6 Tips to Make Summer Entertaining a Breeze, According to Pros

Make a Game Plan

Whether you're looking to host a themed get-together or are happy keeping things ultra-casual, now is the time to lay all of your big ideas on the table. Madison Hummel of Madison Avenue Events stresses the importance of creating a vision for your event ahead of time.

"Do you want something big, bright, and welcoming like a backyard barbecue, or something intimate and sophisticated like a catered sit-down dinner?" she says. "Have fun perusing Pinterest and Instagram for ideas that you like and save them to a board to ensure they work together in a cohesive vision."

Set a Budget

Keep in mind that hosting expenses can add up very quickly. "Get out your favorite pen and notebook and list out top priorities," Hummel advises. "Is it food, entertainment, drinks, or a giant balloon garland? This will help guide you on where to invest your money right from the start."

While Instagram and Pinterest are certainly great resources for gathering inspiration, the parties featured online may be more costly than you might imagine. "Many of them start at $5,000 and can go up to $25,000 depending on the complexity," Hummel says. "So, make sure to be  realistic with the number."

Book Rentals Early

Don't procrastinate! If you plan to host a party sometime this season, square away all of your rentals early on, advises Qiana Turner at Madison Elyse Events.

"'Tis the season for outdoor parties and tents, tables and chairs may be hard to come by," she says. "By planning early, you get everything you need to make your outdoor soiree a success." 

Outsource When You Can

By no means should you expect to handle everything yourself when entertaining at home, says Kelly Soule of Kelly Elizabeth Events. "Cooking all the food, arranging flowers, mixing drinks—you can’t do it all and socialize with your guests," Soule notes.

Instead, play to your strengths. "Think about what pieces bring you the most joy and focus on those," Soule advises. Maybe this means that you design a fab tablescape—but abstain from cooking.

"Hire a caterer, order drop-off food service, or bring in a bartender," Soule suggests. "They can not only set up all of your food and keep your guests fed but also can help clean up," That sounds like a win-win to us.

Curate a Great Playlist

What's an outdoor get-together without music? Build a playlist (or recruit a music-loving friend or family member to do so), or opt for a live musician if you have the budget.

"If you have a speaker system set up at your home already, that is a great start," Soule says. "From a solo guitarist to full live band, live music always livens up the atmosphere and provides an impressive touch."

Set Out Water

It's imperative that you keep your guests nice and hydrated.

"While it’s very fun to think about all the delicious cocktails your guests can enjoy, on hot days what guests really need is water," Soule states. "Setting up a self-service water station is key and will allow guests to hydrate without affecting the bar line."

Don't be afraid to jazz up simple H20 with a few fun, fruity additions, as well. "For a special touch, add some flavors," Soule suggests. "Cucumber and mint, blueberry and lemon, and pineapple and coconut are some of our favorite infusion combinations. It’s as simple as cutting up the ingredients and dropping them in." Refreshing, simple, and healthy!