The Formula for a Perfect Summer Party

Whenever you’re planning a party, it’s important to make the organization systemic so that you don’t make a massive oversight. However, the plan behind the organization needs to take the context and general conditions into account. One of these contextual factors is the season, seeing as how it affects the daytime, climate, and many other factors that will heavily impact the course of your party.

So, when looking for a formula for a perfect party, you might want to look for a season-specific formula. For obvious reasons, summer is probably the most popular season for outdoor parties. It’s also a common vacationing time, which creates a perfect storm for all those who want to get the most out of it. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s a simple formula for a perfect summer party.

1. Send invitations in time

There are two major problems with planning a summer party. First of all, a lot of people go on vacation during summer, which means that if you don’t send your invitations in time, you’ll have no idea what kind of attendance you can expect. This is especially important if you’re throwing a wedding or a birthday party, where the attendance of certain people can make or break the event.

So, make sure to send out the invitations at least several weeks in advance. This way, people will be able to inform you if they already have other plans. Sometimes, it might even be a good idea to do a kind of a survey so that you can figure out who can actually attend.

The second problem is that, during summer, a lot of people are hosting events and parties, which means that the venue that you have in mind might not be available. Now, while this may sound a bit counterintuitive, it’s important that you keep in mind that you need to have a rough estimate of your attendance list even before you host an event. After all, the number of attendees will determine whether you can throw the party at home or if you need to book a venue. The number of attendees will also determine the size of the venue needed.

Keep in mind that no matter what you do regarding the organization, the attendees will determine the success of the party. Get this sorted out before you start any other stage of the organization.

1. Big-batch summer cocktail recipes

Alcoholic beverages have the agency of a social lubricant during any party. However, as a party planner, you need to observe them from both thematic and logistical standpoints. First, you want to ensure that they’re suitable to the theme and temperature. Second, you want to ensure that they’re provided in a sufficient quantity.

You don’t have to go for anything too complex. Red or white sangria is amazing in the summer, same as the rainbow sangria. Then, if you want something that will also fit the color palette of a summer party, you can always go for a creamsicle punch. Summer shandy punch is another amazing option that will give everyone a fun, fizzy time. What all these beverages have in common is that they’re cool, refreshing, and cost-effective. The quantity of alcohol that you can get on a budget is just second to none.

Keep in mind that, sometimes, aiming for the quantity is not the best course of action. Namely, what you’re looking for is an organization of a high-end event. In this case, a VIP bottle service is definitely preferred over a punch bowl. Just keep your priorities straight and learn how to properly budget it all.

1. Pick the right menu

One of the biggest challenges with hosting a summer party lies in coming up with the right menu. When it’s hot, digestion can be a lot more difficult, which is why some of the "heavier" food options may seem less appetizing. So, making a menu that is based heavily on fresh vegetables and fruit can make a world of difference. This is especially true for watery fruit (like tomatoes and watermelon), which will help keep your guests hydrated through the day. Seafood is another thematically fitting choice for a summer party.

Remember, appetizers are usually more effective and elegant than conventional meals. Preparing a decently-sized snack board is a must. Chicken souvlaki, Caprese salad, and bruschetta are universally effective. It is generally a good idea to look for Mediterranean dishes (and tropical dishes), seeing as how they were developed by people who had to face hot climates on a daily basis. Therefore, their cuisines evolved in this direction.

You also want to supplement your menu with summer beverages. While lemonade is a standard choice, there are many other options that you could go for. Watermelon juice and ice tea are two other fail-safe options. Just keep in mind to provide enough ice (in order to keep them cool), as well as to decorate them accordingly.

1. Decoration theme

Picking the right decoration theme for a summer party is simpler than you expect. First of all, if you have no other ideas, you just can’t go wrong with a luau party. If you have a suitable venue, a beach party is probably the simplest course of action that yields the best result. Those who want to add a touch of elegance can attempt to host a French garden party. Lastly, if you’re not that into an evening party, you can always go for a picnic-themed party or a pool party.

Other than just thinking about the decoration, you need to approach this matter from a pragmatic standpoint, as well. Even a summer evening can be incredibly hot, which is why you want to think about finding ways to help people cool down. Now, if you’re throwing a pool party, this really shouldn’t be an issue. Otherwise, you might want to consider investing in mist dispensers. These devices are relatively inexpensive and create a massive atmospheric difference in the area.

Remember that the theme can be set through other means than just decoration. A proper playlist is just as important, if not the most important, the decision when it comes to planning any party. Now, different people will define the term summer hit differently. Make sure to pick an option that will get people dancing. Also, keep in mind that, when it comes to music, it’s all subjective, however, you’re not picking for yourself alone but for the rest of the crew, as well.

In Conclusion

Keep in mind that any formula needs to be adjusted to your current plans and situation. The first consideration should always be the date and time. Next, handle the attendance and pick the venue. With these massive items out of the way, all you need to do is handle finer details. In summer, these details are usually the choice of the theme, refreshment, and soundtrack. Overall, it’s a lot to handle at once, but once you break it down into steps, it becomes a lot simpler to handle.

My name is Stacey Shannon and I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am really passionate about writing and I consider myself a creative person, and a cat lover.