Parties in the summer — especially bridal showers and get-togethers with your BFFs — are nothing short of gorgeous: The flowers, décor, food and drinks, not to mention the weather, seem extra-special. We invited the team at Blueprint Registry, the first site to allow engaged couples to create a registry based on the layout of their home, to share their recommendations for a fabulous summer party. Here, their fun, creative ideas.

“Floral linens, gold accents and jewel-toned floral arrangements with peonies, ranunculus, hydrangea and lavender bring the summer season indoors for this summer solstice-themed party.”

Serve your guests fresh cocktails and light appetizers that you can prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy the party — without spending hours in the kitchen. We love these stuffed avocados and potato bites from Sarah Adler of Simply Real Health. 

Hors d’oeuvres

Crab Grapefruit Stuffed Avocados
4 avocados, cut in half and rubbed with lime juice right before serving
½ pound cooked Dungeness crab meat (or baby shrimp)
1 cucumber, peeled, seeds scooped out and cubed
1 red bell pepper, cubed
1 grapefruit, peeled with membrane removed and cubed
½ red onion, very thinly sliced then chopped
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
2 limes, juiced
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
Add all ingredients together (except the avocados) in a large mixing bowl and stir the mixture to combine. Scoop into avocado halves right before you are ready to serve. Serves 8.

Roasted Potato Bites with Chive Parsley Tapenade
12 baby potatoes, halved with rounded ends trimmed flat
½ cup of chopped chives
1 bunch fresh parsley, stems removed
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup olive oil
½ tsp sea salt, ½ tsp pepper

Directions:
Add all ingredients (except potatoes) to a blender with a splash or two of water, blend until smooth then transfer to a small ziplock plastic bag. Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add potato halves and toss with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Bake for 30-35 minutes until brown, flipping hallway in-between. Remove from heat and squeeze tapenade on top of each potato to serve. Serves 12.

Create a drink station by styling a gold bar cart (or set out a pretty tray) with a small vase of peonies or roses along with an ice bucket with a few bottles of prosecco and champagne glasses.

Set out a few garnishes like mint, sage or raspberries along with wine glasses so your guests can serve themselves. Mix a large batch of a signature cocktails, like Sarah’s Fresh Grapefruit Greyhound or Sage Gin Fizz, ahead of time and serve in a punch bowl or drink dispenser.

Signature Cocktails

Sage Gin Fizz
4-6 sage leaves
3 ounces high quality gin
3 ounces club soda
2 ounces honey

Directions:
Muddle sage leaves with gin and a splash of the honey or other natural sweetener. Pour over ice and add club soda. Stir well. Serves 2*

Fresh Grapefruit Greyhound
3 ounces of high quality vodka (we like Tito’s)
1 grapefruit juiced (approximately 6 ounces)
6 ounces club soda

Directions:
Mix ingredients well. Serves 2*

*”If serving these for a large party, we recommend multiplying the recipe per the number of guests (which comes out to two cocktails a person).”

Thank you, Blueprint Registry, for these fab ideas. Be sure to check out the site for perfect gift ideas for your new home and enjoy all your summer festivities. Cheers!

—Diane Forden