How to Plan an Epic Surprise Party: A Step-By-Step Guide (2025)

Wondering how to plan a surprise party? Life is better when it’s full of parties, so don’t skimp on the details!

With Peerspace, you really can be the host with the most. Peerspace is in the business of making party dreams come true. With the tips on this blog, a variety of gorgeous party venues, and awesome add-on options like drinks and catering, we’re here to help you take any party from basic to epic. Peerspace also happens to have the perfect space for whatever kind of event you’re planning.

We have perfect venues for a casual outdoor barbecue, an elegant engagement party, or a grand birthday bash. Also, when you book a Peerspace venue, you have the dedicated service of your venue’s local host to look forward to. Peerspace hosts strive to ensure you enjoy your time in their spaces and can often help you procure extras like catering, entertainment, and equipment.

Perhaps one of the trickiest parties to pull off is the surprise party. Every detail matters and not everyone may be up for the challenge. But when planned effectively, they can be one of the most memorable ways to celebrate any occasion. So if you’re looking for a way to spice up your next event, check out this step-by-step guide to planning an epic, stress-free surprise party.

1. Book a superb surprise venue on Peerspace

The first step to planning an amazing surprise party? Scoring a superb location! At Peerspace, that’s exactly what we help connect you with: amazing venues that suit your professional or personal needs.

Since you’ll want the party to be a complete surprise, it’s best to choose a location that doesn’t necessarily scream “party”. Just make sure the venue suits the honoree’s personality. Book a sophisticated spot if they love to dress up and get glamorous. Conversely, opt for a dive bar if they prefer casual atmospheres with cold drinks and dark corners.

Peerspace can help you find an unconventional venue like a store, home, gallery, warehouse, or even an outdoor garden. That way, when your unsuspecting guest arrives, they’ll be less likely to catch on to your scheming! And remember, Peerspace hosts not only invite you to host your special moments in their curated spaces, but they can also help with aspects of planning if needed. It’s the easiest way to take some of the stress out of party planning.

2. Pick a personalized theme to inspire the decor and more

The second step when you’re wondering how to plan a surprise party? Choose a theme based on the guest of honor’s favorite movies, books, or TV shows. A theme could even be as simple as a color scheme featuring a few of their favorite hues.

For example, let’s say your friend’s favorite book and movie is Alice in Wonderland. With Peerspace, you can find Alice in Wonderland-inspired spaces to help you host a surprise party that is perfectly tailored to your friend with ease. If you’re in Denver, CO, you can book this Alice in Littleton home that comprises 1,700 square feet of pure Wonderland inspiration. This venue boasts themed indoor and outdoor spaces in a party home setting, with arcade games, a hot tub, neon signs, photoshoot corners, and so much more.

This theme or color palette will help inform your choices for the party venue, invitations, tableware, decorations, music, food, and activities. Do your research thoroughly, though, because you won’t get to ask the party honoree for any input!

Does the guest of honor love the wild, wild west? Then you may just want to throw a surprise party using our awesome western theme party ideas, partner!

3. Send out sneaky invites

The worst thing that could happen after you put a lot of work into researching how to plan a surprise party? The guest of honor figuring it out! After all, there’s nothing worse than a spoiled surprise, so keep your invites on the down low!

Disguise your true intentions with code words and make sure all of your co-conspirators know the secret lingo. You can design and order your own clever invitations from scratch all on Canva. If graphic design isn’t your forte, resources like Minted offer an array of customizable invitations to suit any style.

Or, if physical invitations are too risky, keep it digital with email e-vites or a cleverly named private Facebook event. Include the time, date, venue, dress code, RSVP contact information, and any other relevant details. Lastly, remember to make it extra clear that it is a SURPRISE party so that no one accidentally lets the cat out of the bag!

4. Have a strong alibi in place on the day

In order to keep your party secret safe throughout the planning process, you’ll need an excuse to mask what you’re REALLY working on. Your chosen Peerspace venue can even become a part of your alibi. For example, if it is a theater or other artsy space, you can invent an exciting new fake project, like you’re hosting a screening or an opening exhibit.

You may also want to have a fake party plan that is totally different from your actual plan and on a random day. This is especially helpful if the surprise is for a birthday party.

In general, the key to keeping the surprise party a secret is making sure everyone is on the same page. Consider hosting a meeting early on with everyone involved in the planning process. Create a secret group chat where you can discuss all of the logistics without the guest of honor’s presence.

5. Order catering for food and drinks

Let’s be honest, most parties revolve around the food. So put some thought into your sustenance! Order from their favorite restaurant, set up a taco bar, or select a Peerspace venue with catering options to simplify the planning process. You can also book a private bartending service for cocktails and/or mocktails, or set up a cooler with fun bottled drink options like sparkling water, margaritas, and old-fashioned sodas.

When you use Peerspace to book a surprise party venue, you can get a ton of amazing services for less money than you may expect. For instance, our friends in Atlanta, GA need to check out this intimate pizza and kava bar and lounge in the West End. This inviting space provides you and your guests with pizzas, salads, and drinks, with options to suit any special dietary need, all starting at just $20 per hour!

According to a Peerspace reviewer who hosted their own party here: “I had an amazing birthday thanks to the hosts! The food was delicious, and the team was very accommodating. Would definitely book again!”

6. Add a sweet finishing touch by planning a yummy dessert

No matter what you are celebrating, no party is complete without something sweet! If you want to get extra fancy, you can set up a dessert station with a selection of different small bites such as colorful candies, custom cookies, macarons, cakesicles, cake-pops, whoopie pies, petit fours, and cupcakes. 

Display all your goodies with colorful jars, cake stands, platters, and trays, and top it off with a tablecloth, banners, and centerpieces that match your party theme. Pinterest is an endless source of inspiration for an aesthetically pleasing dessert table. Donut walls are also a popular, fun alternative to cake! You can order a pre-made pegboard on Etsy, or do it yourself with some supplies from your local hardware and craft stores.

7. Turn up the music to keep the party vibes going

Every party needs a soundtrack. Hire a DJ, book a band on Gigsalad or The Bash, or simply curate a killer playlist based on the guest of honor’s favorite songs.

If you’re booking a Peerspace venue, you can find a place with all of the audio equipment you need. Plus, depending on the venue, the host may be able to help you hire a band or DJ, which means you don’t have to worry about searching endlessly on other platforms.

As an example, check out this huge versatile event hall in Seattle, WA. It not only gives epic party vibes, but the host provides top-notch A/V equipment and offers DJ-ing services, too! Be sure to time your music so that a memorable song starts as soon as the guest of honor walks in!

8. Time to decorate (or enjoy the fact you booked an already decked-out Peerspace!)

Remember the theme you chose in step two? Now it’s time to find the decorations to match! Get creative with tissue paper and confetti, rent thematic props, thrift for unique pieces, and order flower walls and neon signs. Or, you can keep it simple with minimalistic balloons and centerpieces for every table.

Many of the venues on Peerspace are already Instagram-worthy, so you may even be able to skip this step entirely. One of our favorite suggestions is The Boho Place in Phoenix, AZ, which includes an array of lush live plants and beautiful furnishings on-site that you can utilize as your party decor. The fact that it includes seating, space for 50 guests, speakers, and an array of fun add-on services doesn’t hurt either. Brilliant!

Considering taking your surprise party poolside? Then you need to read our epic pool party ideas for adults next!

9. Scope out hiding spots

This is the biggest moment you must plan for is when you’re researching how to plan a surprise party. Make sure the venue has plenty of places for guests to hide for the big reveal! Familiarize yourself with the extra rooms and furniture in your venue before you book it, and go over where to hide with your guests.

10. Keep your supplies out of sight

Ask a friend if you can store all of the food, decorations, and other party supplies at their home to prevent the guest of honor from getting suspicious.

If you’re celebrating at a Peerspace venue, contact the host. They may be able to let you access the space early and hide the necessary items before the party starts. This is a simple but important step that can make or break your surprise.

11. Hire a videographer to capture every moment

You booked an incredible venue, have killer entertainment, and their friends are ready and waiting. Now comes the most important part: watching the guest of honor’s face when they realize they’re walking into their own surprise party! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment, so be sure a videographer is on hand to tape every sweet, sweet moment of it! You can all relive it whenever you need a good laugh. Oh, and of course, you can post it to social media for the whole world to enjoy!

Sure, we all have phones that can take okay videos, but being in charge of recording your event means you’re not free to enjoy it. Do yourself a favor, and hire a pro.

12. Host the party at a warehouse to up the surprise factor

This one may sound a little strange at first. A party at a warehouse? But hear us out! Warehouses across the country have become event and production hotspots. People have bought old, rundown warehouses and converted them into safe and beautiful spaces ideal for parties. Best of all, you can book warehouses with ease through Peerspace!

While most still retain touches of their industrial past, they’ve also been updated to include features like kitchens, lounges, bars, special lighting, and more. And of course, warehouses are spacious and set away from residential neighborhoods, making them ideal for parties if you plan on hiring a DJ and getting your dance on!

Most warehouses are in the industrial part of your town, so escorting the surprise party guest of honor to your chosen warehouse will definitely help you keep the rousing up. To learn where and how to plan a surprise party at a warehouse for a day, check out this article.

Peerspace makes surprise parties unforgettable

Pulling off a surprise party is tricky, but 100% possible. But with these tips and a stunning party venue rental through Peerspace, you’ll never go wrong! Follow these steps when you’re researching how to plan a surprise party, and your epic surprise celebration will go off without a hitch.

And be sure to reach out to your venue’s local host for any add-ons you may want or for more surprise party planning inspiration. The guest of honor will never see it coming and you will all have a blast!

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