Summer parties should have a relaxed air about them, but, in contrast, planning and organising them can be quite a daunting and sometimes stressful task with time running away, not knowing who to ask for help, what catering to organise, or what theme or decorations to choose. So...

It sounds simple but I’ve seen many people start planning events without a clear understanding of what it is that they are trying to achieve. Are you trying to encourage networking opportunities or are you looking to entertain? Spend some time thinking about your objectives and how you want your guests to feel. You might have to ask yourself a series of questions to get to the heart of it.

Then, talk, talk, talk.

Communication is key in ensuring your vision is fulfilled. It is also essential to have an idea of budget in advance. You can then look at your non-negotiable areas and where you might want to scale back if needed. For some people, the entertainment is the far most important element, for others it will be a great spread of flavoursome food and drink.

We’re familiar with the well-known saying ‘too many cooks spoil the broth’. This is also true for party planning. Keep the number of decision-makers succinct and each with a clear purpose.

After you’ve streamlined the essence of your party, now comes finding a venue. This can be a time-consuming task so ask for help in collating the information you need, or work with an experienced party curator to save you valuable time.

Decide what you want from a venue, consider the space you will need. Do you need to find somewhere to accommodate a games area, a dance floor or lots of seating?

We all love a sunny summer party on a roof top or terrace, but it is prudent to consider the (not always so) Great British Summer. A rainy day on a roof top can leave no place to hide if you haven’t thought about a wet weather contingency plan. A summer party inside can still feel like you are outside with the right venue.

 If you have an inside location with a lot of space and natural light, or a balcony, you are on to a winner. Create an outside-inside feel with biophilia or deckchairs on a mock beach set up. You’ll stay dry during any summer showers. Lastly, listen to your venue specialists. They are experienced in working with the space so the best advice will come from them.

Get the summer vibe cemented as soon as your guests arrive with a mouth-watering summer cocktail to welcome your guests. Aperol spritz and Pimm’s come as standard so experiment and do something special to wow your invitees.

Cocktails can be created to fit your brand colour palette or included cocktail toppers with key messages or photos. These can spark a sense of fun and great photo opportunities.

Remember to produce alcohol free cocktails too. Gone are the days when orange juice was the only alternative option. Be creative with infusions – watermelon and mint cocktails are extremely popular and so refreshing. Make sure alcohol-free cocktails are as readily available as any alcoholic options. Guests not drinking alcohol shouldn’t feel excluded or an afterthought.

Grazing stations are a great way to surprise your guests at a summer party. An array of cheeses, breads, vegan, vegetarian and meat small plate dishes mean everyone can have a bit of what they fancy. Don’t just produce vegan dishes for the small handful of vegans, create something so good that everyone will want to eat it.

Pile up your grazing station with seasonal, colourful produce and it often becomes a talking point and Insta icon. This is the perfect way to allow your guests to graze all night and to cut down on food waste. Interactive food stations also add entertainment and education to an event.

Food is always necessary. I’ve come across event hosts thinking that they won’t order food if it’s more of a focused drinks reception. This is a big mistake. When people have been drinking alcohol, they want food.

I’ve spoken to so many people who leave core elements of their event to the last minute and it turns into a sprint to the finish line.

Try to avoid this by planning as far in advance as possible. Set time guidelines and get it down on paper. Think about what needs to be completed and work down month by month, week by week, and day by day towards the big day.

Realistically you’d want to be done and dusted in the planning stages around one month out to allow for any adjustments or last-minute changes.

When it comes to the party itself, think of the flow and structure of how the proceedings will go. When will drinks be served, when will the entertainment start, is anyone giving a speech, how do I stage the entertainment so people don’t get bored? There’s more to a party than just eating and drinking so think about how you will sustain your guests’ enjoyment throughout the entire event.

It’s always important to arrive at the event in good time before the event is planned to start. This gives you ample time to set up and relax before any guests arrive.

The most important thing is to relax and enjoy your event. There will likely have been an extensive build-up and lots of planning and coordination, and, in a flash, it’s all over. The idea of events is to bring everyone together.

Don’t sink in the small details. Look at the bigger picture of getting people together and ensuring a magical experience that guests will remember.