We all know summer is a great excuse to host your family and friends for a proper celebration, making the most of the sunnier skies and warmer days. Whatever the occasion you’re thinking of, it’s much easier to pull together a memorable event that you might think – these easy steps will have you hosting in no time at all.
Choosing the Perfect Venue
Picking out the right spot sets the tone for the whole evening. If you’re blessed with a big enough garden, that could be the ideal option – but don’t overlook local parks or community centres with outdoor space.
Consider your guest list size and the vibe you’re after. Somewhere that’s overly cramped can kill conversation, while vast spaces can be equally uninspiring. Scout a few spaces, pick one that feels right and then start planning out the key facilities like parking, toilets and power points (if required).
Creating a Simple but Tasty Menu
If you’re thinking of providing party food, then consider the atmosphere you’re going for. Sharing platters make it easy to pick as people go, while lighter Mediterranean-inspired spreads can be great for sit-down meals. Or go for fresher dishes with plenty of fruit and veg to work with the warmer days.
Prepare as much as you can in advance and don’t be afraid to ask guests to contribute a dish. It takes the pressure off you and often leads to delightful surprises.
Refreshing Summer Drink Ideas
Hydration is crucial when the sun’s beating down. Set up a drinks station with plenty of options, like flavoured waters using cucumber or mint, lemonade, iced teas and more. Fruit infusions can look impressive and give sparkling water a kick while requiring minimal fuss. Adding frozen berries into ice cubes can be a joyful touch too, pairing well with both fruity beverages and different waters.
Entertainment to Suit The Crowd
The best entertainment adapts to your guests’ energy levels. Lawn games like rounders or frisbee work well for active groups, whilst card games or free bingo to play along with can suit those preferring gentler activities.
Music sets the mood, so try curating playlists for different parts of the day, starting mellow and building energy as the evening progresses – but stick to crowd pleasers and more neutral genres as these are likely to get everyone feeling the beat.
Weather-Proofing Your Event
No one can really predict what the British weather will do on the day (not even the weather people!) so it’s good to have a backup. Gazebos or marquees provide shade and shelter without breaking the bank. If you’re stuck indoors, rearrange furniture to create flow between rooms and open all possible doors and windows.
Adding Personal Touches for Lasting Memories
Small gestures create big impacts. Set up a photo board for people to take their own, or showcase pictures from over the years. Small stations to leave notes or add in props for people to add to their selfies. These details don’t cost much but show people you want them to have the best time possible.
The secret to successful summer parties lies in the preparation – so have a long think about the event you want to ideally hold and the people to invite, then go from there!
