It doesn’t matter if it’s your Sweet Sixteen, Naughty Forty or some other kind of celebration, everyone wants to host a party where their guests can have a blast. But what if you really want your festivities to stand out from the crowd? Here are five things you will need to amp your party up to the next level.

Everything’s Better with a Booth

Have you ever seen people trying to cram themselves into a photo booth at a party? Go one better with an open-air booth. Never heard of such a thing? Open air booths are all the rage these days with forward thinking party planners. Companies such as Booth Boy specialise in open air booths, which come with unique backdrops, props, and even an attendant, just in case the booth stops. Make memories with your besties, or fit an entire party into one happy snap.

Get Creative with Your Venue

Don’t just book the same old bars or restaurants. Pick something unusual – hire out a theatre hall, or head to a rooftop. You could even create a whole new venue with a themed celebration, or by finding the most unlikely place to host a party and turning it into a fun experience for everyone.

If you want to save time scouring for ideas, turning to a party venue for hire never hurts. The best places, like these Melbourne venues for hire, offer a variety of custom amenities and services that take out a lot of the sweat and guesswork from your planning. Basically, you get the space and tools you need to set up the perfect bash in one go.

Obviously, you have to be smart with which you pick. Communication is key—talk to the venue managers and lay out everything you want and need for your celebration. Ask them about the traffic situation at their location to know how long it would actually take for everyone to get there. How big is their parking? Do they have promos? What freebies can you get for taking a package instead of the usual booking? All these considerations will help give you the best bang for your buck.

Make it Live and Loud

Forget Spotify. A live performance can create an atmosphere that a stereo just can’t. If you don’t have the budget for a band go one quirkier. Set up a stage and instruments, then let your musically talented friends and family get up and rock out to their own beat.

Want to make it even more fun? Have a karaoke machine. It’s an open, no-holds-barred, and totally electric way to play with everyone’s musical chops. Let everyone have a go at a little singing contest or chant until your voices can’t hold that Charlie Puth note; there’s no shame, just fun and games, which is really what matters in a good party.

Let There Be light

If you can make it glow, go for it. DIY glowing balloons are a good option, as are glowing drinks and other fun glow-in-the-dark party tricks. You’ve seen lanterns, but what about a sky full of lanterns? There’s nothing like a bit of clever light and shadow play to turn your party into a beautiful and memorable sight.

Avoid Budget Blowout

It’s easy to book a top-end venue, the hottest DJ of the moment and a group of attractive security guards to stand on the door – if you have the budget. But if you’re looking for the same levels of awesome without a huge price tag, there are ways of cutting costs. To save on food expenses ask guests to bring one dish each, and instead of hiring security, get some of your beefiest friends to keep an eye on the door.

If you’ve seen a string of predictable celebrations and would hate for yours to be just as generic, these tips are you best defense against a boring party. By keeping things unique yet simple and concentrating on having a good time, your party is sure to be a success.