Top Tips for Organizing an Outdoor Event in 2024
Planning an outdoor event can be both exciting and challenging. From choosing the perfect location to delivering a seamless experience for guests, there's a lot to consider. Here at Hireall, we’ve been making dreams a reality for over 50 years! Our extensive events hire experience means that we understand your needs, so we’ve created this guide to help you create the ultimate outdoor space for your event.
Why Hire Outdoor Furniture for an Event?
Hiring outdoor furniture will save on the stress of lugging out furniture or squeezing guests onto limited seating. Renting outdoor furniture for your occasion will allow you to create a comfy and aesthetically pleasing space for entertaining without any heavy lifting or need for storage space. It’s also a more budget-friendly option than purchasing furniture that may sit unused for most of the year, and a more sustainable solution, too!
Set the Scene:
Where do you want to host your outdoor event? The options are endless, whether you’re arranging an outdoor festival or hosting a corporate event in a rooftop bar. This will inform the type and material of the furniture to hire. What’s suitable for rooftop dining will differ to beach-friendly furniture, and vice versa.
Adding in some personal décor touches can go a long way in creating a welcoming, relaxing ambiance. Add candles and fairy lights to your outdoor space for a cosy vibe, or check out some DIY signage for a rustic feel.
Theme
Whilst a theme isn’t necessary, it’s certainly fun! It’s also a great ice-breaker for mingling guests. Whether you’re going for an old Hollywood vibe or a Honolulu-inspired hula party, your theme is sure to be a talking point!
Food, Al Fresco
For an outdoor event, we suggest keeping the menu light. Your caterers will have plenty experience in catering outdoor events. If you’re hosting a sit-down outdoor meal, a variety of salads, pastas and tray bakes are an ideal option. If guests won’t be seated formally when you’re serving food, we suggest opting for finger-food choices such as anything on skewers, grazing boards, canapés, crudités or miniature versions of typical dinner foods. Food trucks are also a popular, fun choice for outdoor events, with a variety of options available such as fish and chips, burgers and more.
Keep in mind any dietary requirements such as vegan diets, gluten-free diets and more. For drinks, always have enough water and ice on hand, as well as soft drinks, fruit juices and any alcoholic beverages you wish to serve.
Always Be Prepared
Even during the warmer summer months, it’s always a good idea to have reinforcements on hand. We recommend having a sufficient number of umbrellas/parasols,outdoor heaters and a gazebo should the need arise.
Take a Seat:
The comfort of your guests should be paramount, and if you’re hosting a longer gathering, comfortable seating options are a must, as well as comfy cushions and blankets in case it gets chilly.
When choosing seating, keep in mind that anything you choose for outdoor use needs to be robust enough to withstand the elements. For sit-down outdoor dining, we recommend our Flow Medium Dining Table and Volt Chair Black, whilst our Volt Barstool Black and Wooden Barrel Pod Table are ideal choices for serving beverages in a drinks area.
Our Rimini Lounge Set and Rimini Lounge Corner Unit are ideal for creating a relaxed, chilled-out atmosphere for guests to interact and relax, whilst our Palm Rattan 2 Seater Sofa, Palm Rattan Armchair and Palm Rattan Coffee Table / Ottoman pair up for the perfect summer set! Or check out the Regatta Outdoor Bistro Chair and Regatta Outdoor Bistro Table for another stylish outdoor seating option.
Entertainment Options:
Games are a great addition to any outdoor event, and we hire plenty! Check out a variety of games, from table tennis to giant dominoes and more! Music is also a welcome addition, and your guests are sure to love a playlist of feel-good favourites.
Token Treats
It’s always a nice gesture to wave your guests goodbye with small token of appreciation for their attendance, and you can get really creative with these! If you had a flower-power theme, small seed packet favours mean guests can plant their own blooms at home. Or you may wish to opt for a delicious treat such as sweets or popcorn for guests to enjoy later.
Have a question? Contact us at 01 295 3821 or info@hireall.ie, where our dedicated team will be delighted to assist you with any queries you may have. Hireall - The Event Hire Specialists.
