The Ultimate Checklist for Planning an Outdoor Party

We Australians love to party and the great summers we have to make the outdoors an obvious choice for any social gathering. Whether a wedding, a birthday or an anniversary, patios and terraces all over the country are used to host social get-togethers, and if you are planning an outdoor party anytime soon, here is a comprehensive checklist to ensure that nothing is overlooked

• The Marquee – As pleasant as the Australian summers are, a downpour is never far away, and no party is complete without a marquee or two. For affordable marquee hire in Melbourne, an online search will reveal an established supplier who is likely to stock everything you need for your party. Even on a dry day, the marquee provides that essential shading, and with so many designs and sizes available, there's something to suit every occasion.

• The Entertainment – Whether you opt for live music or a discotheque setting, the right type of music is essential to make the party swing. Take a good look at your guest list, and this should tell you what genre of music works don't forget to mix things up to please the older generations. If you would rather hire all the equipment and self-DJ, the marquee hire company would stock audio and visual equipment, complete with disco lights and even a dance floor.

• The Food & Drink – You can't expect your party to swing into the early hours without a good supply of drinks and whether you are providing liquid nourishment or your guests pay their own tab, it pays to outsource your bar requirements, as there can be no room for error here. You will need a never-ending supply of ice, and you can hire ice-making machines from your local party hire outfit, along with a wide range of drinks. The menu would likely be a buffet arrangement where all the food is laid out in a specified area, and people can mill around and help themselves. If the budget stretches that far, enlist the help of an outdoor caterer, which will remove the considerable headache that comes with arranging food for a large group of people. 

• Parking & Accommodation – Often overlooked, arranging adequate parking will avoid serious conflicts with the neighbors. Of course, you could ask your guests to arrive in a taxi, which allows them to let their hair down a little and not have to drive home. If you have the space, prepare a few beds for those who are the worst for wear. Nothing fancy – the couch and a few quilts in the living room is all you need, as your guests will have had such a good time, they are only looking for a space to rest their head. Invite all your neighbors and even if they don't attend, at least you made the offer and this will avoid any heated tempers in the early hours.

If you are brave enough to take on the role of party organizer, then enlist the help of a few good friends and with some careful planning and a good party hire company, all you need to make your party a success is untold amounts of enthusiasm and energy.