Suzi Tozer has the answers. Over the past 20 years, she's been working with 100s of hosts giving wonderful parties and events.  She’s helped them find the piece de resistance, the ruah (spirit) and heart in their events while staying in their budgets.   Author of "How to Make Your Party Unforgettable without Breaking the Bank” she reveals the closely guarded secrets that successful party professionals use to make decisions and plan parties.   Join Suzi Tozer and a slew of party professionals from around the world as they share inspired tips and trends and the secrets on how to avoid the disasters to make your event something your guests will talk about for years to come. 

In this book, you'll learn from the professionals:

• Where you can save money by doing it yourself and when it’s more sensible to hire an expert.
• How to avoid the pit-falls of giving large events. 
• How to host events filled with panache and ruach (spirit)
• Recommendations for negotiating with hotels, caterers, photographers, and other party professionals. 
• Checklists, websites, instructions, and recommendations that are user friendly and cost effective.

Faced with planning a once in a life time event with over a 100 guests? 

• Wedding Receptions
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah (Shabbat Dinner, Kiddush Luncheons, Sunday Brunch), Faux Mitzvahs
• Anniversary Parties
• Milestone Birthdays
• Quinceañera – (keen-SAY-AN-YEAH-RA)
• Baby Showers, Wedding Showers
• Baptisms, Baby Naming, Bris
• Weddings and Anniversaries
• Engagement Parties, Rehearsal Dinners, Wedding Receptions, Sunday Brunch
• School Reunions or Family Reunions
• Company Parties,
• Company Picnics
• Awards Banquets
• Fundraisers
• Meetings
• Open Houses

Want to do it Bigger, Better, and with Fewer Headaches? 
Mylar or latex balloons?  Real china or high-quality disposable plates?  Buffet or sit down?  And what should the room look like, sound like, smell like?   With an astoundingly enormous wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise about the nuts and bolts of what it takes to throw a fun, entertaining, successful, affordable party or event for any occasion-- large or small, corporate or family, wedding or mixer or roast--Suzi Tozer steps up to be the champion of the average consumer who wants to do the most possible with their resources.  With the information, tips, secrets, and strategies found within this book, you will learn more than you ever thought possible to know about making the right choices to make your event not only memorable, but unforgettable.  You will be absolutely amazed, amused, and titillated at the vast pool of knowledge this party professional has amassed in her years of planning, organizing, consulting on, and throwing world-class events.  Plus, she's interviewed other party professionals from all over the world; so the supply of tips and tricks is nearly endless!  Close your eyes, open the book, and point your finger at any random page; you simply will not believe the amount of priceless gems that you will land on at random.  This is the perfect, the essential, the ultimate party primer, destined to become the industry standard.

Suzi Tozer’s Guarantee:
Money Back Guarantee: My promise, if using ideas and tips you find in “Unforgettable Parties…Without Breaking the Bank!” doesn’t save you money, time or headaches and if you don’t hear praise and congratulations on a fabulous event, then you may have a complete refund. 

Sample of What You’ll Find in Unforgettable Parties…Without Breaking the Bank!

Three Tips on How to Make Your Party Unforgettable… without Breaking the
Bank

Does your once in a life time event have to cost the same as the first year of college to be considered a wonderful event?  By knowing how to negotiate and what is negotiable, by being aware of what is available in the world of hosting events, and knowing what you can do yourself and what you should leave to the experts, you can save a lot of money. 

• Everything is Negotiable.  In this economy parties are booking later and the sweat is beading on the forehead of venue owners as their rooms sit empty but their fixed costs remain the same.  If you ask before you sign a contract, while you are still in negotiation, the venue should be willing to throw in incentives like I haven’t seen in the last twenty-five years.  Ask for the moon because even if you get close you’ll still be way ahead.  Ask for chair covers to be include mirror tiles for under your centerpieces,  upgraded bars, a couple extra hotel rooms,  coffee bars, risers for the head table…things that a year ago you’d pay a premium price to include.  They are more likely to be able to include extras that they own and will not cost them extra money.   Dinane Christie, Sales Manager at Courtyard by Marriott in Orlando, Florida says that the full service hotels, for whatever reason seem not to budge on their ancillary fees etc.   She says in a smaller hotel, the party planner or hosts has a more “real” and immediate opportunity to negotiate. The hotel sales person can make the decision to waive a room rental, or give a complimentary room, based on the overall good of the company and the client. No hoops to go through, you just know your business and what is right for each - making it a win-win situation.
  
  
• Put Heart in Your Event.  I worked at a catering company that did 4000 events a year.  Many times I spoke to hosts that had stayed up all night worrying about should they serve chicken with lemon sauce or Chicken Picatta, full open bar or beer and wine, Caesar Salad or Italian Salad?  Choose whatever your personal preference is.  Ten years from now, no one will remember.  What they will remember, is how you made them feel.  What was their first feeling when they walked in the room?  What did they smell, hear, taste and see?  How were they greeted when they walked in the door?  Did you touch their heart with your attention to detail, your concern with their comfort, and your thoughtfulness?  Was the last thing they saw when the left the event was a stack of dirty dishes by the door or a well planned out exit?  Spend your time and resources on the things that people will still be talking about ten years from now.  Find the piece de resistance of your event. 
  
  
• Know what you can do yourself and what you should leave to experts. 
  Before you hire a photographer, decorator, entertainment, rent a venue, or hire a caterer…think about your circle of influence.  Who do you know that might be able to help?    Will you volunteer….is a good way to phrase it when you aren’t going to be compensating them financially?    If they are doing a favor you have to bite your tongue because they won’t always do it the way you would do it.   

  In addition to a handwritten note for family, friends and professionals that have gone out of their way to help or give you special service, you also can give a small token gift.  Flowers, chocolates, gift cards, note cards, make a donation to their favorite charity in their name, plant a tree in their name, or get a little clever– get creative: 

  • As chairperson for the Volunteers for the Life Skills Walk, Laura gave rolls of lifesavers to her volunteers with notes telling them that they were lifesavers for donating their time and efforts.  
  • Marshal and Caryn, Chairpersons for the American Diabetes Association gala, gave their volunteers a Million-Dollar candy bar with a note “thanking them a million.”
  • Mike tucked lottery tickets into his thank-you notes to his buddies that threw him the world’s best bachelor party.  He said, “I’ll never be able to pay you back for all you did.”
  • Ruth gave each of the women that hosted a shower for her daughter a treasure box with a note that said, “I treasure your friendship and appreciate your help.”

  These are just a sample of the kind of tips you’ll find in the book. 

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Table of Contents

Introduction
What This Book Will Do – Learn From the Experts
What This Book Will Not Do
How to Use This Book
How to Plan Your Event

Chapter One – The Head, The Body and The Heart of the Party
Party Planning Overview
Setting a Budget
What is Negotiable?
When you “ASSUME” You…
Be Honest and Trust Your Professionals to Do Their Job
Party Solutions

Chapter Two – There is a Time for Everything
Choose the Perfect Location
The Focus Can Be New Year’s
The Focus can be a Home Wedding
The Focus Can Be Patriotic
The Focus Can Be on Halloween
Party Solutions

Chapter Three – Location, Location, Location 
Questions to Ask the Venue
Traditional Venues
Non-Traditional, Unique Venues
Finding a Unique Venue
Parking Issues
Party Solutions

Chapter Four - Quenching Their Thirst
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Beverage Bars - Doing it Yourself
Hot Chocolate Bar
Tea Bar
Distinctive Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Spirits
Bar Options
Specialty Drinks
Served with Panache
Ice

Chapter Five – So What Did They Serve? (Gotta have Great Food)
Sit-down Service
Buffet Service or American Service
Food Stations
Interactive Food Stations
Hors D’oeuvres
Food Tasting
Food Delivered to Your Home or Unique Venue and Served by Wait Staff
Keep Hot Food Hot
Keep Cold Food Cold
Serve Foods as if You’re Rich and Famous
Creative Salads, Butters and Beyond
Nibbles and Nosh on the Guest Tables
Beyond the Nut Bowl, Consider These Table Treats
DIY – (Do It Yourself)
Presentation – We Eat with our Eyes
Creative Presentation Pieces
Dessert Buffet
Party Solutions

Chapter Six – First Impressions Set the Tone
Invitations
Save-the-Date Notice
Invitation Ideas
Mailing Invitations
RSVP
Encouraging Guests to Attend Company or Association Events
Party Solutions

Chapter Seven – Decorate with the Intent to Create a Stage for your Event
The Focal Point of the Room
Color Scheme
Headliner Head Tables
Spotlighting the Guest of Honor
Decorating the Perimeter of the Room
Beautify the Venue
Decorating the Unexpected
Decorating the Center of the Room
Special Effects
Decorating with Floras
DIY – Do-It-Yourself Floral Arrangements
Decorating with Balloons
The Dance Floor
Party Solutions

Chapter Eight – Multimedia, Lighting and Special Effects
Audio-Visual Presentations
Showing the Presentation
Illumination
Candlelight
Party Solutions

Chapter Nine – Tabletops
High-Quality Disposable Plates Verses “Real” Plates
Tablecloths and Skirts
Dress Up Your Tables
Chairs
Napkins, Overlays and Accents
Napkin Folds
Cameras
Make Your Programs Stand Out
Centerpieces
Party Solutions

Chapter Ten – Spectacular Beginnings and Endings: Build Anticipation from the Parking Lot
Make Each Guest Feel Welcome
Creating Sensational Awareness by Appealing to their Senses
Ending with a Bang
Party Solutions

Chapter Eleven – Don’t Seat Me Next to Aunt Ruth! We are not Speaking
Place Cards
Create Place Cards They’ll Talk About
Party Solutions
Mix and Mingle
Encourage Random Seating
Guest Sign In
Inspired Table Themes
Party Solutions

Chapter Twelve – Find a Heartfelt Focus
How to Find a Focus
Brainstorming
Honoring Out of Town Guests
Honoring Guests at the Party
A Candle Lighting Ceremony
Honoring the Guest of Honor
Grand Entrance
Special Pictures
Honoring the Younger Guests
Special Way to Express Thanks
Party Favors

Chapter Thirteen – Activities & Entertainment
Entertainment
Midway Games for Picnics
Younger Children
Party Solutions

Chapter Fourteen – Picnics & Outdoor Events with Plenty of Pizzazz
Promoting Company Picnics
A Date and Picnic Site
Staff & Vendors
Grand Entrance
Fabulous Food in Outdoor Settings
Party Solutions

Chapter Fifteen
Top Disasters and How to Handle Them
Party Solutions
Share with Others