Outdoor parties are almost always a blast. Whether you’re celebrating a graduation, hosting a wedding rehearsal, or just having a backyard barbecue, outdoor parties give you and your guests practically unlimited room to roam and mingle, all while you enjoy the great weather (assuming you’re lucky enough to have it).
But if you’re new to the world of hosting outdoor gatherings, it can be a bit intimidating to play the role of host. Fortunately, there are some strategies and approaches you can use to make sure your first outdoor party is unforgettable—for all the right reasons.
Key Tips for Outdoor Parties
Make sure you follow these important tips:
- Decide on a coordinating theme. First, consider deciding on some kind of coordinating theme. If you’re celebrating a specific event, like a graduation or a wedding, you’ll want to include décor that reflects the personality of the people you’re celebrating, and include some traditional flair (like balloons or party favors). You could also go with a more generic theme, like a tropical party or one from the 1970s.
- Send out invites far in advance. Schedules fill up fast, especially in summer, when most outdoor parties are held. It’s a good idea to send out invites as far in advance as is reasonable; you probably won’t need save-the-dates a year in advance, but it helps to give people a month or more to plan their attendance. This is also a good way to get RSVPs and ballpark your attendance.
- Set up a shelter in case of rain. The downside to planning in advance is dealing with the possibility of inclement weather. But you can still enjoy the outdoors in a bit of rain as long as you’ve prepared with a portable shelter. Set up a portable shelter, canopy, or other structure outside so people have a place to stay dry while it’s raining.
- Have a backup plan for inclement weather. That said, some storms are practically impossible to tough out with just a portable shelter; if inclement weather arises, you’ll need some kind of backup plan. Will you choose a rain date when you can reschedule the event? Or will you all move inside to finish the party?
- Have spaces for activity and rest. Outdoor parties allow people to move freely and have fun with sports, games, or wandering interactions, but you also should have designated areas for rest. You’ll want to set up your party to allow for both; for example, you can keep a large, open area in the middle of your backyard while providing seating under canopies on the side.
- Define several activities. Next, give people something to do—and give them an excuse to interact with each other. For most outdoor parties, this amounts to outdoor games, such as cornhole, ladder toss, or even lawn darts. You could also get creative with a scavenger hunt, or some other mental challenge that requires your guests to interact with each other.
- Have a clear plan for serving food. People gravitate to food and drinks, so make sure you’re providing a clear path to and from the food—otherwise, people will bunch up around the serving area, making things cluttered and confusing. You could plan to have a self-serving line leading up to a grill, for example, or scatter appetizers across various tables so people are more dispersed.
- Have a clear route back into the house. Eventually, people will need to find their way indoors, whether it’s to use the bathroom or to make a phone call in private. You can prepare for this by leaving a clear path back into the house, moving furniture and cleaning to ensure people can easily find what they’re looking for—without wandering around your home.
- Provide plenty of trash and recycling options. If you’re using disposable plates, cups, and other accessories, you’ll need to make sure your guests have plenty of trash and recycling options. Indicate what kind of items belong in each container, and have several containers available for your guests to use—otherwise, you’ll end up with a ton of trash in your yard.
- Get some music rolling. The ambiance of the outdoors might work fine on its own, but most people prefer a bit of background music to truly settle into an environment. Use a portable speaker to play some of your favorite upbeat tunes.
Learning From Experience
Once you’ve gone through the motions of planning and throwing an outdoor party once, you’ll get a better feel for what works and what doesn’t—especially with your group of friends or family members. You’ll likely be less stressed about the next one, and better able to plan your gathering effectively.