FESTI-PARTY-VIBES

After more time spent indoors than usual this spring, ’tis the season to get outside and enjoy some fine times with friends. Why not organise a mini festival, or micro event the likes of which your street has never seen?

“A lot of people are still having parties,” Party Warehouse director Carla Bacon says. “As soon as we hit level two, they’ve been keen to celebrate. It was surprising how things bounced back so well last year too. Parties make people feel good.”

Name fame

Festivals unite our cultural, musical and artistic sensibilities and provide a magical escape from daily cares. Don’t be shy to name yours – find a festival name generator online and have a play. You can’t go wrong with a summer-inspired nautical, tropical or coastal theme either.

All aglow

Complete the look with festoon, fairy or lantern lights to provide anything from a vintage vibe to a debauched den or moon sanctuary. So many retailers sell these, but you can also hire from party shops and entertainment providers.

“We expect to be catering for smaller occasions over the next few months,” says James Weir, co-owner of Technical Event Solutions, which rents out lighting, sound, staging and DJs for events. “Renting versus buying is always a relevant question for organisers, as the sound quality can differ greatly by price point.”

In the moment

Polaroid walls may feel passé, but who doesn’t love capturing smiles with a friend? Instant cameras have decreased markedly in price over the last few years (and are cheaper than hiring a photo booth). If you want to avoid buying yet another gadget, ask your friends or settle for syncing your phones to post to the same social page.

Under cover

If you don’t have an awning or screen, pimp up your al fresco party area with large tents, gazebos, canopies or teepees on the lawn. Go boho with scattered sheepskin rugs, hammocks and plush cushions. Or classy, with a clear marquee and decorative entranceway for a special night view. There are loads of options to buy or hire.

Exterior décor

Bold decorations that can compete with outdoor fauna and withstand the weather are worth it. Extend your theme from the entranceway to Insta-worthy backdrops. Dress up eccentric garden sculptures for a laugh. Don’t forget to prep your table settings – these easily elevate the whole affair.

What’s cooking

Avoid shared catering issues by getting a food truck to drive on over.

Find one that suits your taste and event vibe at eventplanner.co.nz or lovefoodtrucks.nz

Be seated

Transform patios into outdoor lounging areas with hired rustic furniture or negotiate the use of some hay bales from your local farmer or market. There’s no need to go buy the whole dining set (although outdoor stores have ranges to suit most budgets), but we can raise it up a notch from the rusting camp chairs in the garage.

Firefly

A fire’s glow provides instant, intimate ambiance. Fire pits and braziers are more affordable than they used to be, and can be hired too.

Or, why not opt for tiki torches, aloha-style?