Here’s A Step By Step Guide To Planning The Perfect Sundowner Party
A sundowner party is one of those super fun events that's exciting to plan and fun to be at. As the sun begins to set, throwing off golden hues everywhere, and the breeze flows coolly, it's a magical time. If you’re planning a sundowner party, whether it’s on a rooftop, a backyard or the beach, there are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure your party is a success.
The first thing you want to do is finalise the venue. Of course, it should be an open-air venue so you and your guests can observe the sun and sky. It would be great if there was a direct view of the sunset too, whether it's a beachfront property or a hilltop location.
The time of the party is more or less decided by when the sun sets in the area you live in. Such parties usually start in the late afternoon or early evening. When choosing the date, check the weather and choose a day when there’s expected to be clear skies and comfortable temperatures. Start a few hours before the sunset is predicted to happen, so there’s enough time for all your guests to arrive and get comfortable as they get used to and start enjoying the ambience.
Send out fun invitations and get as creative here as you’d like. You can source fancy handmade paper, print the details in a long elegant script, or a more casual, fun script, depending on the party. Add a dress code if you’d like and encourage guests to RSVP so you know how many people to prepare food and drinks for. Or, if being so elaborate is not your thing, you can also just send out a fun text to everyone you're inviting.
Make sure the venue is spacious and that you’ve added a lot of cosy seating for people to comfortably sprawl on. This is a more informal party, so you can include bean bags, hammocks and other relaxing seating. Make sure you're also offering shade and protection from the elements, by setting up umbrellas or canopies. Make sure there are plenty of cushions, shawls and throws for guests to get comfortable with as they enjoy the view, especially once the sun has set and temperatures start to plummet. Add string lights, candles and lanterns as cosy illumination once the sun has set.
For the food and drinks, aim for a light menu that complements the relaxed vibe of the sundowner, offering flavorful options.. Have several options of finger foods and bite-sized foods, and appetisers, all of which are easy to eat while socialising. With the drinks, include a variety of cocktails, mocktails, and other beverages to cater to all tastes and dietary preferences.
The next thing you want to do is create a playlist since music goes a long way in setting the tone for any party. Curate your playlist depending on the vibe you want to create for the sundowner. Pick mellow tunes and encourage a laid-back atmosphere and later, switch to more upbeat tunes the party into the next gear. You could also splurge on a live musician or DJ to make things more entertaining and keep excitement.
To make things more fun, add interactive elements to the venue, like a photo booth, outdoor games or a cocktail station where guests can experiment and create their own drinks. To set up a cocktail station, you’ll need to provide a variety of different base alcohols, several options of mixers and juices to dilute the spirit with, and a range of garnishes and bitters to add to the glass.
Throughout, encourage guests to take a lot of pictures, not just of the view but also of their cocktail creations and whatever else they feel like. These are memories you’ll cherish for a long time. At the end of the party, you can also offer personalised goodies or a small gift bag as a keepsake. End the party responsibly by offering to call cabs for those who've had alcohol and might need it. Also, throughout the planning, try to minimise the use of plastic and be generally mindful of your carbon footprint.
