It’s time to usher in the new year with a fun bash for family and friends. Here’s what you need to know leading up to your New Year’s Eve party. Send out the invitations — use Evite or the “plan an ...

The key is to a successful event is to focus on its purpose, the people you’re working with and a flexible plan.

☐ Determine the date of the party. ☐ Meet with the planner/florist/caterer/valet/music to secure the date on their calendars. ☐ Meet with the invitation vendor ...

12–14 weeks out: Start concepting. “Determine general event structure. Who, where, how many, what is the purpose of your event. Is there a theme? It’s okay if you don’t know every little detail yet.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Some people have a special ability to plan parties — whether they be weddings, large corporate events or smaller gatherings. If you have ...