Wisconsin is such a beautiful state that many people who grow up here never leave. They start lives of their own and raise their kids in the splendor that is Americas Dairyland. If you are one of these people and your extended family is scattered about the state, one easy way to get everyone together is to host a family reunion. These parties bring everyone together, allowing cousins that rarely see each other a chance to catch up on family news and create bonds that will last a lifetime. Here are a few tips for planning an extra special day for you and your extended family.

Location – Choose a spot that is central for everyone. This might mean that the reunion is not held in your hometown. A hotel or event space is a great idea, this way you have a big space for the party and rooms for people to spend the night. There are many ways to find the perfect spot. Search your local yellow pages for Waterfront Banquet Facilities Madison if you want to have your reunion near the water. You may want to consider having the reunion on the water by renting a boat and getting out on the lake.

Budget – You don’t want to foot the entire bill for the reunion so come up with a budget and ask everyone to contribute. Divide the budget up evenly and let everyone know what their share will cost. Try to keep expenses down; you don’t want to cause financial hardship for any of your family members. Renting the most expensive event space Madison, WI can run your cost up so be realistic when making decisions.

Dates and Invites – Set the date early, months in advance if possible. Its important that people have plenty of time to clear their schedule, this way you will ensure a big attendance. The summer months are usually best. You may want to consider planning it around a national holiday so people don’t have to take as much time off of work.

Food and Drinks – There are a couple of ways to go when it comes to food. You can ask everyone to bring a dish or you can hire a caterer. Having a potluck will save money but for people travelling a long distance, it can be hard to whip something up at the hotel. A caterer lets everyone enjoy the party without having to worry about preparing food.

Games and Activities – Plan some games and activities to break the ice and get everyone talking. Baseball or football games, talent shows, and contests are a wonderful way to get everyone reconnecting. Be sure to have prizes for the winners and distractions for the little ones.

Photos – Put one or two family members in charge of taking photos. Its not often everyone is together so be sure to take advantage of these photo opportunities.
Handing out disposable cameras is another great way to get candid and surprising photos.

Whether you are searching Reception Halls Madison, WI to find the perfect venue or mailing out the invites, planning a large family reunion is a lot of work. When the special day arrives, and your entire family surrounds you, the effort will be well worth it.

Filed under: Family Reunion