Summer Parties and Get-Togethers: Your Guide to Outdoor Summer Hosting

Summer is a favorite season for many, with plenty of warm weather and sunshine to enjoy. Seasonal parties and get-togethers for friends and family are a perfect summer entertainment choice. Whether you have a full-size yard, a small outdoor space, or plan to rent a venue, outdoor summer get-togethers offer you and your loved ones the opportunity to make the most of the season. As a Certified Wedding Planner and co-founder of The Valley Venues estate just outside of Chattanooga, Tenn., Kobi Cummings is an expert in event planning.

As you prepare for your first gathering of the summer, Cummings suggests keeping these trends in mind to create the perfect outdoor setting for lasting memories.

Outdoor pizza ovens are back

Cummings shares that one outdoor home entertainment trend that is making a big comeback is al fresco pizza ovens. Typically found in your local pizzeria, wood- or gas-fired pizza ovens are a great option for fun, hands-on outdoor cooking.

Gas- and wood-fired ovens yield distinct flavors and textures of pizza, allowing you to select and choose based on your personal pizza preferences. Think of a pizza oven as a focal point for an outdoor party—everyone can be engaged in the cooking process and get a tasty meal all in one.

It’s time to get eclectic

Photo Credit: Karolina Grabowska | Pexels

Outdoor dining and seating setups are having a moment with two major trends leading the pack. Homeowners are leaning into a more eclectic vibe overall. This includes everything from dining and side tables to outdoor sofas, chairs, and decor. “Think of your outdoor space like a messy hair bun: casual, stylish, and effortlessly cool,” Cummings says. “Mix materials, blend colors, and play with textures. It creates that effortless, breezy bohemian aesthetic people love.”

Placement of exterior furniture in unique setups can also help achieve an eclectic look.

Curves as a design feature are also in. Tables, in particular, are being used in interesting ways to add to 70s-inspired looks and tie curves into an outdoor space. Moving away from angular formality, rounded tables introduce soft edges into the space and create a circle when people sit down for parties, get-togethers, and meals. Curvy-inspired exterior designs can also be achieved in outdoor spaces of any size. “No matter the size of your space,” says Cummings, “you can incorporate curves to soften the layout and make guests feel more relaxed.”

Embrace the summer camp lighting

A big planned getaway can’t happen every weekend, so hosting something a little closer to home is a great way to spend time outside during the summer. And nothing sets the atmosphere for a party more than the lighting. Lighting trends often come and go over the years, and right now, according to Cummings, “summer camp lighting” is all the rage.

Summer camp lighting lends itself to creating a whimsical and nostalgic ambiance. It offers a lot of creativity in exterior lighting for summer nights, including:

• String lights
• Lanterns
• Paper star lights
• Candles
• Colorful twinkle lights
• Torches

Several summer camp lighting options allow creativity and customization, such as tying ribbons onto string lights, making your own lanterns, and mixing and matching different lighting choices for a truly unique look. Summer camp lights are all really fun for parties. “But if you’re looking for more permanent options for outdoor spaces, consider glass pieces with a longer life,” Cummings suggests.

Meals and drinks are staying light

Photo Credit: Rachel Claire | Pexels

When it comes to summer fare, food and drink are staying light. Cummings notes that for food, “Expect lots of basil, herbal notes, and soft fragrances on the table.” Dishes like pasta salad, Margherita pizza with pesto, Caprese salad, and sushi are perfect options for a summer get-together.

She says those same flavor palettes are expected to carry over into cocktails, rather than leaning more towards traditional flavors with sweeter notes, like strawberry. Take Delish’s “Drink of the Summer” for example, the Naked & Famous. Some of the main ingredients for this mezcal cocktail include Aperol, lime juice, and yellow Chartreuse, a French herbal liqueur. Other herbal, light cocktails you can serve this summer include mint juleps, mojitos, pineapple basil cocktails, and even non-alcoholic options like mocktails. Cummings shares, “Think of these beverage options as a sophisticated twist on childhood drinks, making for an airy option for you and your guests.”

Popular Summer Party Themes

As for the types of parties that are trending this summer, whether at a venue or a gathering at home, Cummings is seeing solstice parties, bonfires, and even flower bouquet-making parties as popular choices.

Let these trends serve as a guide for your summer party and get-together planning, ensuring a truly creative and fun-filled season.