When the sky turns orange, music floats through the air, and laughter mixes with the aroma of food, evenings become magical. A sundowner party is a great way to enjoy the beauty of twilight and the company of good friends. But there is a lot of planning that goes into every easy night, especially when it comes to food and service. If you get the right sundowner party catering, it can turn a simple get-together into a great party.
Don’t worry about the menu; focus on the mood.
Think about the mood you want to create before you call your caterer or choose a place. Is it a chic rooftop party or a laid-back boho setup by the pool? The mood sets the tone for everything, from the lighting to the appetisers. A sunset background always looks great with soft lighting, rustic tables, fairy lights and a few flowers.
Once you’ve found the right setting, plan your sundowner party food around it. In the early evening, it’s best to eat light foods and drink refreshing drinks. Think of cold salads, grilled skewers, canapés, mocktails and finger foods that guests can eat while they talk to each other.
Make the catering plan.
A well-organised timeline keeps things running smoothly. Here’s a simple way to go about it:
- One Week Before: Make sure your menu is set and the number of people who will be there is correct. Let your caterer know about any food preferences or allergies.
- Three Days Before: Double-check the details, like when the food will be delivered, who will set it up and who will serve it. Make a plan for when to serve food and drinks, taking into account when the sun sets.
- On the Day: Set up the dining and drinks area. Look at the lighting, the way the tables are set up and the places where drinks can cool down.
Get appetisers ready an hour ahead of time. Keep staff up to date on how the service is going. When guests arrive, give them cold drinks or mocktails. The goal is to make it feel open and friendly.
At sunset, serve signature cocktails or mocktails to toast the night. This is the best part for your eyes and heart. After sunset, slowly switch to snacks that are a little heavier or small plates. Keep desserts small to keep things relaxed.
A List for a Perfect Evening
A checklist keeps you from rushing at the last minute. Don’t miss these things:
- Location and seating: Comfortable chairs, shady areas and soft lighting.
- Menu: Desserts, light snacks, fresh fruit platters and signature drinks.
- Setting up for catering: Counters for serving, stations for heating or cooling and trash cans.
- Music and entertainment: A live band, acoustic artist or DJ who matches your theme.
- Staff coordination: Make sure that the caterers and servers are on the same page with the timing of your event.
The Final Touch
When you plan your catering timeline well, the event goes off without a hitch, and the night goes smoothly. Cater Inc can help you plan your next sundowner party catering in the best way possible. We’ll make sure that every detail is perfect, from the timing to the taste.
