Summer Backyard Party: An evening spent outside with your closest gal pals, eating delicious food, and soaking up good times, may be exactly what you’ve been looking for!
Ahhh, I can feel it! The air is breezy and the temperatures are warming up. It’s my favorite time of the year for impromptu gatherings at our home on the weekends, and for grilling and spending time with family and friends. For a gal who loves to host, a backyard grilling bash is just what I need as an official “kick off,” to Summer. (That and a gals garden party too!)
It’s also the time of year where a lot of my gal pals are ready to get out and finally breathe after feeling cooped up over the ice-cold Winter days. I’m a sucker for girl time, so if I can find an excuse to have them over… you better believe I will.
Styling this Summer Backyard Bash for the Girls was incredibly fun and can be easily recreated, if you want to host a gathering like this in your backyard too!
Drink Station
Like I’ve mentioned on many of my tv segments on party styling, I LOVE to incorporate a “wow,” factor in each of the parties that I host and style.
For this party, the wow factor is definitely the Coca-Cola drink station. Why? Because not only is it serving a purpose as a stylish way to serve beverages, each Coca-Cola is personalized for each guest by using the “Share An Ice Cold Coke” names on the 20oz bottles! Personalization is always a sweet touch to parties, because it can instantly make your guests feel welcome from the start.
Cool Summer Nights:
The days can be HOT, and the evenings can be cool. The gals love it when I have small throw blankets already out when the temps cool down. Throw blankets can be an affordable gesture to have readily available for guests. This way, they may hang around a little while longer, instead of feeling the need to rush off.
You may also want to print out this free “Hello Summer” printable for some extra fun decor!
Grilled Kabobs
A light and easy menu for the girls is something that is always appreciated. The Coca-Cola grilled kabobs that were on the menu were DIVINE and I couldn’t wait to share this recipe with you for an easy summer dinner idea. The marinade-infused chicken and steak, combined with the peppers and onions had a dynamite flavor. Plus, with dinner “on a stick,” it helps make eating outside, a breeze.
Get the full recipe for the Coca-Cola Grilled Kabobs, below!
This marinade of Coca-Cola, combined with herbs, spices, and other liquids will wow your taste buds!
Aren’t the colors absolutely stunning!?
Coca-Cola Grilled Kabobs Recipe
Coca-Cola Marinade:
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. olive oil
1/3 c. lemon juice
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoon basil
2 Tbs parsley
1 teaspoon pepper
1 20 oz. bottle of Coca-Cola
Kabobs:
2 Ribeye Steaks, cut in to one inch pieces
2 Chicken Breasts, cut in to one inch pieces
1/2 red onion, cut in to chunks
1 lb bag of mini sweet peppers
5 oz. of cherry tomatoes
10 wooden skewers
Directions:
• Mix together marinade in a large bowl (Big enough to add meat and veggies too.)
• Add meat and all veggies in to marinade and let sit AT LEAST 30 minutes. Preferably overnight.
• While marinating, soak wooden skewers in warm water for at least 30 minutes.
• Place the kabobs on the hot grill directly over the flame or coals.
• Once marinated, skewer the meats and veggies on to the wooden skewers.
• Grill for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating 90 degrees every 4 minutes, until the meat is cooked to desired level of doneness.
Supreme Pasta Salad:
We absolutely love this Italian pasta salad recipe. It’s easy to make and is so light and refreshing, so perfect for a warm evening in the backyard. It was the perfect side dish recipe to have with a backyard bbq!
Summer Backyard Bash Party Favors:
With the kickoff of the beautiful, warm weather, a party favor full of Summer essentials for my gal pals is a MUST! I found the pails, hair ties, nail polish, clippers, and wooden letters at Target.
Each little pail has the initial of each guests on their favor (again… personalization is always an excellent “touch,” to help them feel welcome and appreciated.)
With Summer, comes sandals and pool parties. So by including goodies like I did here, each guest is ready for the outdoor days of Summer!
More Inspiration:
For more Share An Ice Cold Coke inspiration, head on over HERE to see more fun ways to incorporate the bottles in to your ice cold coke moments this year!
Have SO much fun styling and hosting your own backyard bash this Summer! I hope you found ideas that are easy to recreate, and that you have a ton of family and friends to share an ice cold Coke with!
Nicole Elliott ~ Client says
This looks like the perfect way to kick off the summer! Delicious and fun!
Jessica says
Thank you Nicole! I’m so glad that you like it!