Every event—from the smallest birthday party to the grandest wedding—requires some planning and organization. How well you manage the details determines whether you have an outstanding event or just an average one. Whether you’re planning a party around your kitchen table or are part of a team of seasoned experts organizing the wedding of the century, the fundamental process for planning a successful event is more or less the same. Regardless of the type of event you are planning, here are seven steps to help ensure your event is successful and your planning process is fun and stress-free.

From natural disasters to drunk and disorderly guests, a myriad of things can happen to put a damper on your event. No matter how perfectly you plan your event, you can never eliminate the potential for unexpected blunders that could leave you with a major liability. From the drunken guest who sues you because he fell and broke an ankle at your party, to the hurricane that randomly destroys your wedding hall two months before your wedding, anything can happen—and when it does, you’re responsible for it. The good news is that you can protect yourself when catastrophe strikes—with event insurance. Event insurance is an invaluable asset to any event. Event insurance can cover everything from stolen jewelry to terrorist attacks. Protect yourself and your investment—take precautions against losing your deposits/money by purchasing event insurance.

Food and beverage expenses are often the largest single item in an event budget. More often than not, this is as true for weddings as it is for other types of events. As you plan your event and finalize your budget, it is especially important to play close attention to your catering decisions, as even small choices you make can have a big impact on the total cost.

Food is one of the most crucial elements of your event. It’s the part of your event that your guests will remember the most, so serving great-tasting food is of the utmost importance. When people reminisce about your wedding or party, the last thing you want is for them to recall is how the mashed potatoes were powdered and the chicken was so rubbery it was like biting into a pencil eraser!