Your party date
Pick your date and we'll build your personal planning timeline.
Your Party Planning Timeline
Sorting the guest list too?
Use the Party Guest List & RSVP Tracker to track who's coming, dietary needs and plus-ones alongside your timeline.
Quick guide
How to use the party planning checklist
- Choose your Party date.
- Press Build my timeline to see Your Party Planning Timeline.
- Check the sort-by date and status for each item.
- Use Copy my timeline or Print / Save as PDF to keep it.
What it does
- Works back from your party date
- Typical supplier booking order
- Sort-by date for each task
- Status for each item
- Copy, print or save as PDF
Use it with
- Party Budget Calculator – enter your party budget and guest numbers to get a suggested split across nine categories, with sliders to adjust each share and live totals
- Venue Capacity Checker – enter room length, width, guest numbers and layout to see whether your guests will fit comfortably. Includes a recommended dancefloor size
- Party Guest List & RSVP Tracker – track party guests, RSVPs, plus-ones and dietary needs in one list with a live headcount. It saves automatically in your browser
- Party Theme & Costume Idea Generator – choose your milestone and a vibe to get a party theme idea. Includes a dress code, colour palette and decor tips
Planning tips
A worked example: a 50th birthday in June
Four to six months before
Fix the date, set a budget and book the venue. Popular Saturdays in summer go early, so book the DJ and any photo booth at the same time. The party budget calculator helps you split the money before you commit.
Six to eight weeks before
Send the invitations with a reply-by date about three weeks before the party. Choose the theme and decorations, and order anything personalised, as printed items can take a couple of weeks.
The last fortnight
Confirm final numbers with the caterer, send the venue and supplier timings to everyone involved, and plan taxis home. In the last week, check the playlist requests and any speeches with your DJ so the evening runs to time.
Tim’s tip
Book the venue and entertainment first, as those are the items most likely to be taken on popular dates. Most other things can be arranged once the date and place are fixed.
Made by Tim Daymond (Tinsel Tim). Tim has been a DJ since 1976 and has run Mobile Disco Network since 2013. He plays weddings and parties across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. He is a Norfolk County Council Trading Standards Trusted Trader (ID 0000457), a member of the NADJ and the winner of 23 independent awards.
Why choose Tim · Awards · Reviews
Your privacy: this tool runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to Mobile Disco Network or stored on a server. Nothing is saved once you close the page. Email buttons only open your own email app, and nothing is sent until you press send.
Free to use, no sign-up. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.
Rather not run the night yourself?
Let Tim keep the party on track
Tim looks after the announcements, speeches, cake and dancing, so you can enjoy your own party. Book Tinsel Tim across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.
Rather talk it through? Call Tim on 07796 565918 or 01760 722283, or message him on WhatsApp.
Common questions
How far in advance should I book my party?
It depends on your date and how in-demand your venue and DJ are, but this tool builds a sensible "book by" order working back from your party date, covering venue, DJ, catering, cake and more.
What if I've already missed some of the "book by" dates?
These are general guidelines, not hard deadlines — if you're behind on a task, just get in touch with the supplier directly. Many things can still be booked closer to the date, especially outside peak season.
Does my timeline save if I close the page?
No, your timeline is generated fresh each time from your chosen date. Use "Copy my timeline" or "Print" if you want to keep a record to refer back to.
Party taking shape? Check Tinsel Tim is free on your date. Check your date → WhatsApp Tim