Summer Soirees: How to Celebrate the Little Things This Season and Beyond

Jun 8, 2023 Entertaining TSG Tip

While we’re all for celebrating major milestones—weddings, graduations, birthdays—there’s something to be said for honoring life’s more modest moments. Recently labeled as alt-bashes, the trend to revel in even the most mundane of gaieties seems to resonate with many in this post-pandemic world. Whether toasting to a hard-earned work promotion or throwing a backyard barbecue to mark the start of baseball season, there’s no occasion too insignificant to not warrant a celebration with loved ones. We tapped four Scouted event experts to give us the low-down on these mini-fetes and help us dream up our next pickleball and palomas party! To find an event planner near you, consult The Scout Guide Directory.

Table decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Mi Belle Photographers.

Take a cue from Mother Nature. Shaun Teague, curator of happiness at Cue The Champagne Event Planning and Design in Chattanooga, Tennessee, considers summertime to be the ideal season for diving head first into the alt-bash trend. She recommends taking advantage of warm summer evenings and hosting a glamorous sunset soirée. “Set up an outdoor lounge and create a sophisticated menu featuring handcrafted cocktails, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and decadent desserts, and as the sun sets, the ambiance will become even more enchanting,” Teague says. Shawn Cossette, owner of Be Just in Charlottesville, Virginia, agrees that bringing in nature as part of the entertainment is never a bad idea. Her gatherings have included everything from celebrating the return of the goldfinches to river floats at dusk to witness the parade of fireflies and the summer symphony of insects.

Table decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Kelli Christine Photography.

Keep it cozy. There is no need to invite the multitudes to these bashes. Tessa McAuliff, owner and creator of Tessa’s Table in Winter Park, Florida, shares that keeping these get-togethers on the smaller side is preferred. “If you choose to entertain often, in honor of smaller occasions, it’s best to keep your guest list selective,” she advises. “It makes it so much easier to set a table and cook for a smaller group.” A more intimate gathering also allows for more quality time spent with your guests.

Party decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Kelli Christine Photography.

Be intentional about your gatherings. The beauty of the alt-bash is in its casualness, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice purpose. “While it’s not necessary to obsess over every detail, it is important to be intentional with the guest list and remind everyone why spending time together is so important,” Jolene Greenbaum Peterson, owner of Laurel & Rose in Boulder, Colorado says. She goes on to tout the importance of conveying to your guests exactly what you’re celebrating, keeping in mind that no milestone is too small, and that their attendance makes the gathering all the more special.

Celebrate individual differences. Variety is the spice of life! Celebrating non-traditional milestones is the perfect opportunity to shine the light on the many beautiful and equally special paths individuals can choose to take. “Why not throw a bash to celebrate your decision to travel the world instead of buying a house?” Peterson says. “I love to celebrate unique life decisions. It reinforces the belief that there is no one-size-fits-all and we can feel good about celebrating things that may have once felt alternative to others.”

Party decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Ashley Sawtelle.

Embrace spontaneity. Unlike the extensive planning that more traditional celebrations call for, the allure of an alt-bash lies in its inherent spontaneity. “Allowing guests to come together for more unexpected moments of joy, an alt-bash tends to be more impromptu, based on an urge to share an exciting mini-milestone or achievement with friends and family,” Peterson explains. Thanks to the unscripted nature and shorter planning timeline, some of the pressure of party planning is removed, allowing hosts to be fully present in their gatherings.

Table decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Kelli Christine Photography.

Elevate outdoor dining. There’s something about dining al fresco on a blanket that just feels special. Presentations matters even when you’re outdoors, some of Cossette’s tricks to turn a basic picnic into a celebratory experience include presenting guests with individual bento boxes with chopsticks and serving a family-style meal on colorful bamboo plates. Avoiding the common practice of using plastic or paper, and opting for a more elevated and greener approach, is her biggest go-to. “It might sound crazy, but I always serve beverages in glass, wrapping each vessel in a linen napkin,” she shares. “And I always use ceramic, bamboo, and enamel for tableware.”

Party decorations by Laurel & Rose. Photography by Ashley Sawtelle.

Pick your splurge. One of the many perks of throwing a smaller soiree is escaping the financial burden that some larger celebrations can put on the host. If you’re looking to elevate a few party elements, McAuliff recommends areas where your dollars may make the most impact. “I would splurge on good food, lots of candles or string lights, and good wine or cocktails. I consider lighting and music to be two of the most important elements of a party,” she says. “And having fabulous food and drinks is just the icing on the cake, which by the way, you can actually just pick up at your favorite local bakery!”

Think outside the box. In search of ideas for your mini-celebrations? This list from our experts should get you going:

New work ventures
Planning a dream trip
Accomplishing a personal goal
Paying off student loans
Remodeling party (demo or completion)
Reaching a health goal
Celebrate the seasons: summer solstice, first frost, autumnal equinox
Pet occasions: birth, adoption, completing obedience school
Coming out
Baby milestones: sleeping through the night, walking, potty training
Embracing a new creative pursuit

TSG Tip 459 from Shaun Teague, curator of happiness at Cue The Champagne Event Planning and Design in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Shawn Cossette, owner of Be Just in Charlottesville, Virginia; Tessa McAuliff, owner and creator of Tessa’s Table in Winter Park, Florida; and Jolene Greenbaum Peterson, owner of Laurel & Rose in Boulder, Colorado. Cue The Champagne Event Planning and Design appears in The Scout Guide Chattanooga. Be Just appears in The Scout Guide Charlottesville. Tessa’s Table appears in The Scout Guide Orlando. Laurel & Rose appears in The Scout Guide Boulder.