In the age of Pinterest, planning the perfect backyard party is as easy as typing “fairy lights” and “mason jars” into the search box. While pictures say a thousands words, though, there’s nothing better than a bit of personal advice to help the big event go smoothly.
We rounded up some local-area experts to find out how they make it look so easy:
Planning perfection
The first step is to prepare as much as possible in advance.
Photographer Laura McGuire, 30, says, “I’m a lists person. I make lists and check them off. Just make sure there is music, booze and food, try to give people some notice, and always tell your neighbours!”
Meanwhile wedding planner Jennifer Bichand, 32, suggests making time chart: “Sunday, invite guests. Tuesday, pick up table cloths, etc. Wednesday, tidy the house and prep the backyard. Thursday, grocery shop. Friday, prep what you can ahead of time. This allows you to think about details and will put your mind at ease so you can relax and enjoy your shindig!”
Decorating Do’s
There are decorating trends, and then there are timeless classics. Designer consignor Angela Stephen-Dewhurst, 33, has been building her decor collection for years.
“I’ve got a pretty colorful collection of china tea cups, plates, etc. These are dishes that I have bought at garage sales and a few very special pieces from my grandmothers. I don’t like things looking too uniform so, as my collection has grown, I can throw it all on the table and I think it looks better than ever.”
Bichand agrees. “Vintage, vintage, vintage. Whether you call it glammed up rustic, shabby-chic, or barn style, everybody’s doing it. Mints, corals, peaches and creams are everywhere this year,” she adds. “As are burlap and lace, twine and mason jars. These are your DIY staples that will add charm to your party.
“Eco-chic is also big,”she continues, “because we as Vancouverites love bio-degradable utensils, recycled paper straws and local food on our plates. Bonus points with the crowd: Compost your food scraps right there in the backyard.”
And McGuire has some budget-friendly visual advice: “Themes can sometimes be expensive, but you can always just ask people to wear one colour. It’s great for photos and a bit of fun. If you feel like setting up a little photo booth as well, it’s a great way to remember the night.”
Serving it right
Getting the right spread of food and drinks can be the difference between flowing conversation and strangers sitting in silence. Make the meal interactive and decorative with serve-yourself and family-style.
“Create a DIY cocktail station with all the fixings,” suggests McGuire. “You can have little instructions so everyone can feel like a bartender for the evening.”
“Food stations are a great way to entertain guest as well as make your life easier,” adds Bichand. “How about a fajita bar, or a spud bar. Barbecue those baked potatoes, pile up the sour cream, bacon and cheese… A sundae bar for dessert? Ice cream, sprinkles, cherries, chocolate sauce… Or even a s’mores bar: Create a station with marshmallows, crackers, chocolate and skewers, around a wood or propane fire pit. Guest of all ages will have fun with this one.”
Set the scene
Details like fresh-cut flowers, flickering candles, and handwritten place cards look beautiful and draw people in right away.
“Fairy lights and lanterns in the trees are an easy way to make your backyard party look top-notch,” says McGuire. “I get it all online; Etsy is a great place to start.”
Seating is another way to achieve welcoming ambience. Stephen-Dewhurst says she loves to mix square and round tables in a long line down the yard, McGuire suggests throwing down colourful blankets for a community picnic, while Bichand craves bit of country in the city: “Hay bales are my favourite. They can be rented, and offer a country flare while adding a soft landing for those topsy turvy guests. Blankets and throw pillows can be thrown on top for a pop of colour and comfort as the evening cools down.”
And if you are really serious, you can always bring in the big guns.
“There are numerous decor companies that can help you host a great party,” she continues. “Try BespokeDecor.ca for a great selection of shabby-chic decor, handcrafted lawn games, and charming serving ware. As for saving the earth one barbecue at a time try GreenMunch.ca. They have everything you need to host a party with a lighter carbon footprint. Their slogan is ‘Sustainable entertaining with style’. Enough said.”
Bonus round: What's on the playlist?
McGuire: Chromeo, The Preatures, Run DMC, the White Stripes, and Lykke Li.
Bichand: The app Songza is great; you can create many different playlist for many different parties. My favourite song of the summer is 'Stolen Dance' by Milky Chance.
Favourite dish to serve
Bichand: My Grandma's Ambrosia Salad. It's fast, easy, light, and refreshing, and no one else is bringing it!
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 ounce) can fruit cocktail, drained
1 (8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 (10 ounce) jar maraschino cherries, drained (optional)
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
In a large bowl, combine the whipped topping, coconut, chopped nuts, fruit cocktail, pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, cherries, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix together well and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes.
Angela Stephen-Dewhurst's backyard Wonderland. Melissa DePape photo
Stephen-Dewhurst: I am currently obsessed with this chickpea salad:
2 cans of rinsed chickpeas
2 avocado cut into small pieces.
Basil and green onion to taste (from the garden)
Mix ingredients and squeeze the juice from one lime in and mix. Add Himalayan salt to taste. Serve chilled (in a beautiful antique bowl)
