Summertime is for backyard parties and bbq soirees! I love to host friends and family during the warmer months. Check out my favorite summer party ideas and recipes perfect for entertaining!
And be sure to check all the other summer party ideas linked at the bottom of the post. I am joining a fabulous group of bloggers hosted by Bre, Rooms for Rent today!
Backyard Party Ideas And Recipes
Summer weather is here and that means more time spent with friends and family making memories and enjoying long, summer evenings. There’s nothing better in my opinion than hosting a get together in my own backyard. I can’t wait to share with you my favorite tips for throwing the ultimate backyard party and my go-to summer recipes!
Tips for decorating for a backyard party
Summer is the perfect time for warm weather parties with friends and family. There’s something about hosting a backyard party at our own home that always creates the most special memories.
Offer blankets for chilly evenings
Make your outdoor space cozy and inviting. If you are going to be hosting an evening affair, offer a basket filled with blankets for guests to grab if they get chilly. After all, you can still create that cozy hygge feeling when it’s warm outside.
Offer comfortable seating
Also, offer lots of seating in different areas of your backyard. This allows for groups to gather and enjoy smaller groups of conversation. Place trays of appetizers and nibbles in each area.
Our backyard offers couches and chairs for guests to relax on while our side yard has a fire pit surrounded by comfortable swivel chairs. And our front porch is home to my favorite Serena and Lily hanging chairs, the perfect spot for intimate conversations.
Create an outdoor bar area
Set up an outdoor bar for guests to feel welcome to pour themselves a drink. The last thing you want to do as the host is be stuck behind the bar mixing drinks all night!
A great way to decorate the bar area is with fresh herbs that guests can also use to mix into their drinks! I have a pot with fresh sage and thyme, which are great mixed or muddled into my Spanish Gin & Tonic recipe.
Add ambiant lighting
Lighting is the easiest way to set the mood of your summer party. Hang outdoor string lights and light lots of candles to create a soft and relaxing vibe for your party.
To help the candles stay lit outdoors, I like to place them in larger bowls filled with himalayan sea salt. The tall sides of the vessel offer protection for the candle and they should stay lit even in windy conditions.
And these outdoor lights add such a festive vibe to any outdoor area.
Backyard Party Recipe Ideas
What do you serve at a backyard party?
Whether you are going traditional or thinking outside the box, be sure to offer a selection of food that caters to your guests. Hamburgers, grilled vegetables and some salads are easy and perfect for entertaining a crowd.
This list of recipes from Food Network will give you some major backyard party inspiration: Simple Summer Party Recipes.
A great appetizer to have out as guests arrive is a charcuterie board for guests to munch on. I have a thorough guide to creating the ultimate cheese and meat board. The perfect idea for a backyard party!
{How To Build the Perfect Charcuterie Board}
Backyard party drink ideas
Once you have your outdoor bar set up, make sure you also have a signature drink to serve to guests as they arrive!
Watermelon and summer go hand in hand. This Watermelon Froze is perfect for a summer bbq!
If you are more of a rosé fan, be sure to check out this Rose Cocktail!
And these Spanish Gin & Tonics are easy for guests to mix up so you don’t have to be stuck behind the bar all night.
Summer Party Dessert Ideas
No summer get together is complete without a sweet treat at the end. Check out my favorite desserts that are perfect for a backyard bbq.
{Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream}
This Campfire S’mores Basket is perfect for setting out next to your fire pit. Who doesn’t love summertime s’mores?!
{Campfire S’mores}
Nothing is as American as apple pie! And these individual sized pies are perfect made the day before for easy entertaining. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the quintessential summer treat!
More Summer Entertaining Ideas
Be sure to check out all the stunning ideas that my friends are sharing today! So much summer entertaining inspiration.
Rooms for Rent | Pine and Prospect Home | Ella Claire | Modern Glam
Maison De Cinq | Boxwood Avenue | Crazy Wonderful | Jenna Kate at Home
Willow Street Interiors | Amber Tysl | Sincerely Marie Designs | Paint Me Pink
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Amanda Marie
Your backyard is so dreamy! I’m totally in love with the fringe umbrella and rattan setting! Great tips and recipe ideas. I can’t wait to try them!
ashley
thank you amanda! we love our cozy little backyard. xoxo
Shelley
I am going nuts over all your amazing seating!!! What a stunning backyard oasis!
ashley
thanks shelley! california living means more time outside!
Andrea
This space looks so inviting, and I especially love the area with the gorgeous rattan seating!! SOOOO pretty!! 🙂
ashley
thanks andrea!