How to Throw the Perfect Summer Party on a Budget

Celebrity event planner and caterer, Andrea Correale, has dished out some of her budget saving secrets. If celebs like Gwyneth and Kim Catrall can trust her advice then I certainly can too.

Andrea is the President of Elegant Affairs, the New York based catering company behind numerous Hamptons and other high profile events. Although her events are often high profile though she still knows how to stretch a buck without the party guests catching on to her budget friendly ways! 

Check out her tips!:

Tip #1 – Save Money on Food with a “Daytime” Party

Can you say lower bar tab? Evening parties require much more elegant apps and alcohol. Daytime chic can be much more easily accomplished on a smaller budget.   “You can get away with less expensive food and less of a spread at a day time poolside gathering,” Andrea says.

Tip #2 – Lights, Candles, Action! Save on an Inexpensive Décor

Create a show-stopping and festive backyard presentation with simple and inexpensive decorations and accessories.  “Lawn chairs and table clothes are great, but don’t shy away from stored away Christmas lights, colorful tea candles and paper hanging lanterns,” says Andrea.  It’s the small things that add grandeur and charm to any party! These stylish decorations will cost under $30 and you’ll have them ready for the next bash!

Tip #3 – Arrange Your Own Tunes

Who says you have to hire a professional DJ to keep the party going? Instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars, create a playlist of your favorite summer time tunes on your iPod and connect it to speakers.  Voila! A DJ sure to play the tunes you and your friends want to hear for the cost-efficient price of…zero!

Tip #4 – Bottoms Up! Establish a Signature Drink

I plan to do this for my big day. You can even name it too! (Something cute.) Every party should have a signature drink, but that doesn’t mean it has to be an expensive one.  Impress your guests with large bell glasses filled with red wine Sangria.  For an extra flair, insert the Sangria recipe into a colorful picture frame next to the Sangria.  Don’t stop there! Make Sangria ice-cubes by placing one, canned mandarin orange slice in each compartment of two ice cube trays.  Fill each with red wine and freeze.  Serve with Sangria.  Supplement the Sangria with bottles of sodas and beers.

Tip #5 – Skip Filet Mignons and Grill Skirt Steak Instead

Don’t break the bank on Filet Mignon and Porterhouse steaks at your backyard bash. Skirt steak is a fabulous choice and costs at fraction of the price of the higher end favorites.  Skirt steak is a thin cut of meat, making it great to marinate and cook on the grill, as it soaks up the seasoning very well and cooks quickly. It's one of the most flavorful steak cuts, but also one of the tougher ones too, which is another reason why it's so great to marinate.  Decadent marinades make skirt steaks exceptionally delicious when grilled.