The long, warm days of summer have arrived and there’s never been a better time to plan a party. Whether you’re celebrating a summer holiday, commemorating a workplace achievement, or simply enjoying the beautiful weather, we’re here to help you throw a summer party that will have your guests talking long after the sun sets.

To help you kick off your planning, we’re sharing our best planning tips and ideas. From crafting the perfect summer party invitations to selecting a theme that sets the tone, we’ve got you covered. Now let’s first dive into the essentials of planning the ultimate summer bash.

Summer Party Celebrations and Occasions

From seasonal holidays to summer weddings and far beyond, there is no shortage of reasons to throw a summer party. If you’re looking for summer party inspiration, look no further. 

Seasonal Holidays

The unofficial kickoff for summer celebrations for many people is Memorial Day Weekend, and closing out the season is often Labor Day Weekend. But in the sunny, summer months in between, the calendar is filled with holidays worth celebrating. Here are just a few of the holidays worth celebrating, but you can find even more here (World Bicycle Day? Frozen Yogurt Day? Yes please).

June

Pride Month

Flag Day

Father’s Day

Juneteenth

Summer Solstice

July

Fourth of July

National Hot Dog Day

Summer Olympics

August and September

National Watermelon Day

Perseid Meteor Shower

Oktoberfest

Labor Day

Whether you’re firing up the grill for a classic BBQ or watching fireworks light up the night sky, these holidays provide built-in reasons to gather for festivities that are rich in tradition, and ripe for joyful and memorable moments. 

Summer Birthdays

Whether the person you’re celebrating is turning three, thirty-three, or sixty-three, the same holds true: a summer birthday party is the best birthday party. With the warm weather, sometimes all you really need to do is head outside and let the fun come to you. A beach day, a pool party, a picnic in the park, a backyard bash – there really isn’t a wrong way to celebrate a summer birthday.

Career Milestones

We put a lot of time and energy into our work and careers, so we believe workplace achievements deserve to be celebrated big! Promotions, new jobs, retirements, and more, there are so many things we accomplish that are worth toasting to. Hosting a summer party to honor those achievements is easy, and the options are limitless. From relaxed, outdoor settings like the park or backyard, to a 5-star rooftop dinner, there is no wrong way for toasting to the accomplishments, achievements, or milestones of you or your loved ones.

Wedding Celebrations

Ah, summer: is there a better time for love? Summer is a popular time for weddings and pre-wedding celebrations like engagement parties, bridal showers, and rehearsal dinners, due in large part to, you guessed it, the weather. Not only can outdoor celebrations comfortably last into the night, but the sunlight and blooming flowers make it easy to create a magical atmosphere for celebrating love. 

Baby Showers

Summer’s bright and cheerful vibe beautifully complements the joy of adding a new member to the family. Plus, an outdoor setting for a summer baby shower allows for creative decorations, fun games, and delightful treats. And, if you’re struggling to decide upon summer baby shower themes, inspiration is always nearby. 

Just Because

Why throw a summer party? The better question is: why not? Summer is perfect for spontaneous gatherings and digital invitations are a wonderful way to spread the word in a flash (without sacrificing style). And, trust us: a sunny evening in the backyard is worth celebrating with your crew. 

Setting the Tone and Selecting a Summer Party Theme

We’ve seen time and again that the most memorable summer parties are those that have been given a lot of thought when it comes to both selecting a theme and setting the party’s tone. That doesn’t necessarily mean that a successful summer party needs to be planned months in advance, though. In some situations, that much lead time can be helpful. But also, you’re busy, and the following tips can help you get up to speed in no time. 

Choosing the Right Theme

When selecting a theme for your summer party, it’s best to consider the occasion, as well as what you think might resonate best with your guests. Even if what you’re planning is something as straightforward as a baby shower or a birthday party, remember: you can put a unique summery spin on it from start to finish. If you need inspiration, we’ve put together a list of popular and playful summer party themes: 

Popular Summer Party Themes

The following are some (but not all) popular summer party themes to inspire your planning:

BBQ Party

Fire, food, sun, and friends: BBQs sure have a way of returning us to what matters, don’t they? While BBQs are as versatile as any theme, one way we recommend dressing it up (via our helpful BBQ planning guide) is by sending guests home with memorable BBQ-themed gifts, like a monogrammed hot sauce bottle or their very own s’mores kit. 

Beach Party

Is there a better venue out there for a summer party? If you want to spice things up a bit, you could opt for a retro surfer vibe and use surfboards as part of your decor and party favors. For a kid’s birthday party, consider an under-the-sea theme, or a mermaid party. Also, a helpful hint before you get too far down the planning path: verify that you can use the area you’re considering to host a gathering and be sure to follow any local guidance or restrictions when it comes to catering, music, parking, etc. 

Pool Party  

Is there anything better when the summer heat is at its highest than to invite all your friends for a pool party? Whether it’s in your yard or at the community pool, bring a variety of floaties and pool toys and dive right in. Light, refreshing snacks and beverages are a safe bet for a day of swimming in the sun. 

Picnic Party

Whether you’re in your yard or at the park, choosing a picnic theme for your summer party is about as foolproof as you can get. Spread out gingham blankets and use wicker baskets to serve classic picnic fare like sandwiches, salads, and even homemade lemonade. Also: don’t forget the lawn games! 

Ice Cream Party  

Beat the summer heat with a delightful ice cream party. Create a DIY sundae bar featuring a variety of ice cream flavors and gourmet toppings. Serve cones, floats, popsicles, or if you want to go all out, look into renting or purchasing a shaved ice machine.  

Camping Party  

Head to the campground, or transform your backyard into a rustic camping retreat. Pitch tents around a bonfire and enjoy making s’mores, singing songs, and sleeping under the stars. Friends, family, or otherwise, you know what they say: those who camp together stay together.

Garden Party

Crank up the elegance with beautiful floral arrangements and vintage teacups for the perfect garden party. Serve guests an assortment of finger sandwiches, pastries, and iced teas. If you want it to be a more formal, sophisticated occasion, encourage guests to don their finest summer attire. 

Lemonade Party

Harness the zest of summer through a vibrant lemonade party. Set up a charming lemonade stand offering various flavors and fresh fruit garnishes. Decorate with cheerful yellow accents and provide light snacks for a delightful and refreshing gathering.

Watermelon Party  

Celebrate the quintessential taste of summer with a watermelon party. Serve creatively crafted watermelon dishes and beverages. Decorate with watermelon-themed décor and keep the mood light and playful with activities like a watermelon ring toss. Or, if your guests are game for it, even set up a watermelon seed-spitting contest. 

Setting the Tone with Summer Party Invitations

Because invitations are almost always the first impression guests will have of your summer party, you want to make sure to choose a design that reflects your theme and gives your guests a glimpse of what to expect. Digital invitations are often the best option for summer party planners, thanks in large part to just how customizable every design is (seriously, the options are endless). 

Add in how easily digital invites communicate the necessary details of your event and that RSVPs are tracked in real-time, and it’s no wonder they’re growing in popularity. 

No matter which theme you choose, or whether you go with digital invitations or paper invitations, the key to setting your event’s tone is to have fun and let your creativity shine. If you do that, your guests are sure to notice, and follow suit with their own excitement. 

Here’s a look at some popular summer party invitations at Greenvelope to accompany your perfect summer party theme:

Beach Bash

Set your beach bash apart from the rest with this splashy design that features beautiful hand-drawn palm trees and a pair of serene waves. 

Seafood Boil

Dive into coastal elegance with this hand-illustrated design featuring playful crabs, intricate patterns, and elegant shells. 

Rooftop Cocktails

Invite friends to get a little spritzy with this fun, lighthearted design featuring retro illustrations of the classic Aperol Spritz–the unofficial drink of Italy. 

Pool Party

Get guests in the pool party mood with this beach towel-inspired patchwork design featuring a variety of summery color palettes and a funky retro typeface.

Vintage colors set guests immediately in a specific time and place, but the scalloped die-cut shape at the bottom of this pool party design really make it stand out. 

Get in the Game

How can one make the classic lawn game of croquet any better? Easy. Just add rosé, and all of your favorite people. This ‘Rosé and Croquet’ design features an elegant arch window (outlined in gold), and whimsical illustrations to match the unique party theme.

Pickleball is sweeping the nation, and whether you’re a veteran pickler or you’ve spent zero minutes on the court, a Dinks and Drinks tournament is a really fun way to spend a summer day. This fun, vibrant Pickleball invitation design nails the vibe. 

Al Fresco Dining

Featuring a plethora of Mediterranean-painted details (including florals, olives, lemons and oranges), this ‘la dolce vita’ summer party design is bursting with Italian charm and is the perfect way to kick off a food-centric summer celebration. 

Now serving: a dinner party with a bit of whimsy. This summer dinner party design’s hand-drawn illustrations, wavy border and checkered background (that resembles a tablecloth) signal a playful yet sophisticated gathering. 

Garden Party

This unique summer invitation design features an organic and textural rattan cane pattern with overlapping shapes in fresh summer colors. A perfect way to set the scene for a memorable garden party, no matter the occasion. 

Send Brilliant Summer Party Invites with Greenvelope

Summer parties are all about bringing people together and creating unforgettable memories. Whatever the occasion, whatever your party’s theme, Greenvelope is a great way to spread the word and to do it with both convenience and style. 

With endless customization, with Greenvelope you can make any design yours–and truly yours–in just minutes, and you can send with confidence, knowing that all of your personal touches will reach your guests. 

Once you send the invite, it’s easy to track who’s opened the invitation and stay on top of RSVPs in our easy-to-use dashboard. You can also send updates–such as location or time changes–via Greenvelope’s messaging center. 

Create an account and join millions of other users who’ve sent dazzling invites for events from bat mitzvahs and communions to weddings, graduations, and birthdays. Whether guests open the invite via text message, on social media, or in their email, one thing is certain: they’ll be greeted with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind design without any paper waste. 

If you’re in search of more summer party planning tips, or guidance on creating stunning invitations, you’ll find plenty of each on our blog. You’ll find inspiration for themes, advice on invitation wording, ideas to make your event unique, and much more.