To keep track of everything that involves when planning a party, the best thing that you can do is to have checklists.
A checklist of all the things that need to be accomplished and when you need to do them.
Doing so will eliminate a lot of the stress by staying organized and in control when planning your party.
Creating a budget should be the first thing on your list.
Doing so, you can figure out how many people that you can invite.
Once you figured out whom and how many guests the next step on your list is all related to the guests.
List the people you are going to invite, buying invitations, writing out invitations and sending out invitations.
Decide on a date when to send the invitations out, you should consider sending them out at least three weeks before the date of the party.
That means that your guests will have at least two weeks to RSVP if they will be attending or not.
You can always create a second list with all the people that you invited, making it easier to keep track on who will be attending.
Where is the party going to be held? That would be the next thing on your list.
If you have decided on a venue now is the time to do some research and find a place that fits your needs and budget.
It is always good to get quotes from several vendors and when you have them price the party you have to figure out if they will supply the food or not and how much it will all cost.
 You can then determine if you would like to have the party at your home and hire a caterer.
 On your checklist also put down; "get quotes from Caterers".
Or maybe you are planning on making all the food yourself, in which case you need to make a list of how much supplies and food will cost you.
 Once all of this is determined and if you decide to go with a caterer or vendor you will need to add a place on the checklist to book the vendor or caterer and further down the list place a check mark that will remind you to confirm with them closer to the party date.
  Other things to consider is when, where and how much to buy of, Plates, Napkins, Cups, Utensils, drinks and food.
Also keep in mind if you are planning on giving your guests some party favors during or at the end of the night.
If renting tables, chairs or maybe a tent that needs to be researched and added to the checklist.
The exact things that are on your checklist are greatly varied from party host to party host.
 But it is clear that creating a party planning checklist is a wonderful way to stay organized, get everything done in the proper amount of time and the ability to give the best party you can.