A party planner takes the stress out of birthdays, 21sts, baby showers, bridal showers, kids' parties and milestone celebrations. They agree a theme and budget with you, book the entertainment and food, set up the decor and make sure the cake comes out at the right moment. Many work from home and travel to you, which makes a party at your house or hall very doable. Tell us the date, age or occasion, guest numbers and area, and party planners near you will quote directly.
Which parties a planner suits
Planners are a good fit when you want the party to look right and you do not have the time or confidence to pull it together:
- Kids' parties: theme, activities, a jumping castle, food and loot bags, plus one adult in charge of timing.
- 21sts, 30ths, 40ths and 50ths: a venue, a bar, music, photos and decor with a clear start and end time.
- Baby showers and bridal showers: a tea, brunch or garden setting, games, a dessert table and gifts.
- Home parties and braais: furniture, a tent, lighting and a clean-up plan.
For a bigger or more formal event, see event planners.
Themes, decor and entertainment
Choose a theme that suits the age and venue, and keep it to three or four colours. Balloon arches, backdrops, cake tables and picnic setups are typically rented for the day rather than bought; look at party decor hire for what is available. For children, plan activities in 20 to 30 minute blocks and keep the party to two to three hours. For adults, a bar, a DJ or a playlist and some good lighting matter more than elaborate decor. Ask the planner to include a back-up plan for rain and for load shedding, such as battery speakers and lanterns.
Party at home or at a venue
A party at home costs less on venue hire but needs more setup: tables, chairs, toilets, parking and a place to keep food cold. Check with neighbours and your complex or estate rules about noise and parking, and note that many areas have noise limits after 22:00. A hall, wine farm or restaurant includes tables and a kitchen, but may charge a minimum spend and restrict outside suppliers. If you have a lawn, a tent keeps guests dry and out of the sun, and a few extra tables stop a crowd forming in the kitchen.
Prices and what to check
Party planners price by package, hourly rate or a share of the party budget. A simple planning and styling package for a kids' party often costs R2,500 to R8,000 on top of the supplies; a themed 21st might be R6,000 to R20,000. Ask whether decor, delivery and clean-up are included, how long the planner stays, and whether the quote covers collecting the decor. Confirm the deposit, and what happens if you cancel or the weather turns.
What to include in your request
- Occasion, age of the guest of honour and date
- Number of adults and children
- Venue, or whether it is at home
- Theme, colours and entertainment you want
- Budget for planning, decor and food
Party Planners for different events
- Weddings and traditional ceremonies: a bridal shower, kitchen tea or bachelorette lunch with a theme, decor and games
- Corporate functions and year-end parties: an office birthday, baby shower or milestone celebration for a colleague with simple catering
- Conferences, launches and expos: a speakers' welcome braai or networking drinks hosted outside the main programme
- Birthdays and private parties: a 21st, 40th or 50th with a theme, cake table, bar and music, at home or a venue
- Kids' parties and baby showers: a themed children's party with a castle, entertainer, activities and food for the parents
- School events and matric dances: a class party, a graduation tea or a fundraising fun day run by the parents' committee
- Funerals, church and cultural gatherings: a church tea, baby shower or women's day lunch with decor and snacks
- Festivals, markets and sports days: a street party or holiday market with a children's corner, music and food stalls
Frequently asked questions
How much does a party planner cost in South Africa?
How far ahead should I book a party planner?
Can a party planner organise a party at my house?
Do I need to book a jumping castle separately?
Party Planners by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg