Top Summer Outdoor Entertainment Trends To Experiment With
Rewritten Article:
Savor the warmth of the season and take your parties outside with these trending ideas for outdoors entertaining, as suggested by professional event planners.
- Kevin Lenhart is the design director and landscape architect of Yardzen.
- Michelle Durpetti is the founder of Durpetti Events.
- Cameron Forbes is the CEO and founder of Forbes Functions, a boutique event planning company.
- Cassie LaMere is the founder and creative director of the luxury event planning company Cassie LaMere Events.
- Joanna Buchanan is an interior designer and founder of her eponymous decor line.
It's All About the Ambience
Create a lively atmosphere with an assortment of lighting. Michelle Durpetti, founder of Durpetti Events, recommends layered lighting consisting of string lights, lanterns, recessed pathway lighting, and dramatic uplighting. Smart, dimmable LED fixtures let you adjust the lighting according to the mood. Set some pendant lights over dining areas for a refined touch, while flameless candles and tabletop lanterns offer a soft glow. Projection lighting featuring customizable light patterns or color washes adds a dynamic atmosphere. Homeowners should opt for wireless, app-controlled lighting systems for easy management.
"In addition to lamps, layered lighting is key: soft, low-glow lanterns, twinkle lights woven through greenery, and downlighting from pergolas all contribute to a magical evening atmosphere," says Cassie LaMere, founder and creative director of luxury event planning company Cassie LaMere Events.
The Enchanting World of Outdoor String Lights## Embrace the Outdoor Kitchen
Upgrade your outdoor kitchen to a functional gathering spot and integrate it into your events as a place to mingle and prepare food. Outdoor kitchens are becoming more sophisticated, mirroring indoor kitchens in design and functionality. Trendy inclusions are smart technology integrations, such as app-controlled grills, pizza ovens, and outdoor refrigerators. Set up custom-built cooking stations, featuring wood-fired ovens for Neapolitan-style pizzas and built-in smokers for barbecue enthusiasts. Mixed-material countertops, like natural stone and concrete, provide both durability and style.
Elevate Comfort
Spend time outdoors in comfort. Kevin Lenhart, design director of Yardzen, notes that spaces that feel cozy and inviting encourage mingling. Simple, movable chairs are a must. And when guests feel at ease, it adds to the overall ambiance of the event.
Mix Up the Seating Arrangement
Avoid traditional round tables for seating eight. Seating looks best when part of a cohesive spatial design. Try creating unique configurations like serpentine, half-circle, and horseshoe setups that nurture engaging conversation. Beyond aesthetics, creativity is key to alternative layouts. Combine serene elements like woven placemats, ceramic serveware, and embroidered linen napkins to add warmth and personality.
Not Just a Summer Time Thing
While birthday parties, holidays, and graduation may consume your summer calendar, the trend is to celebrate any opportunity to socialize. "Wellness-focused get-togethers are also trending, with outdoor sound baths, guided breathwork sessions, and alfresco metaphysical readings redefining what a social gathering looks like," says LaMere. "Instead of food and drink, these events emphasize relaxation, connection, and mindfulness."
Be spontaneous and invite friends to casual picnics. Improvise using Indian textiles and French bread and cheese, or gather for impromptu events after a sports win. Dining doesn't have to be relegated to decks or patios. Try setting the table near gardens, quite close to the plants and flowers for a romantic touch.
Recipe for a Memorable Party
Make the cooking and dining experience interactive and engaging. Try new trends like hands-on culinary gatherings, where guests cook from the same book and share their creations or hire a professional chef to make the cooking process a fun part of the social experience. Progressive dining, where guests move through different spaces for drinks, appetizers, and dinner, adds an interactive element to summer gatherings.
Celebrate the joy of outdoor dining this summer with memorable events filled with creativity, comfort, and innovative ideas. With a little planning and the right touches, you can create your own extraordinary outdoor entertaining experience that will keep your guests talking long after the sun sets.
- For captivating outdoor events, consider employing a combination of various lighting options suggested by event planner Michelle Durpetti, such as string lights, lanterns, and projection lighting.
- To transform your outdoor space into a functional gathering spot, upgrade your kitchen with smart technology integrations like app-controlled grills and pizza ovens, recommend event planners like Forbes Functions' Cameron Forbes.
- To encourage socializing, provide comfortable seating options, as suggested by Kevin Lenhart, the design director of Yardzen.
- Unique seating arrangements can foster engaging conversation, as recommended by luxury event planner Cassie LaMere, like serpentine, half-circle, and horseshoe setups.
- Outdoor events are no longer limited to summer, as demonstrated by wellness-focused gatherings like outdoor sound baths and guided breathwork sessions, as suggested by Cassie LaMere.
- Add excitement to your outdoor parties by integrating interactive cooking experiences, as recommended by both amateur chefs and professional event planners, such as hands-on culinary gatherings or progressive dining events.
