Summer makes for the perfect time to host outdoors, and working with Vancouver Island’s climate and landscape can create an outstanding entertaining experience.
BY SUSAN HOLLIS
There’s something alluring — even primitive — about socializing outdoors. There’s room to breathe. Conversational pauses feel natural. A self-satisfied quiet settles in. This is especially true at dusk, when a change of light makes everything more languorous.
There’s no better place than south Vancouver Island to host summer soirées, what with all the verdant gardens and ocean air, but transforming a yard from its day-to-day normal into the cocktail version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream can feel like a stretch. Where to begin when your little slice of land features lumpy grass, overgrown raspberry bushes and a mildewing, if beloved, trampoline? Spruce chatted with local experts to learn how to work with what you have to create a memorable experience.
Setting the stage
When planning an outdoor event of any kind, a good rule of thumb is to be clear about your landscape’s assets. True, you won’t be able to turn a rectangular patch of grass into The Butchart Gardens, but you can still make that lawn as fun and expressive as possible.
“The best place to start when looking to entertain at your home is to recognize what your property offers as it is,” says expert party planner Chloe Pasemko, lead planner at The Good Party. “Is your garden your passion? Create a classic garden party feel. Is your home more modern? A minimalistic and clean look may fit best. Starting off with a look that reflects your existing property is a great jumping-off point.”
While fostering plant growth is something this region does best, it can also mean overgrown shrubbery and mildew-covered patio chairs. A good backyard clean-up and a powerwash can quickly bring things back up to par, either done yourself or by a landscaping company. If utilizing pre-existing patio furniture, be sure everything gets a scrub down so it becomes the blank canvas to your setting.
Once you’ve established your layout, consider a colour palette for the event. Whether you’re in a yard or on a condo patio, weather-proof floor coverings can help distinguish entertaining spaces and set the stage for niche gathering areas.
“Outdoor area carpets can make any zone feel cozy; they really define different areas — a seating area for drinks, or a dining table set up,” says Amy McGeachy, interior designer at McGeachy Design Studio. “In condos, the outdoor flooring is often the first thing to look grungy, so a carpet brightens it right up.”
RSVP yes please
Integral to the party-planning process is knowing who will be attending, so it’s vital to keep your guests and their personalities top of mind when pulling together your setting.
Older people will appreciate stable, even ground to prevent stumbling. Children will need some sort of entertainment — a pile of balloons or an outdoor picture book and Lego zone can give parents a breather while still being able to keep an eye on their little ones.
“When I am designing an outdoor living space, I try to imagine all the users, young and old, and how they each would prefer to spend time outside,” says Bianca Bodley, owner and principal designer of Biophilia Design Collective.
Bodley says she aims to create as many unique opportunities in the landscape as space will allow, keeping various needs in mind.
“For example, [we include] a hammock or swing chair for an intimate hang spot. A sunken fire pit becomes a warm destination. A dining space that is closely connected to the home makes a seamless connection and extension of the home to the garden,” she says.
Even in an outdoor setting, keep blank space in mind. If an intimate garden dinner is the goal, Pasemko says avoid oversetting the table, as overcrowded tables can feel stuffy; the food and drink will provide the charm once everyone is seated.
Tableware for outdoor events can be anything from your daily kitchen plates and cutlery to a set of more outdoor-specific colourful and durable items, kept for these moments. If children are involved, ensuring your wares are non-breakable will take a considerable amount of stress out of the event.
Final touches
To make your event come together, punchy accents of flowers or branches cut from your own shrubs can add a touch of simple, elegant décor while creating cohesion with your setting. Some rental companies in Victoria specialize in theme-specific place settings, allowing for more elaborate table appearances without much effort.
To add visual drama to an outdoor zone, McGeachy’s personal go-to is a large tray filled with white candles of various sizes, plus the addition of citronella candles. Station these away from the eating area to cover bug control without overpowering guests.
McGeachy recommends layering your lighting — relying on accents like hurricane glass lanterns with oil-burning wicks, strings of market lights and more permanent landscape lighting — to help transition a party from day to night. For twilight events, when the crisp coastal air can creep in no matter how hot the day, propane fire pits or tables offer a warmth and beauty that’s hard to beat.
Even with the most alluring features, no matter how elegant your setting, it’s important to think practically about the realities of hosting an event in Vancouver Island’s outdoor climate.
“The coast is often a windy place, which can create some issues with losing tableware to the elements,” says Pasemko. “Are you putting napkins on the table? Look online to find a napkin fold that involves the napkin being tucked under the plate to help hold it. Are you putting out place cards for your guests? A favourite trick of ours is to tuck the place card between the tines of each guest’s fork to keep it from drifting away in the wind.”
Most importantly, ensuring a relaxed and restful environment will keep the party going.
“The foundation of a good outdoor event is comfortable seating,” says McGeachy. “Invest in something that your guests can spend the evening sitting and conversing in.”
Quick Tips for a Beautiful Outdoor Table
- Ditch the table cloth > For relaxed evenings outside, and reduced wind hazards, utilize colourful place mats, and layer a few with different textures, for a fun, informal look.
- Pull out the Mason jars > Even casual glasses and everyday flatware can take on an elevated appearance when arranged outdoors, and offer less to worry about in the event of an accident.
- Add a touch of magic > Lighting — in the form of string lights, candles or lanterns — can pull together any setting, but consider also adding something unique for a touch of personality. A garden gnome, special stones or handmade driftwood place cards can make whimsical accents.
- Lean into flora > No outdoor event is complete without a touch of nature. Turn to your own yard for sprigs, branches or grasses, or opt for simple seasonal arrangements in a statement vase.
