An open-air summer party is a natural fit for a company that cares about the environment, ethical trading or animal welfare. The challenge is making sure everything on the day reflects those values, from the acts and costumes to the ingredients in the cocktails. One multi-day company gathering in the Dorset countryside shows how it can be done, with entertainment rooted firmly in the natural world.
Key takeaways
- Every supplier, act and ingredient should be checked against the brand's values, not just the obvious ones.
- Nature-inspired walkabout acts such as human topiary and flower pot characters suit outdoor settings perfectly.
- Multi-day events need a clear changeover plan for marquees, decor, furniture and production.
Start with the values, then choose the acts
When a business has a strong ethos, guests notice when something does not fit. A party for a company built around vegetarian and vegan products, conservation and charity work needs entertainment that feels consistent with that message.
In practice this means asking more questions than usual. Are costumes free of real feathers or fur? Are props and make-up cruelty free? Do bar acts use vegan-friendly spirits and mixers? At the Dorset gathering, even the raw ingredients in the molecular cocktails were checked so they matched the brand's standards.
Tip from our team: Share your sustainability or ethics policy with your entertainment agency at the start, so it can be passed on to every performer.
Walkabout acts that bring the outdoors to life
The entertainment leaned into the countryside setting. Flower pot characters strolled among guests, and human bushes, covered head to toe in greenery, stood still among the planting before surprising people by moving. These acts are funny, gentle and very photogenic, and they work for every age.
Nature-themed walkabout acts suit garden parties, family fun days and summer conferences, and they need no stage or power. Other ideas that fit the same feel include living statues finished in moss or blossom, stilt walkers dressed as trees or woodland creatures, and floral-costumed hostesses greeting guests.
- Human topiary or hedge characters
- Flower pot walkabout characters
- Woodland or floral stilt walkers
- Botanical living statues
- Garden-themed welcome hostesses
Drinks that tell a story
Molecular mixology turns the bar into a show, with foams, smoke, gels and fruit caviar created in front of guests. It also gives a values-led brand a chance to show off ethical or local ingredients. Ask your bar provider for a menu built around seasonal produce and suppliers you are happy to name.
Running three events over two days
This was not a single evening. The project covered three separate events across two days, which meant marquees going up, decor being installed and then changed over, furniture being moved several times, multiple caterers and a substantial crew handling sound and production.
If you are planning something similar, the key is a detailed production schedule shared with every supplier. Each changeover needs its own time slot and a named person responsible. Entertainers need to know where to change, where to store kit and when each space will be ready for them.
- Map every changeover between sessions with realistic timings.
- Book one production company to oversee sound, lighting and power across all sessions.
- Give performers a covered changing area that stays available for the whole event.
- Have a wet weather plan for every outdoor act.
- Arrange filming early if you want a short film of the event for staff and social media.
Making the most of an outdoor summer party
British summers are unpredictable, so the most successful outdoor parties are planned so they can shift under cover at short notice. Marquees with open sides give you shade and shelter without losing the open-air feel.
Think about how guests move around the site, too. Walkabout acts are ideal for drawing people to quieter areas and for keeping queues at the bar or food stations entertained. A short film of the event can then be shared internally, giving staff who could not attend a flavour of the day and reinforcing the brand values behind it.
Acts and themes in this article
Walkabout Characters
Pirates, nutcrackers, sea creatures and more
Living Statues
Still, silent and stunning, until they move
Stilt Walkers
Towering costumed characters that own the room
Hosts & Hostesses
Themed meet-and-greet and guest hosting
Enchanted Garden
Floral living statues, garden aerial and blooming champagne glasses for a romantic, natural look.
Frequently asked questions
What is human topiary?
Performers in costumes made to look like hedges or bushes. They blend into the planting, then move or interact with guests, which always gets a reaction.
Can acts work outdoors if it rains?
Many walkabout acts can perform in light rain, but costumes covered in foliage or flowers may need cover. Always agree a wet weather plan with your agency before the day.
How do I make sure entertainment matches our company values?
Put your requirements in writing at the start, covering materials, make-up, drinks and anything else that matters to you, and ask for confirmation from each supplier.
Planning a summer party outdoors?
Tell us about your venue and your company values, and we will suggest nature-themed acts and walkabout characters that fit.
Written by Oliver Bradshaw, Events writer.
