The suns come out, you’ve had your first taste of Pimms for the year and you are ready to start planning the perfect great British summer party.
With nearly two years of summer parties lost there is a lot to make up for this year! Whether you are scheduling in a work update or make up for a lost Christmas party or a chance to meet up with the whole family again and celebrate, here is everything you need to consider when planning that all important great British summer party.
Occasion:
Is there a special occasion you are celebrating this year?
Not that it particularly needs a reason, after all we have all had limited time to play host in the last couple of years. However, finding a special reason to celebrate certainly helps with various aspects of the party. It can help determine whether it will it be a small affair or a big celebration, the kind of theme you will be taking at the party and who makes the guest list.
What a great occasion to celebrate this year for our Queens Platinum Jubilee, amongst the rooftops of London in a hidden oasis find 41 Portland Place as a perfect setting for your British summer party.
Décor & Theme
Parties are always more fun with a theme, but beyond that picking a theme also makes the planning easier. Your chosen theme will streamline your summer party ideas and make it easier to select decorations, menu options and activities.
Don’t let the sun going down put the light out of your summer party, a sprinkle of fairy lights amongst the eucalyptus trees at 41 Portland place, the warm glow of lanterns scattered across the terrace will allow your summer party to continue into the night.
Complete your great British themed party with all things red, white, and blue, cover the terrace with bunting to stand out amongst the great British backdrop of Marylebone. Or even decorate our in-house flower wall with some traditional English flowers for the perfect Photo Booth style backdrop for your guests to enjoy.
Food:
Perhaps the most important element about any party is the food, whether you are feeding 50 people or a smaller group it is best to choose a mixture of things to keep each guest happy.
When it comes to a summer party nothing really beats a good old traditional BBQ, decide on a range of mains and sides for your guests. Or mix things up a little this year with a variety of food stalls, dessert stations, or here at 41 Portland Place we have added our very own afternoon tea stall to this year’s summer menu as part of the Queens platinum jubilee year.
Drinks:
You have now decided on your food, now for the drinks that come with them. What is always a wonderful way to entertain your guests and make for a different feel is a specialised London cocktail menu. Perhaps you are hosting your works summer drinks and want to name a cocktail based off the company, plan the drinks in your company colours, or opt for a classic menu with enough selection to keep all your guests happy. Ensure to throw in a few mocktail options as well to get any non-drinkers or kids involved.
Games/entertainment:
So, you have worked out the occasion, you have your menu sorted and the cocktail ideas are flowing, now it is time to focus on the entertainment for you guests and who doesn’t love a backyard style game. Introduce our giant Jenga and connect four into your party for further entertainment for your guests.
Nothing says summer party without some summer beats in the background, offer your guests some musical entertainment whether its light background music or maybe a simple band placed in the corner of the terrace.
Weather:
Now with all that being said let’s not forget our biggest challenge for any great British summer party, the weather, it is important to remember is just how quickly it can change.
It is always the case isn’t it, the day before delivers perfect sunshine and blue skies but waking up the morning of your party you are sure to see that one grey cloud floating in the sky. Always remember to have a plan B in mind just in case.
The perfect way to do this is find yourself a venue that offers great wet weather options as well as the outside space just like 41 Portland Place. In the form of a gazebo over the terrace or a spacious room to accommodate all your guests in case of a great British downpour.
Get in touch with eve if you think 41 Portland Place is the perfect venue for your summer party.