August may be around the corner, but it’s still host girl summer!
There’s plenty of time to throw unforgettable backyard parties. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather loved ones, hang poolside and enjoy crisp, refreshing drinks, next-level barbecue, catchy playlists and great conversation.
But if you don’t consider yourself a hosting pro, have no fear: Us Weekly rounded up 26 celebrity- and chef-approved tips to elevate your soiree — from A to Z.
Take for instance HGTV star Alison Victoria‘s genius ambience hack for creating better flow in your outdoor space while enhancing its aesthetic appeal. By dividing your backyard into zones, guests will naturally avoid crowding in one corner and instead move between areas for various needs, such as eating, grabbing a cocktail or just relaxing and chatting with pals.
Turning up the right jams — and knowing when to play them — is key too, of course. When in doubt, opt for some soothing, crowd-pleasing bossa nova — a recommendation from Luann de Lesseps — in the final hours of the evening.
There’s more! Continue scrolling to see more hosting hacks from your favorite stars.
A – Ambience
“Go for layered textures and vintage glassware,” HGTV’s Alison Victoria tells Us. “Layer plates, mix metals and use cutting boards, marble slabs or even old mirrors as serving trays. The unexpected is unforgettable.” The designer also suggests creating backyard zones. “Lounge, dine, sip. It feels intentional and upscale without breaking the bank.”
B – Beverages
“I like to have a little bar station,” The Valley’s Tom Schwartz tells Us. “I don’t like to hire a bartender. It’s more interactive when you make your own drinks, even if they end up sucking. I like seeing people who have never made a drink in their life trying to shake a martini. It sets the tone for a fun, interactive night.”
C – Conversation Starters
“I went to a dinner party at my girlfriend’s house,” Valerie Bertinelli tells Us. “She found these conversation starter cards and put one at everybody’s place setting. Before dessert, she goes, ‘Everybody grab your cards and we’ll start going down the line.’ It was really fun.”
D – Dips for the Win
“A stressed host is contagious,” Bethenny Frankel tells Us. “If you have a simple plan, it’s much better. I like to have small vegetables and Heluva Good dip in the middle — mini peppers, mini cucumbers, snap peas, tomatoes. You don’t have to even take a knife out for any of that.”
E – Empower Your Guests
“Let other people bring things,” celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis tells Us. “I think we feel like if we’re entertaining, it’s all on us. But the fun part of spending time with other people is that everybody participates and everybody gets the accolades.”
F – Frozen Treats
“Just bring the Italian beer ice,” De Laurentiis says of the limited-edition frozen drink infused with Peroni Italian lager that she helped create. “Do something totally different and stay hydrated and refreshed.”
G – Grazing Goals
“This is what made me famous as a caterer,” Martha Stewart recently revealed. “I call them landscapes… a giant table covered with all kinds of fruit and vegetables and cheeses and crackers and people just graze.”
H – Heat Relief
“No one remembers the brisket if they got sunstroke in the process,” chef Andrew Zimmern says. “Rent a sailcloth, tent, erect a tarp or invest in some crisp white umbrellas. People mingle better when they’re not melting.”
I – Ice, Ice, Baby
“Not having enough ice is the worst because people start scooping the ice out of where the cold beverages are floating,” Guy Fieri tells Us. “You can’t eat that ice, folks! You don’t know where that can has been!”
J – Jars
“Fill mismatched glass jars or vintage vessels with herbs, wildflowers or even produce — think lemons, limes or artichokes for chic and effortless centerpieces,” Victoria says.
K – Karaoke
Karaoke is always a good idea, and Jerry O’Connell tells Us how to crush it. “Bring on a song that everyone can sing along to. You have to keep a list on your phone because when you get to the party, you’re going to forget.”
L – Lighting
“As the sun dips, your lighting should rise: fairy lights in trees, hurricane lanterns on tables, and clusters of candles at different heights,” Zimmern advises. “Skip the tiki torches, they’re not for stylish soirees.”
M – Music
“Music’s important to set the tone,” Pantene’s Healthy Hair Ambassador Kelsea Ballerini tells Us. “For the summertime, having that airy, window-down feeling, a lot of that can be soundtracked by songs.” Take a cue from the singer and kick off the good vibes with Kenny Chesney‘s “Summertime.” It’s one of Ballerini’s favorites: “It’s a staple every summer. For the rest of my life, that will be on the playlist. It’s a good party starter.”
N – Non-Alcoholic Beverages
“In this day and age, you have to have a good mocktail bar,” Schwartz advises. “We’ve got a lot of sober and sober curious people out there.”
O – Outfits
“I care about style, but I also want to be comfortable,” Paris Hilton tells Us. “I will usually have two outfit changes. At the beginning of the night, I’ll wear a longer dress and something for the pictures. And later I’ll change into a short party dress.”
P – Prep Like a Pro
“Besides hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled steak, everything else you wanna cook the night before,” celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi tells Us. “If you’re doing ribs or chicken, cook it the night before. So, you’re just kissing it on the grill [day of].”
Q – Queso
According to Jenna Bush Hager, summer means “it’s time for queso.” The TV host once revealed that her secret ingredient for party-perfect queso is extra Velveeta cheese.
R – Rain Plan
“Always have a rain plan,” celebrity party planner Mindy Weiss has advised. “If you’re having the party at home, you can always move things indoors. For other outdoor spaces, keep a close eye on the weather and be prepared to rent a tent or move locations entirely.”
S – Store-Bought Sweets
“If I get to a point in a recipe and I go, ‘I’m never going to make this recipe again,’ everything goes in the trash,” Ina Garten has said. “If you’re exhausted by the time you finish, it’s not good for the party.” Garten’s a fan of storebought desserts, including Trader Joe’s apple tart.
T – Themes
“I’m obsessed with themes,” Hilton says. “I feel like it makes the party even more fun. If I’m like, ‘Everyone wear pink or dress like your favorite Barbie,’ I like seeing how people get creative with it.”
U – Utensils
Chrissy Teigen’s party planner, Lisa Vorce, likes to wrap flatware in a napkin and tie together with twine or a scarf. “You can add a bundle of fresh herbs or flowers and a place card or handwritten menu for extra personality,” she’s said.
V – Variety
“It’s always good to know your guests’ allergies, if they’re vegetarian, if they’re vegan, if they’re pescatarian,” Bertinelli says. “You wanna find all of those things out so that you can have a variety of dishes so everyone feels like there’s something that they can eat.”
W – Watermelon
The juicy fruit is a delicious summer staple. To make it even tastier, try Stewart’s trick: “Mix finely grated ginger, a little honey and freshly squeezed lime juice, then drizzle it over each piece of watermelon,” she’s said. “The mixture adds extra sweetness and keeps it fresh.”
X – Exit Strategy
How do you let your guests who may want to linger a little longer know that the party is over? It’s easy, according to Stewart. “[Just say], ‘I’m going to bed now, so I’ll see you at the next party,’” she’s advised.
Y – Yard Prep
“Scatter low lounge seating and cocktail tables throughout the space,” Zimmern advises. “Don’t use a picnic table by itself like it’s the end of Little League.”
Z – Zen Vibes
“After the party winds down, I love creating Zen vibes by heading toward the water, whether it’s sitting dockside or relaxing on my boat,” Luann de Lesseps tells Us. “The fresh air instantly soothes the soul. I cue up some soft summer music, think bossa nova or smooth jazz, to set the perfect mellow tone. Surrounded by close friends, we swap stories, laugh about the night’s best mo – ments, and dance. It’s the perfect way to un – wind and soak up the magic of summer.”