How to plan the perfect summer party

The sun is shining, the nights are getting longer and summer is officially in the air. With the arrival of warm weather comes plenty of opportunities for outdoor dining with friends and family.

Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, a whimsical garden party or an intimate backyard wedding, here a few tips on how to plan the perfect outdoor event this summer season.

Get prepared

A little prep work goes a long way when it comes to party planning, especially when you’re hosting guests outside. Hose down that patio furniture, clean off the grill and set out some citronella candles to ward off those pesky bugs. Check with your guests to see if they have any dietary restrictions you’ll need to keep in mind and do as much food prep as you can ahead of time so that you’re not stuck in the kitchen for the entire event. Depending on the season, you may want to have a patio heater or fire pit on stand-by in order to keep your guests comfortable if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Set the mood

When it comes to dining al-fresco, the ambiance is just as important as the food. Create the perfect atmosphere for your gathering by curating a musical soundtrack that fits the mood. Once your playlist is programmed, dress up your outdoor setting with decorative outdoor accessories. Glowing lanterns, hanging baskets, vibrant throw pillows and outdoor rugs can really transform the look and feel of your space. Finally, hang up some enchanting string lights to keep your party area well-lit once the sun goes down.

Plan your menu

Think about the style of event you’re hosting and who you plan to invite – then design the menu accordingly. Different types of summer occasions call for complementary food and drink. A backyard bridal shower lends itself to a menu of Afternoon Tea or summer grazing options like seasonal salads, heirloom vegetables and Cedar-plank salmon. Meanwhile a Southern-style barbecue menu would be perfect for a lively family reunion with multiple generations, and a tropical Hawaiian-inspired cookout is a great option for a pool party. 

Keep it casual

Outdoor dining isn’t a time for fussy foods and formality. Eating in the great outdoors means you’re likely to encounter some messy moments, a chance of inclement weather, bugs, and often not enough seating for guests to dine with proper cutlery. Plan your menu with these limitations in mind – bite-sized finger foods, handheld options, and dishes that don’t require a knife and fork are often easiest. And be sure to keep plenty of napkins on hand to clean up spills and stains!

Ask for help

If you’re overwhelmed at the idea of hosting a summer soiree at home, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don’t fancy tons of cooking, throw a pot-luck style party and ask your friends and family to bring along an appetizer or a side dish to help round-out the menu. Alternatively, why not recruit our team of party-planners to create a custom event menu designed just for you? Working with a professional event caterer like Savoury City takes the headache out of planning and prepping, so you can focus on having fun in the sun with your friends and family.