How To Throw The Ultimate Summer Time Soirée
There are many markers of when summer time in the UK has truly begun. Blue skies (with the expected drop of rain), the classic white dress fills the street, rooftop terraces are packed to capacity, and as our July issue cover star Jodie Comer states, a ‘Mr. Whippy, flake, sauce and sherbet,’ makes for the perfect beach treat.
But among these, the one that takes the win for us is a summer soirée. Fewer occasions come close to spending the day or evening with your most loved ones alongside good food and music to accompany a cracking party.
Needless to say, whileending the night or early hours of the morning after a care-free evening of dancing, laughing and singing is easily achievable as a guest, the same can’t always be said for the host.
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As the preparation list can sometimes feel endless, the job of a host is no easy task. Recently, ELLE UK caught up with the presenter and founder of Glassette, Laura Jackson, who recently hosted her own soirée. Here, she tells us how to get the job done:
‘The best way to ensure you and your guests have a great time is by having a good playlist, food prepared in advance so you are not tied to the kitchen all night, good lighting and a good tipple or two. There are no rules for what to wear - wear anything you want! And don’t worry about cooking and washing up.’
‘As for decor, I love a tablecloth, something with a pop of colour and then there is less emphasis on having to accessories the table, or a simple white table cloth with some bright flowers in stem vases.
‘Candles set the mood, table or tea lights - anything heavily scented in the candle department is a no-no for me. Instead, leave the fragrance to the flowers or herbs for place settings. Napkins are great and can add an element of fun if folded in an Eightie's fan - I love Martha Sewart napkin examples!'
So, whether you’re stuck on how to curate a playlist or not quite sure what you should wear, we’ve compiled the top tips to know for hosting the ultimate summertime soirée:
Location, Location, Location
‘Finding a unique venue isn’t easy,’ says Jack Bryant from production agency Bryant Projects, which has executed a range of starry events from Netflix’s Baftas afterparty to our very own ELLE Style Awards. ‘Sometimes, the best way to go about this is to step away from Google and search on the ground. When I started over 10 years ago, I used to cycle around the city looking for buildings or structures that could be adapted. Fashion parties require incredible lighting, as the content captured during the event is what lives on. Then, think about how guests will move, where they get their first drink, how they transition to dinner and where the highlights will be. We meticulously plan every step of the guest experience, from invitation to departure.’
Prioritise Your Playlist
From Afrobeats to R&B, the right music sets the mood. Take the lead from the season’s runway music and try a mixtape of Sade, as played at the AW24 Valentino show, or stick to a crowd-pleaser with Beyoncé’s ‘Ya Ya’ on repeat.
Live Out Your Floral Fantasy
‘Decide on a significant place to focus the flowers rather than spreading them across the whole room. This will create magnificent floral backdrops for guests to take their picture in front of,’ says Talena Lowther, head florist at JamJar Flowers. ‘Think of ways to include the unexpected – a surprising little moment that gets the guests talking, such as interesting vessels, fruit and vegetable towers or a vine like cobaea that runs down the table’.
Make The Food Your Talking Point
Whether it’s a mountain of churned butter next to crisp baguettes, French fries served on silver platters or bowls of cherries tumbling across a table, have fun with your food. Want to be inspired? Follow Cellar Society’s Bertie de Rougemont – he and his troupe of creative culinary artists have catered events for Balenciaga to Miu Miu.
Drinks Must Be Chilled
Ditch the espresso martini and try a coffee negroni or Mexico City’s most popular drink, a carajillo, made with espresso and Licor 43 and poured over ice. The caffeine will ensure your guests are partying until the early hours.
Dress To Impress
‘Now is the time to have some fun with your clothes,’ says Tamison O’Connor, ELLE’s Fashion Features Director. ‘Lean into colour; break out the statement jewels; and don’t shy away from a fun print. For those partying into the night, nothing says a good time quite like embellishment: metallic hues and sequin details are sure to sparkle during the balmy sunlit evenings.’
Make Magic Moments
‘For me, the best parties develop throughout the night, revealing the unexpected,’ says Bryant. ‘I love to add at least one surprise element to any event – this could be anything from a secret bar to a performance. While essentials like readily available drinks and great music are fundamental, it’s the extras that transform a gathering from good to exceptional.’
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