There are many ways to have a party, outdoors being one.  It’s one of those parties you can have for any occasion.  What’s excellent about outdoor parties is that any event is suitable; from birthdays to weddings, you can have any party outdoors.

Once you have gone over The Art of Party Planning, here are some ways to have an outdoor party. (The mentions of companies are my suggestion and my suggestion only.  In no way am I promoting them.)

First thing first, decide on the occasion.  It’s essential to decide on the event because this will help you set the ambiance for your party.  Are you having an outdoor wedding? If so, will it be an intimate gathering in your backyard or a lavish party by the beach? You can even Host a Fabulous Dinner Party outdoors.

After you have decided on the occasion and have completed basic party planning, here are a few necessary steps you can take to ensure a successful outdoor party.

While outdoor parties are great, having to deal with extreme weather conditions? Not so much.  It’s essential to check the weather forecast for that day ahead of time in case you need to make other arrangements, such as getting a tent. Spring, early or late summer, and early fall are a great time to host outdoor parties.  Even after taking the necessary steps, there are times when the weather will be unpredictable. 

For those of us who live in California, we know that the weather has a mind of its own. Because of this, I suggest arranging a tent for your guests to sit under, but if the weather does take a turn, don’t be disheartened; you can continue your party inside.  Remember, what matters is that you and your guests are enjoying yourselves, whether that is indoors or outdoors.

The timing of the party is critical.  High noon is the worst time to have a party. The last thing you need is for you and your guests to melt in the heat. If you are hosting a brunch outdoors, then before noon would be ideal, lunch during late afternoon and dinner late evening.

Arrange outdoor heat lamps if you have an outdoor party during the night, especially during the fall.   You don’t want your guests to freeze like an icicle, now do you?

Have you ever been to an outdoor party where you had a good time, but so did the mosquitoes and other insects with you? Or as soon as you sat down to eat, the flies decided to join you?

Not fun, right? 

A few things you can do for your guests are set up tiki torches for mosquitoes or arrange citronella candles throughout the backyard.  If you can’t do that, offer your guests mosquito repellent that they can use before stepping into the backyard.  (Do designate an area outside for your guests to use the repellent.  Please keep it away from food.)

The last thing is arranging the food and keeping it warm. One way to do this is to have chafing dishes.  You can get disposable ones at places like Party City, Walmart, and even Amazon. You can also arrange a thermal cooker or even electrical food warmers.

As your guests start to arrive, you can either direct them to the backyard or wherever it is that you are hosting your outdoor party or have a custom sign that let’s them know where the party is being held. After this, there’s only one thing left to do and that is: have fun and enjoy your party!

What’s great about outdoor parties is that you can have it any way you want. From formal to casual, the possibilities are endless.

I would love to hear about your outdoor parties.  Is there something that you do differently?

I hope this blog helps you plan that perfect outdoor party.

Until next time!