How to Plan the Best BYO Party
What is a BYO cruise?
A BYO (bring your own) party is an event where all guests bring their own food and (or) drink. These types of parties are a widespread feature of the Aussie culture, and is thought to have first become popular during the 1970s. BYO is typically favoured for BBQ and al fresco events, but it can also be convenient for other informal gatherings. If you’re looking for a party that ensures fun is had by all, but without causing too much hassle or expense for anyone, a BYO party could be the answer!
Although they aren’t as stressful as organising other types of parties, planning a BYO party can still be a fairly demanding task. To make sure everything runs smoothly, we have put together some of the main things you should consider whilst planning the event, but if you require any extra assistance or advice, please get in touch with a member of our friendly team, who will be more than happy to help.
Best Locations for BYO Parties in Sydney
Whether it is a BYO party, or an engagement party, you should always try to host the party at a unique and exciting venue. BYO parties can be thrown at your house, but this can be a little dull, and usually ends in a mass clear-up task, especially if there are a large number of guests! There are plenty of venues located within Sydney that can provide memorable and enjoyable parties. Bradfield Park, for example, is ideal for large groups wanting to chill out, enjoy a chilled beer and tuck into a picnic.
However, if you’re looking for a more luxurious venue, and one that can be hired for exclusive use, look no further than Karisma Cruises! Our beautiful and stylish vessel, Karisma, can be chartered out for all types of functions, including BYO parties, and it ensures an unforgettable occasion! Our BBQ can be used for sausages, skewers and other BBQ food, or we can serve your pre-prepared food at the buffet. Enjoy a relaxing experience on the Harbour, whilst our on-board crew serve the drinks and assist you with the food. Contact a member of our team today to find out more!
How to Plan Food for a BYO Party
One of the many advantages of a BYO party is that you can have everyone contribute to bringing food and drink to the party. This removes the stress and worry that would otherwise be on placed on one person, who would be responsible for buying, cooking, preparing, transporting and serving the food. It is common at some BYO parties for everyone to bring food and drink, and then share it with everyone in a buffet-like style. If this is the case, we highly recommend assigning each guest what food and drink is their responsibility to bring to the party. This will avoid everyone bringing the same food (although that would be incredibly funny!) and allow people to enjoy a wide range of nibbles and drinks. However, make sure that you let everyone know well in advance what they are expected to bring, so that they have plenty of time to plan and ensure they have the correct products.
A different concept behind BYO might be that you aren’t assigning each person to bring a plate of food or their own drinks and that you are actually organising it all yourself to be delivered to the venue prior to cut costs or to simply organise the types of dishes and refreshments you know your entire group love! Either way, you can decide which works for you.
Some of the more common types of catering for BYO parties include finger food and platters (sandwiches, crisps, nuts, cheeses, dips), BBQ food (burgers, kebabs, salads, bread rolls), and a selection of meats (pork, beef, turkey). However, BYO parties aren’t restricted to these types of food, whatever you fancy can be enjoyed!
What to do with the Extra Budget of a BYO Party
Expectedly, BYO parties are generally cheaper than catered parties, giving you the opportunity to spend that extra budget on some great add-ons. They aren’t always required, but they can sometimes help make your party that little bit extra special. A DJ is a great option, or if you are on-board Karisma Cruises, you can make use of our six-person heated spa!
If you are currently planning a BYO or any other type of party, we would love to help! Get in touch today to find out more about the service on offer by Karisma Cruises.
More information on BYO charters.
Further assistance in planning a BYO party
See more: Our Quick Guide to Organising a Party in Sydney
See more: Things to Do for Australia Day in Sydney