Planners and party-throwers often go to great lengths to organize a very special party. There’s the theme, the food and drinks, the entertainment, and of course, the venue: all elements that must be planned with care and consideration.
With summer almost upon us (for those in the northern hemisphere, at least), now is the time to start planning an epic garden party you won’t soon forget. Here are some tips for pulling off a great outdoor soirée.
1) Choose your location wisely
The worst thing that could happen is to plan the most awesome day ever, only to have it ruined by rainy weather or sweltering heat.
Check the forecast before finalizing your plan; you can also talk to people who live in your area to get their opinions on what time of year is best for outdoor events. You’ll want to avoid having your party rained out, and equally undesirable would be to have guests sweltering in a heatwave with no shade or relief in sight.
2) Pick the right date
There are two things to consider when choosing your party date: availability of venues and availability of guests.
You’ll need to check with your friends, family members, or coworkers who you would like to attend to ensure that they have nothing planned for the day in question; you don’t want to be the jerk who double-books people.
As for the availability of venues, you will want to choose a date well in advance (at least three weeks) so that you can book your venue with plenty of time to spare. This way, if plans change or something comes up, you’ll have enough time to find an alternative plan, for example, an indoor party if it looks like rain.
3) Pick the right time
There are two things to consider when choosing your party time: entertainment and temperature.
First of all, you’ll need to make sure that you have a reliable source of entertainment for the duration of the party. If it’s going to be a large gathering, you’ll want to ensure that there is enough for everyone to do.
The other consideration is the temperature: something you can’t control unless you have access to a place with climate control. Outdoor venues are always easier because they’re no fuss if it rains—just open the doors! However, outdoor venues may not provide shelter from the sun, so you’ll need to have sunscreen on hand.
4) Food and drink
This is a no-brainer: people will want to eat and drink at your party! You’ve got two options here: offer a cash bar, or provide food and drink for all. Go for cake delivery Kuala Lumpur at your place.
If you’re going the route of a cash bar, pick out some drink recipes that are easy to make in advance (remembering the logistics of storage too) and print them on cute cocktail napkins.
If you’re offering free food, it’s a good idea to ask if anyone has any dietary restrictions or allergies. You’ll want to be prepared for special requests. If you plan on spending a lot of time outside, you’ll also want to keep cold food on hand for guests who don’t like to eat hot foods when it’s warm outside.
5) Pick out your party apparel
Just think about wearing something that won’t get ruined by the weather—and will still look festive! A light dress or a short-sleeved shirt is a good choice. Pack sunscreen if you’re going to be outside all day, and don’t forget your sunglasses.
6) Room for fun
You’ll want to make sure that everyone feels welcome in a place where they can mingle and have a good time.
The party venue should be inviting enough that people want to come through the door, and have enough room for everyone to sit down or stand. The last thing you want is for your guests to feel crammed together, as this will sap their enjoyment of the party.
7) Don’t skimp on decorations
This doesn’t mean that you need a lot of elaborate decors; it just means that you want to make your party stand out from the usual like the flower delivery Selangor for the unique decor.
For instance, if you’re using a backyard or outdoor space, consider stringing lights in the trees for an enchanting effect or set up some candlelit lanterns among flowers. Bright colors are all well and good, so long as they match your general party theme.
8) Music and ambiance
The music that you play sets the tone for your party; it can make or break the mood. If you’re playing recorded music, be sure to check with the venue about their sound equipment (or lack thereof). You may need to bring speakers, cords, though you should double-check before packing anything.
