When organizing an event, planning is key. Time and time again we see customers and clients stressing out days before an event because they have not adequately planned, not realising the importance of planning in advance for their function.

We want to help you reduce your stress and help you plan your event properly! Here’s a list of questions you should ask to ensure your planning process is made easy!

1. Why are you having your event? What is your purpose? Do you want to celebrate an occasion? Thank your team for all their hard work? Have a new product to launch? Once you have a reason the rest is easy.
2. How many guests are you having? Who are your guests? Create a guest list well in advance so you can invite your guests and you know what type of numbers you are working with. This will also help further down when you are organizing your menu selections or a door list.
3. Budget? Your budget is very important. There are 2 ways you can work out your budget. 1 – How much do you want to spend per person? Work out a per person cost based on food and beverage and this becomes your budget? 2 – How much do you want to spend overall? Work out a number then break this into food, drinks, entertainment and incidentals. Having a budget will make planning for your event that much easier. Also when working with venues and event organizers let them know your budget as that will enable them to provide you with better options that are suited to your event!
4. Style of event? Are you wanting a sit down function, cocktail function or a special event? Having a style of event will enable you to choose the right venue.
5. Location? Melbourne is full of amazing venues. If you can narrow down a suburb or a few suburbs it will help you to narrow your searching time.
6. List your special requirements? Do you want live entertainment? Public Transport? Accommodation? Do you need AV? Having a list of special requirements will again make it easier to narrow down your venue as well as ensure you have a realistic budget.
7. Pick a date. For small events under 50 pax we recommend a month prior to your event. For anything larger we recommend 2 + months. This will ensure you have enough time to send out invites and have everything sorted well in advance.

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Treat your team this EOFY!

As the End of Financial Year approaches businesses are looking for new and exciting ways to say thank you to their team for all their hard work. Done are the days of dinner or celebratory drinks at the office, businesses are now looking for something different.

When you live and work in Melbourne you don’t just think great coffee and good food you expect it. Dining is now not just about great food it’s a whole experience and show. At South Wharf we not only have some of the best cuisines we have experiences to match.

Just like no two businesses are the same no two dining experiences should be the same.

Our progressive dinners are always popular as they spark conversation and excite even then fussiest of foodies. Whilst moving between venues staff can mingle and chat rather than sitting next Harry from HR who won’t stop talking about his goldfish. Theming these dinners to tie into your company values is always a winner not to mention it’s complimented with a tasty dinner! With our fire garden in full swing teams are opting for our winter warmer progressive experiences which include flaming cocktails, spicy entrees and mulled wine by the fire.

Why not turn your EOFY celebrations into a day event and partake in one of our many classes. From sausage and burger making classes through to vegan pad Thai there is something to suit everyone’s taste buds. As we all often hear “Education is the best gift you can give” why not give your employees the gift of knowledge though one of our many masterclasses? Learn about whisky or wine, sushi or sake give the gift of amazing food and drink with the bonus of a new skill.

At South Wharf Restaurants we have amazing teams who love what they do and it comes across in all our dining experiences. For all enquiries give me a call on 0438 623 799 or feel free to send me an email to events@southwharfrestaurants.com.au.

We work best with bespoke packages and like to be able to create something unique to your group. If you can image it we can create it!

Weddings on a Budget

“I just did not realize how expensive everything was” – Brides everywhere.

You have just gotten engaged and are starting to plan your wedding. The excitement of the engagement is very quickly over shadowed by the reality of just how expensive weddings actually are. You should not have to break your bank account to share your joyous moment with your loved one. Here are our top ten tips for keeping those wedding costs low.

1. Have a budget – the most important advice we can offer is to have a budget and stick to it. Tell your venue your budget, 9 times out of 10 they will be able to come up with a solution to fit that budget. Having a small function is better than not having a function at all for venues.
2. Look at different venue options – Function venues are known for having very high minimum spends to ensure they are covering overheads. Look at different venues. Restaurants are a great options as they already have a fully functioning kitchen, staff, furniture and décor.
3. Sharing Plates – Sharing plates are without doubt one of the best options any venue can have. They allow for guests to have options and portions that suit them. They are also a great way to bring your guests together. Sharing plates are usually less expensive and often able to be tailor made to suit your needs.
4. Drink Packages – Often drink packages sound like a great idea but then can quickly turn expensive. Why not opt for a bar tab with selected drinks available. Avoid the top shelf and see how much you save. Speak to your venue about customized drink packages. Any good venue would be willing to assist you.
5. Food Stations – Cocktail functions are great but can become quite expensive when wanting to feed everyone on canape options. Why not opt for a few cocktail items in conjunction with food stations. Your guests will go away you full bellies not to mention you have the wow factor of being served by your very own chef.
6. Utilize the furniture already within the venue – you can save hundreds, even thousands of dollars by seeing what furniture your venue has and utilizing that instead of hiring out. Also ask your venue what they suggest, they have been doing this for years and probably have lots of ideas to ensure you stay with your budget.
7. Use your Wedding Cake as your dessert – Often couples spend crazy amounts of lavished wedding cakes only to have a different desert served to guests. You will save a lot of money by serving your guests your cake as opposed to having a separate desert provided by the venue. You can event opt to having a cheese wheel cake and serving cheese and fruits as desert. Yummy!
8. Décor­ – Ask your venue what they are able to offer? Often venues have tea lights and fairy lights tucked away in storage. Put these with some flowers and you have beautiful timeless centerpieces for your tables. Venues also have suppliers at hand who are able to offer reduced rates. It never hurts to ask.
9. Get Creative – Think outside the box! Surprise weddings are a great way to avoid doubling costs of an engagement party and then a wedding. Not only will you surprise your guests you will also feel far less stressed!
10. Entertainment – Why spend thousands on entertainment when there is such a thing as Spotify? Why spend thousands on a photographer when every man, women and child has a phone to take edited and filtered photos. Why not set up a hashtag and then you have all your photos to pick from after then event.

You are about to start your new married life, so start it with some money left in the bank.