How to organise the best work summer party

Start early

We don't mean beers with breakfast - for a great party, you should start organising it ahead of time. This gives you chance to book the best venue and suppliers; it also gives your guests plenty of notice so they can make sure they're free. Many people go abroad in the summer, so it's best to give them as much notice as possible.

Pick the party you want to have for your work

As the event organiser, you'll have a lot of sway over what kind of party you'll be having - of course, those who are paying for it will have the final say, but you'll have a major influence.

Now's your chance to throw the kind of party you want for your colleagues, whether that looks like a formal evening of fine dining, a day of fun with bucking broncos and party games, or a relaxed afternoon with an open bar.

What theme should you have?

When thinking about the kind of party you want to have for your company, you might think about a themed party! These can bring another element of fun to your event and often encourage people to lean into it even more. We've included some of our favourite theme ideas below:

• Hawaiian
• A set decade, whether that's the 80s, 90s or even the 1920s!
• Superheroes
• Colour themes - white parties may be the most well known, but you can do this with any colour!
• A certain TV show, such as Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey

Set a budget

Planning a party can be stressful, but it can also be great fun! To stop you from getting carried away, and to keep the CFO happy, it's best to set a total budget at the beginning, and break that down for the different elements.

Your breakdown will look different depending on your needs, but however big or small the budget, it's good to plan it out early on.

Food and drink

Food and drink are big contributors to an event's success - particularly if there is an open bar. Having the right food, and importantly, at the right time, can boost people's moods and the whole party atmosphere.

Deciding between a sit-down meal at a set time and a more casual approach with either a buffet or circulated food throughout the event will depend on the kind of party you want to have, and both have their merits.

With vegetarian and vegan food becoming increasingly popular, and a greater spotlight on dietary requirements, it's important to remember those guests who may need a slightly different offering. Make sure to feed this into the venue or caterers in advance.

The perfect venue

A venue can make or break an event. You'll need somewhere that can accommodate all your guests comfortably - that's somewhere with ample space, and seating and may require different rooms or spaces. When it's for a summer party, the outdoor space that you and your guests have access to makes for an even more special occasion.

You'll also want to give your guests that 'wow' factor that only comes from unique and impressive venues. Whether that be a sports stadium, on a rooftop terrace, travelling along a river by boat or in a historic building, there are so many options to make your party one to remember.

As well as the venue itself, you'll need to consider the location and how people can get there. As it's a party, many people will likely indulge in a drink or two so it is best to assume people won't be driving. Take a look at the public transport options, and you may want to consider taxis or coaches (and their cost).

Incorporate team building (Twickenham have team building ideas below

A party is great for helping bring people together - and not just people on the same team but across the whole company.

Twickenham, as a stadium for one of the world's most liked team sports, is a great place for team building!

• Bring everyone together through a shared experience by doing the Haka, a traditional Maori tribal dance used by the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team
• Inspire collaboration and competitiveness with a pub quiz
• Enjoy the sun with some classic sports day favourites like the sack race
• Split into teams to create or build something (perhaps a replica of your workplace or iconic venue like Twickenham Stadium) with a set time limit

Take the weather into consideration

Yes, the great British weather is rather unpredictable, even in the summer months, but don't let that put you off an outdoor event. There are plenty of options when it comes to partying with unreliable weather. Even on the clearest days with no rain, it's nice to have some shaded areas to take cover from the sun.

Incorporating marquees or gazebos into your event, or simply hiring a venue with indoor and outdoor spaces, will keep your party in full swing whatever the weather brings.

Twickenham Stadium has a fantastic range of outdoor spaces for summer parties, including pitch-side barbecues and the rooftop British Airways Rose Garden, accommodating groups of 10 all the way up to 1,200. Find out more about summer parties at Twickenham Stadium.