Things only people who run events will understand

If you have ever organized an event, you know. The event looks effortless from the outside. Behind the scenes, there is a lot of quiet panic and a lot of tape.

This list is for you. It is also for the people who have to live with you in the weeks before the big day. Pole, everyone.

The list

1. "Starting at 6pm" is a poetic idea. The people who arrive at 6pm are the organizers, the DJ and one very keen auntie.

2. The sound check is longer than the speeches. "Check, one, two" has been said about forty times. Everyone has heard it. Nobody has complained. Yet.

3. One extension cable decides your whole day. You planned the stage, the lighting, the seating and the budget. You did not plan for the cable that is two metres too short.

4. The programme has seven versions. "Programme_final.pdf", "Programme_final_final.pdf", "Programme_FINAL_this_one.pdf". Somebody is still holding the first one.

5. "Just five minutes" is the MC's favourite sentence. It has never meant five minutes.

6. The RSVP maths never adds up. Some people say yes and vanish. Some say no and arrive with three friends. Your calculator has stopped trusting you.

7. You count the chairs more times than you count your blessings. And then, you count them again.

8. The WhatsApp group has 200 unread messages before breakfast. Half are questions that the poster already answered. The other half are thumbs-up emojis.

9. "Is there parking?" is asked the day after you shared the parking details. Three times. By different people.

10. "Put me on the list" is a love language. Everyone has a friend who knows someone who knows you.

11. The dance floor is empty until one brave soul starts. Then it is impossible to clear. You will be grateful and slightly terrified in equal measure.

12. You smile at the guests while the generator, the caterer and the projector are all arguing behind you. They think it is all going to plan. Let them.

13. Your feet hurt on the last day, but your heart does not. Somewhere between the first guest and the last chair stacked, you realise you did it again.

Which one is you?

Send this list to the one organizer in your life who will say, "Number 4 is literally me." Then ask them how their last event went. Prepare to listen for a while.

One thing we can take off your list

Counting guests, collecting RSVPs and making sure the right people get in is a big chunk of the work. RahisiBook Events is built to make that part simpler. Guests book without an account and get a QR ticket on their phone. You can check them in by scanning.

The seven versions of the programme, you will have to handle yourself.