Outdoor Party Decoration Tips & Tricks

So you’ve decided to host your party or celebration outdoors – now what? Unlike hosting an indoor party that’s under cover and protected from the elements, there are a few things worth considering when choosing the right outdoor party decorations for your event.

Read on for our favourite tips, tricks and ideas for organising the best party decorations for your upcoming outdoor celebration.

Preparing The Venue

Whether you’re choosing to have your gathering at home in your backyard, at the beach, or even a public park, you’ll want to ensure that you allow yourself plenty of time to clean or maintain the grounds before you set up and decorate ahead of your party.

If you’re hosting your party in your backyard, this could mean using a high pressure washer to clean concrete, mowing the lawns and getting the leaf blower out. Or if you’re hosting your event at a public venue, you may want to pick up any rubbish in the surrounding areas first.

Table Décor

An easy way to create ambience and decorate your outdoor area is to incorporate table accents. Table cloths and table runners are a great way to add a dash of colour and make your event feel that little bit more special. Not only that, but laying down fabric material on your tables can help keep them protected from spills and scratches.

Table centrepieces are a great focal point to add to your tables. Be creative when choosing what kind of materials to use for your centrepieces. Some decorative options to try include: flowers, balloons attached to balloon weights, candles or lanterns.

Use Lighting

From candles, string lights, outdoor torches and even solar lights, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to outdoor party lighting if you’re hosting a late afternoon or night time event. During the cooler months, you might even choose to light up the space with a fire pit if you’re hosting your party at home in your backyard.

Don’t Forget The Music

Music can help create the right kind of mood and ambience for your event. Take the time to put together a playlist of your favourite party tunes ahead of your event and hook them up to a portable speaker to create the ultimate party soundtrack.

Add Some Balloons

Everyone loves balloons at parties and celebrations. From table centrepieces to decorative arches or just simply tied to a string – the options for decorating with balloons are endless. So when it comes to choosing between foil or latex balloons for your outdoor celebration, which ones are best?

Latex Balloons
When latex balloons are exposed outdoors to the sunlight and heat, they become susceptible to popping as they expand and contract with the temperatures. Latex balloons are made from a substance that breaks down from exposure to sunlight and water.

Foil Balloons
Foil balloons on the other hand, tend to last longer outdoors than latex balloons. Outdoor temperatures can cause the air inside a foil balloon to expand and contract (no matter if it’s filled with regular air or helium) – and while an expanding foil balloon may pop, it is less likely to do so compared to latex balloons.

Nevertheless, if you are looking to decorate your outdoor space with latex balloons, below are some tips on how to make them last longer:

• Keep them in the shade – to protect them from sunlight as much as possible.
• Avoid dark balloon colours – dark colours attract heat so it’s best to choose lighter colours that reflect sunlight to keep your latex balloons as cool as you can.
• Set up your balloons as close to the event start time as possible – to ensure they look their best for as long as possible.

Shade

During the warmer months, you’ll want to consider setting up your party area underneath some shade. Not only will this protect your food, guests and balloon decorations from the elements, but this can also be incorporated into your overall party theme.

For a fun, happy atmosphere, you can always choose a brightly coloured shade cloth/shade sail. For more of a neutral or nature-based look, choose earthy tones like beiges or greens when shopping around for shade options.

Don’t Forget Your Plan B

Planning to celebrate your event outdoors is all well and good, but what would you do if the weather took a turn for the worse on the day of your event? Having an alternative plan or a “plan B” will ensure that your party can still go ahead on the day (even if the weather isn’t great). An easy, last minute back up alternative to your outdoor venue can be to host your celebration at home.

Grab Some Balloons For Your Celebration

Whether you’re looking to purchase foil or latex balloons for your outdoor celebration, Specialty Balloons are here to help! Simply choose from our selection of pre-printed, unprinted and custom printed balloons and balloon accessories to suit your outdoor decorating needs.

For the very best in all things balloons, call, email or visit Australia’s favourite balloon supplier Specialty Balloons today!