SUGAR & RIND BESPOKE PRESENTS
INSIDE SECRETS: SUMMER PARTY PLANNING TIPS
INTRODUCTION
There’s something about summer that brings out our most playful selves. The golden light and the clink of ice in a tall glass… It’s a season we absolutely love. We’ve seen it all – sunset soirées turning into moonlit revelry, pretty garden parties and hedonistic rooftop gatherings.
The team at Sugar & Rind know how to plan a magical summer party. But we also know that getting there (the planning, the logistics, the wet-weather contingency) can be a little less enjoyable. So we thought we’d let you in on some of our favourite summer party tips. Here’s what we always recommend when it comes to hosting the perfect celebration in summer.
THE VENUE SETS THE VIBE
We always start with the venue, and you don’t need a palace (though we’ve done these too). A well-loved back garden, a hidden rooftop, a private courtyard, even a borrowed field can be transformed into something spectacular with the right touches.
What we look for is character and a place that offers something unexpected if possible. The furniture, decorations, lighting etc can be layered in. So trust us when we say the location needn’t be overly extravagant.
LIGHTING IS NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT
If there’s one detail we always think carefully about, it’s lighting. It’s your best friend when it comes to setting the mood. We like seeing simple yet effective lighting such as candles in hurricane jars, festoon lights strung between trees, or subtle uplighting in flowerbeds. Lighting adds to the ambience and tells your guests that this is the place to party!
FOOD SHOULD FEEL FRESH AND UNFUSSY
In summer we like food to be vibrant, fresh, and unfussy. That doesn’t mean it isn’t special, you should aim for relaxed and elegant, rather than formal when you are deciding on the menu. We’re obsessed with big grazing tables that look as good as a painting. Think seafood platters on ice, chargrilled meats and bowls of colourful salads.
Consider live cooking stations, which we find are real crowd pleasers. There’s nothing like a chef finishing your flatbread over an open flame, or shucking oysters on request. This kind of interactive food is actually doubling up as entertainment!
THE BAR SHOULD BE A MOMENT
We’re not saying the bar has to be the star of the show… but we do believe it should feel like one. A well-stocked, beautifully styled bar invites guests to mingle while exploring the options. We love creating signature cocktails for parties, we try and give them witty names, use seasonal ingredients, and maybe even a cheeky nod to the host or a guest of honour.
Bonus tip: make sure the bar is manned by someone charismatic. A good bartender doesn’t just pour drinks, and guests will appreciate any drama that is on show.
EVENTERTAINMENT THAT UNFOLDS
We always say that a party should have a rhythm, and we recommend soft and slow early on, then lift the tempo, and finish with a sparkle. Consider starting with live acoustic music, just a voice and a guitar and as night falls hand over to a DJ who knows how to read a room. You could add in a saxophonist to play over the beat, and suddenly the party is epic.
Don’t feel you need to over-programme, but keep in mind that a few well-placed surprises keep things lively.
DON’T FORGET THOSE PERSONAL TOUCHES
The detail and the storytelling is our favourite area to plan. Menus with guest names tucked under napkins. Thoughtful touches in the bathrooms including sunscreen. And later on, espresso martinis or nighttime snacks handed out as guests begin to fade. It’s these little (but personal) gestures that can ensure your party is legendary rather than lovely.
SHOULD YOU DIY OR CALL IN THE EXPERTS
You can absolutely plan a fabulous party yourself, and we hope these tips have helped. But if you want to really enjoy your own event and glide around with a glass of fizz, then calling in a planner is worth its weight in gold. Avoid those tasks like checking on the food, taking coats from guests, or fielding texts from the band. Sugar & Rind will handle the logistics and the styling, our team will make the party feel magical.
Life’s too short to throw an average party, so get in touch with us HERE and we will help you plan something your guests will really remember.
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