6 Mistakes To Avoid When Hosting A Backyard Get-Together

Planning to end the summer with a final outdoor soiree or two? Or host backyard game day parties this fall? You'll want to ensure that you're the best host you can be by making an effort to avoid these common outdoor entertaining mistakes. Here are six common pitfalls that you'll want to be sure to avoid, Southern event planners say.

Not Warding Off Bugs

Unfortunately, bugs have a tendency to show up at backyard gatherings—so make it clear that pests aren't invited to your get together by lighting some citronella candles all evening long, suggests Briana London, the founder of Events by Briana in Nashville, Tennessee. "You can even use a mosquito fogger prior to guest arrival to minimize the bugs," she adds.

Not Suggesting A Dress Code

If you're concerned that your guests will pepper you with tons of questions about attire prior to your get together, it's best to suggest a dress code right off the bat, says Megan Papageorge. "The term backyard BBQ can mean completely different things to different people," notes the founder of Sweet Peach Planning in Charleston, South Carolina. After all, she explains, some guests may arrive ready to jump in the pool, while others may show up sporting a sundress. "Letting guests know the level of formality and the activities you have planned helps them to dress in a way they feel comfortable and most social," Papageorge says.

Forgetting To Serve Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Do not assume that every single one of your guests will want to sip on an alcoholic beverage during your party. "Having festive and delicious options for them is a great sign of hospitality," Papageorge says. You can even whip up a signature mocktail with seasonal ingredients.

Not Offering Enough Food

Madison Hummel, the founder of Madison Avenue Events in Washington, D.C., is a proponent of serving small, handheld bites during outdoor parties—she's a fan of charcuterie boards, mini crab cakes, and the like. "No one likes to try to manage cutting a whole chicken breast, in the summer heat, while having a conversation with their long-lost college roommate," she says. "However, make sure to cook enough to still keep everyone full considering that these bites are smaller than large portions of meats and sides."

Hummel recommends gradually replenishing food as needed, keeping extra items inside in the fridge so that they'll stay fresh and cool.

Not Wiping Down Patio Furniture

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you will want to ensure that your patio furniture is in tip top shape before guests arrive. "If you are using the furniture you already have in your backyard, make sure to have cleaning supplies to wipe them down prior to guests coming as anything in the backyard tends to build dust and dirt," Hummel says.

Consider Renting Restrooms

If you're hosting a large backyard gathering—say, a wedding reception or a retirement party that will draw lots of folks—you may wish to consider restroom trailers, Hummel suggests. "Remember that restrooms in a home are not built to accommodate large amounts of people" she says. "I would also consider this option if you don’t want lots of guests trekking in grass and mud onto your beautiful carpet!"