one.

Plan

Decide the guest list 10 days before
Collect RSVPs 1 week before
Set a rough budget 10 days before
Send invitations 1 week before
Plan the food & drinks 5 days before
Confirm the venue / booking 2 weeks before

Buy

Buy food & ingredients 2 days before
Buy drinks 2 days before
Buy decorations 3 days before · optional

Prepare

Clean & tidy the space The day before
Prep / cook the food The day before
Set up a music playlist The day before · optional

Day-of

Put up the decorations On the day · optional
Chill the drinks On the day
Welcome your guests On the day

After

Tidy up On the day
Thank your guests The day after · optional

What makes this one different

The venue sits fourteen days out, the earliest task on any of these lists. Nothing else can be finalised until the place and date are held.

Let Mehfeel keep the list.

Pick a date and this becomes a dated plan, with invitations and replies in one place — and the circle saved for the next one.

Join early access

Common questions

How far ahead should an office party be booked?: Two weeks at minimum, and considerably more in December. The checklist puts the venue at fourteen days because invitations cannot sensibly go out before it is confirmed.
How do I collect replies for a work event without chasing people?: Send one invitation with a single place to reply, rather than a message thread. The checklist separates sending invitations from collecting replies for exactly this reason.