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So many people shy away from entertaining guests in their homes, due to the perception that it is too complicated, too much work, or will require too much time to pull off. Yet, with a little planning, your outdoor party can not only showcase your ability to design an outdoor space, but highlight your skills as a hostess/host.
Use the 5 ideas outlined below to become a pro at throwing an outdoor party:
Choose the Right Guests - Outdoor entertaining, or any dinner party for that matter, will be more successful if you spend a bit of time planning your guest list ahead of time. Putting people together that are likely to engage in conversation is easy when people with common interests are invited. If you plan to entertain regularly, compile a list of friends and acquaintances that you would like to spend time with, and review it each time you throw a dinner party. That way, you can invite new combinations of guests each time. Not only will this process create variety for you, but variety for the guests, creating a more interesting experience for everyone involved.
Choose Simple Food - Nothing is worse, for the guests or the chef, when a ton of time is spent in the kitchen or facing the barbeque preparing food during the event. To avoid this common mistake, prepare as much of the menu ahead of time as possible. Chop vegetables, organize garnishes and prepare and store anything that isn’t going to be served warm/hot prior to the initial guest’s arrival.
Design your Outdoor Space - To create good traffic flow when entertaining outdoors, create multiple seating areas. You’ll find that guests tend to gather in smaller groups to converse, so make the most of it. High quality outdoor furniture, such as Kingsley Bate teak furniture, will accommodate your guests well and make a lasting impression. Arrange it in groups, and if you need more space, throw some cushions on that outside storage bench and get double-duty out of it.
Create Stations - In addition to offering a variety for guest seating, it can be helpful to create stations for the food and beverages you plan to serve. This will keep people moving around. For example, set up a wine and beer station, a separate area for non-alcoholic beverages with ice, and a separate table for food service. If everything is located in the same spot, traffic can become bunched up during the event, particularly when dinner is ready to be served.
Use Seasonal Decorations - You don’t have to go overboard with decorations to have a successful outdoor event. When shopping for menu items, look around your local supermarket for seasonal food items that could serve two purposes; centerpieces and in a future menu. You can use items found in your own backyard whenever possible to minimize the event’s cost: flowers, branches, leaves, etc. often make great centerpiece displays.
By keeping these 5 simple ideas in mind whenever you design an outdoor space, you will not only minimize the amount of time spent on planning and set up, but your guests will be sure to have an amazing outdoor party at your home.
Stan Horst is an avid lover of everything outdoors: hiking, fishing, camping and entertaining at his home. He currently lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with his wife, 2 teenagers and faithful dog, Toby.
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