Summer is the perfect time to entertain, especially in Colorado. We have access to great outdoor venues and weather that opens up more space for entertaining than during the winter months. When I think of a summer BBQ, I think outside.
Everyone’s event space is different, but it always adds something special if you can enhance it a bit from the everyday norm. For a party that may linger until the evening hours, a great way to bring your space to life is add specialty lighting. This does not have to be anything expensive, you most likely have Christmas lights collecting dust in storage that you could re-purpose in this way. Whether you wrap trees or string overhead, the lights add an ambiance that will definitely increase the space value and make the event seem a bit more intimate.
Of course, every BBQ needs to have good food! A BBQ offers so many options of what to provide for your guests, or you can opt for potluck style. Whether you grill everything yourself or cater it from a nearby BBQ joint, it is one of the most straightforward menus.
I love to display menus for events like this, and one way I do this is by using chalkboards. I LOVE chalkboards for event planning and especially since they are still on trend with a lot of styles. Whenever I see a chalkboard on sale, at a garage sale, on a buy/sell group, I will usually buy it because they are so versatile for these occasions. I display the menu on a larger style chalkboard near the food.
If you are interested in using chalkboards, I feel obligated to tell you about the chalk marker, quite possibly one of the greatest new inventions! I don’t have the best handwriting, but chalk markers make writing on chalkboards SO much EASIER. You can buy chalk markers at any craft store. Trust me, if you have a chalkboard, you need some of these!
Signage goes a long way toward increasing the sophistication of an event. So, whether you use a chalkboard or create signage of your own it can definitely create that WOW factor for your guests.
For this summer BBQ, I used a combination of chalkboards and customized signage that I created and printed. You don’t have to be a graphic designer to whip something up and with a little practice; you would be surprised at what you can create. There is a free program called PicMonkey, that is super-easy to use. If you watch a few YouTube videos, you will be all set to create some simple signs. Of course, there are also plenty of printable party signs and enhancements that you can purchase on Etsy if you would rather go that route.
In addition to great food, I really love the look of a great table setting as well. You can certainly have a BBQ and just pull out a stack of paper plates, but there are also a lot of ways you can spruce up the event that don’t add a ton of cost. Now, this (pictured event) was a BIG party for over 100 people, so we opted for disposable tableware.
When planning your event, it is great to establish a theme or color scheme and choose the elements with this in mind.
We opted for a blue/gingham/rustic feel for this gathering. We covered the tables (because, they were those ugly plastic ones…) with white tablecloths to give us uniform look. Then I alternated pieces of colored burlap and blue gingham as table squares. For the plates, I found a blue gingham paper plate that matched perfectly with the color scheme. I wanted the table setting to feel a little “upscale” since this was an adults only event, but had to keep in mind the quantity of people.
I also knew that I wanted to incorporate the rustic style of mason jars. Now, as an event planner, I actually own over 100 mason jars. I know, kind of crazy! Hopefully your BBQ won’t require you to purchase quite so many, but they are a great investment and something you will use again and again.
**Buying Tip: Walmart actually makes their own version of mason jars and sells them by the case. These are the cheapest I have been able to find. In addition you can buy the traditional ones at Michael’s by the case with a 40% off coupon, which is also a good deal. You can also find mason jars at Hobby Lobby or online from spots like the Fresh Preserving shop.)**
We stuffed the mason jars with a blue handkerchief for a napkin and upgraded to the “fancy” silver plated plastic utensils. The combination really looked great!
The last touch to the tables was flowers! Did you know that you can buy flowers in bulk from Sam’s Club? You can! That is where we ordered these flowers! These arrangements were relatively simple to construct. For vases, we used a LARGE size mason jar. Then we stuck a combination of sunflowers and baby’s breath in the vase.
Keep in mind, you do have to order the flowers a little bit in advance to make sure they will have the quantity you require. To finish it off, we tied a bow of raffia around the top of the vase. Voila! Beautiful tables, complete.
For the drink areas, we set up a few tables and layered different drink dispensers. What do a mean by layering drink dispensers? Well, it makes the visual more appealing when items are layered at different eye levels versus having them all lined up in a straight line.
I will often wrap books (Harry Potter books work great for this!) in coordinating paper and use them to achieve different heights for a display.
We spiced up the store bought lemonade and tea by adding fresh berries as well as descriptive labels for each dispenser. To spruce up the front of the drink stations, we draped a burlap banner labeled “DRINKS.” I use this burlap banner all the time and just change the letter stickers (yes, they are removable stickers) on the banner depending on the occasion.
As the event comes to a close, I love to send guests off with a little something to remember the occasion. This is by no means necessary, but it is a nice gesture if you can fit it into your party budget.
In this instance, we decided to give each departing guest a small package of brownie bites. The brownie bites were from Sam’s Club and I packaged them in a small cellophane bag, tied securely with a blue gingham ribbon. They were displayed in a basket alongside a chalkboard (of course!) with instructions for guests to take one on their way out.
So, what makes a good party?
The people you surround yourself with, of course!
What makes a pretty party? Well, a lot of the details that I shared with you here today. By creating a subtle, but consistent color scheme or theme you can really turn even a simple BBQ into a coordinated event. I’m looking forward to the snow finally leaving for good, moving into my new home, breaking out my boxes of mason jars and having you mamas over for a mommy date!
Share your tips and tricks for a summer BBQ or what you loved from this post in the comments below.
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About Guest Blogger Jessica Diamond
I am so excited to be sharing a post with Mod Moms! My name is Jessica Diamond. I joined MOD Moms as soon as we relocated to Colorado last year. MOD Moms was instantly a great group of moms to connect with and share information. I am so looking forward to getting out to more events and meeting more awesome moms!
Since moving to Colorado, I have started a local resource blog, Mom Knows – Boulder County. I thought it was the perfect way to share all the information I was discovering, as well as to offer tips on a few areas where I already had some experience. I hope you’ll take a look and find it useful!
Before we moved to Colorado, I owned and operated an event/party planning business – Simply Perfect Parties. I started the business because I LOVE throwing parties and could really entertain everyday! With relocating, renting, trying to buy a house and getting the family settled here, I have not had the time to relaunch the business. However, I still think about parties all the time! Since we are headed into warmer weather, I am going to share with you some easy ways you can throw a summer BBQ that is sure to impress your guests.
To learn more about me, visit www.momknowsboco.com/about
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