August 29, 2019 Planning:

How to Plan an End of Summer Lemonade Stand Party

A lemonade stand popping up on a street corner is the essence of summer. What better way to end the season than with your own Backyard Lemonade Stand party?

The Planning Society and Sweet E’s Bake Shop in Los Angeles collaborated on this end of summer bash with an elaborate dessert table and refreshing lemonade stand. Pinks, yellows and whites were echoed throughout the decor culminating with custom-designed desserts including chocolate-dipped Rice Krispies bites, chocolate covered oreos, cake pops, cupcakes, lemon shaped cookies, pink buttercream swirl iced cookies, and a modern 2-tiered centerpiece cake. (check out our story How to Make Your Dessert Table the Center of Your Next Party with Sweet E’s Bake Shop for the expert details.)

To recreate this party and get the look, we are bringing you our party timeline, tips and vendors.

4 Weeks Before:

Decide on location, color scheme and any vendors including catering, rentals, and decor.
Start researching ideas and put together a Pinterest board with your favorite lemonade stand inspirations.
Figure out your party list and send out an invitation that sets the tone for your party to your friends and family. Paperless Post is a great online platform for sending invites, and you can use custom digital invitations as well as their invites.
Order signage, cake and treats that you will not be making yourself.

2-3 Weeks Before:

Order decor from your vendors. We ordered from Amazon, Etsy and Party City online and went in store to Michaels to purchase our decor items. You can also check out Cost Plus World Market, Target, HomeGoods and other stores for decor items, linens and utensils.
Take into consideration time for custom pieces to be made and shipping time, including your lemonade stand.
When your lemonade dispensers arrive, make sure to test out them out to ensure they don’t leak!

1 Week Before:

Decide on which options of lemonade you will be serving and make a test batch or two. You can also do a taste test of your favorite recipes. If you are short on time, you can also purchase your favorite lemonade from the store.
If you are making all your baked goods, start assembling your shopping list.
Make tent cards so your guests know what food you are serving. This is also helpful if any of guests have allergies or dietary restrictions. To enhance the decor of your party, match your graphics with your color scheme and invitation. You can find editable templates on Etsy and then print them out at home or a local office supply store.
Order flowers if you are not going to assemble them yourself.

Day Before:

Do a test run of the lemonade stand to ensure setup is seamless.
Assemble mason jars with lid cut outs and straws.
Purchase lemons, strawberries, flowers and ice and any other non-perishables you will be serving.
Place signs in acrylic sign holders.
Place flowers in cylinder vases.

Day of:

Set up table and lemonade stand.
Cut lemon and strawberry slices for the lemonade.
Prepare the lemonade and pour into the dispensers.
Add lemons to your flower centerpiece decor.
If you have balloons, make sure you have time to pick them up. Pre-ordering can save you time.
Prepare snacks and any other beverages for your guests (we assembled grazing boards so our guests could have a variety of snacks).
Have fun and enjoy the end of summer!