Organising events and celebrations

People usually say creativity, but in my experience the crucial skill is anticipating what will go wrong. A good organiser has already asked what happens if it rains, if the caterer is an hour late, or if twenty extra guests turn up, and has a quiet plan for each. Close behind that comes the ability to delegate, because the person who insists on doing everything personally ends up arranging chairs while the guests are arriving. As for hiring professionals, I think it's mostly about buying peace of mind rather than expertise. At a wedding the couple and their parents want to be hosts, not stage managers, and a planner lets them actually enjoy the day. There's also a status element in some cases, where a lavish, professionally run event signals how well the family is doing. That said, I think something is lost. The most memorable party I ever attended was thrown together by friends in a borrowed garden, and its small imperfections were exactly what made it feel personal. Looking ahead, I'd guess big celebrations will become less frequent but more elaborate. The cost of venues and food keeps climbing, and younger couples in particular seem happier to invite forty people they love than four hundred they barely know. On the other hand, social media rewards spectacle, so the events that do happen will probably be designed with the photographs in mind. Fewer parties, then, but each one more carefully staged.