Glam Slam: How To Throw the Perfect Summer Party!

It’s the unofficial beginning of summer.

The long, Memorial Day weekend is finally here and whether you are throwing a party this holiday weekend or any other time this summer… make your planning go smoothly with these easy tips from InStyle.

Spice Up The Guest List

It’s tempting to keep parties to one social circle, but a mix of persuasions, interests and backgrounds ensure it won’t be a humdrum night. It’s the people that make the party, so make sure to include enough outgoing personalities who will be experts at breaking the ice.

Timing Is Key

Opt for an early evening party or a brunch bash so you don’t need to worry about serving a full dinner. Small touches, like pitchers of bloody marys or a mimosa bar and the Sunday papers, are enough to get guests excited.

Set The Mood With Music

Celebrity chef Todd English likes to start the evening with jazz and then transition to folk or rock from the 60s and 70s. Match the type of music to the ambience you want to create and if it feels like the evening is lagging, switch to tried-and-true favorites that will get everyone excited.

Make Your Guests Glow

Everyone looks better in warm candlelight, so surround tall silver or gold candlesticks with votives or float short candles in a bowl full of water.

Stick To One-Pot Dishes

When French Laundry chef Thomas Keller has guests, he’s not scurrying around the kitchen putting the finishing touches on a towering croquembouche. Instead, he advises sticking to one pot dishes, like roast chicken or beef daube (a rich beef stew), which produce a wonderful, cozy aroma and make cleaning up a cinch.

For more party planning ideas, visit InStyle.com.

— Ryan Patterson