From: Sarah Thompson sarah.thompson@email.com
To: Michael Chen michael.chen@email.com, Jessica Lee jessica.lee@email.com
Subject: Aunt Carol's Surprise 60th Birthday Party!
Date: October 26, 2023 10:30 AM

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking about Aunt Carol's 60th birthday, which is fast approaching on December 15th, and I'm really keen to throw her a fantastic surprise party! She absolutely deserves something special for her 60th milestone. I've already done a little preliminary scouting and have a couple of ideas we can discuss.

First, regarding potential dates: December 15th falls on a Thursday this year, so a weekend celebration would make much more sense for everyone's availability. I'm leaning towards either Saturday, December 17th, or Sunday, December 18th. My initial thought is that the 17th might be preferable, as it would allow guests a full day to recover before returning to work on Monday, especially if the party runs late.

For venues, I've explored two distinct options. "The Grand Bistro" offers a charming private dining room that comfortably accommodates up to 40 guests. Their elegant set menu is priced at $65 per person, which includes appetizers, a main course, and dessert. While it's sophisticated, it might be a tad too formal for Carol's usual relaxed style. Crucially, The Grand Bistro is only available on the 17th. My second thought was "The Community Hall" downtown. This venue is significantly larger, capable of holding over 100 people, and provides the flexibility for us to arrange our own catering, which could result in substantial cost savings. An added bonus is its small stage, perfect if anyone wishes to give a speech or perform. The Community Hall has availability on both the 17th and the 18th.

I've also started a preliminary guest list to get us going. So far, I've noted Uncle Bob and his two children, Grandma Sue, Cousin Emily and her husband David, and of course, the three of us (Michael, Jessica, and myself). That totals approximately 10 adults and 2 children. We absolutely must include her closest friends, Brenda and Mark, as well as her core group from the gardening club – I think there are about five of them. I'll definitely need your collective input to compile a more comprehensive and accurate list.

Please let me know your thoughts on these proposed dates and venues, and if you have any alternative suggestions. Most importantly, let's keep this under wraps from Aunt Carol!

Best,
Sarah