Holding a Party Out-of-doors

In spite of the unpredictable British weather most people enjoy a party out-of-doors, epecially the relaxation of eating and drinking in the beautiful great outdoors. The tone of any al fresco party should be leisurely and informal, whether you are having a few friends round to eat in the garden or whether you have hired a stately park, complete with marquees and a classical music performance.

Don’t forget that your own garden can be one of the loveliest settings for an outdoor party, with a little bit of imagination you can transform even a small garden into a gorgeous outside dining room.

Tips for small and intimate parties

Use lots of additional flowers, striking vegetable displays, ice-sculptures, floral garlands, living willow baskets, painted wooden crates, jolly table linen and clever lighting effects.

For a more dramatic effect hire in statues, balustrades and wrought iron arches. Split your garden into “rooms” with temporary picket fencing or white-painted trellis.

Seating can be formal or bohemian style with lots of cushions, rugs or even deck chairs.

Erect a small striped open-sided garden style marquee for the bar. It makes a colourful and weatherproof feature, as well as being immediately visible. It can also hold some useful outdoor essentials such as sun block, insect repellent, sting lotion, ice-lollies for children and spare sun hats.

Cold buffets can be prepared well in advance but formal hot meals will take more planning to avoid you spending all your time in the kitchen instead of being outside having fun with your guests.

Barbecues are a very popular option to having pre-prepared food. They create a good community spirit and appeal to all age groups. Keep food simple but do try to be imaginative and inventive, a few sausages and a bit of plain steak won’t leave your guests hungry for more.

If you are going to hold a barbecue it is often a good idea to hand round a few trays of filling canapés to mop up the first alcohol of the evening and also to avoid leaving your guests ravenous, while you battle with damp charcoal or underdone food.

On the subject of barbecues we once went to a moonlight seafood barbecue in Hawaii and it was absolutely out of this world. Seated beside the rolling waves eating scallops, with masses of tossed salad accompanied by an ambrosial range of sauces, and pulling apart char-cooked fresh lobster, followed by gallons of ice cream and island-fruit sorbet was one of the most exciting gastronomic experiences we ever experienced!

If the weather looks like being a problem make sure you have an accessible area or room where people can run for shelter, with their food, as the first spots of rain begin to fall.

Don’t forget that a party that starts at lunchtime can finish in the dark, so be ready to switch on the lights or ignite a series of garden torches.

Outdoors on the grand scale

Apply the same basic rules as above but be prepared to splash out on a marquee or two.

Musical entertainment or some sort of spectacle will almost certainly be required to draw large numbers of guests together, otherwise your party will have no real heart.

You will need plenty of hired-in staff and possibly security, as well as barriers, to keep out gatecrashers or even unwelcome media.

Make sure grass is well mown before the event to avoid damp feet and hemlines.

Light all walkways at night.

Check local by-laws for late night drink licences, live music and firework displays.

Calculate the amount of food and drink you will need then double it – people are always much more hungry in the open air and decidedly more greedy when in a crowd.

Make sure you don’t forget to feed helpers, staff and entertainers.

If you have got financial backing for your event do make a huge fuss of the sponsors, that is if you want to be able to go back to them next year. They usually like their own pleasant, specially designated area, with a plentiful supply of champagne, excellent food which is accompanied by vintage wines and well-matured brandy and cigars to follow. A small gift for wives or girlfriends is also appreciated. All of this is a small price to pay for dependable generosity.

When your event is over do make sure that you leave the venue exactly as you found it or agree in the contract that any remaining rubbish will be disposed of by the venue as part of their fee.