14 | ARROYO | 07.19
GO GLAMPING, BACKYARD-STYLE With a little (or a lot) of help, your summer party can be the talk of the town. BY BRENDA REES PHOTOS: Courtesy of WonderTent Parties The staycation phenomenon spotlighted the pleasures of hanging out inside your home, offering you a chance to relax and unwind in the comfort of your own recliner or bed, where you can get lost in an assortment of Netflix-binging options. And a new trend aims to reintroduce you to your patio, porch, deck and backyard in ways you didn’t think possible. Now glamping, or luxurious camping — combining a nature experience with lavish furnishings — is hitting closer to home. Backyard barbecues are becoming more extravagant, baby showers more memorable. Birthday sleepovers are celebrated with enchanted flair, and simple family gatherings are benefiting from greater creativity. Backyard glamping is officially a thing. Just scan Pinterest and see the thousands of images folks are posting of their elaborate thematic setups, their clever use of lighting draped inside and outside of canvas tents that are artfully decorated with throw pillows, Moroccan rugs and hanging chandeliers. Kids’ sleepover parties are enhanced with Martha Stewart– inspired crafts, tasteful design elements encircling the “campfire” (a.k.a. fire pit) and giant outdoor versions of Jenga and Connect Four. If these extras sound exhausting for the time-crunched host and hostess, don’t worry. A handful of companies are making it easier for clients to throw a backyard glamping experience, because organizing a gathering — no matter how big or small — comes with its own set of stresses. Hosts work with designers to tailor the events (such as bridal showers, graduations, book-club meetings or girls’ night-outs) to be as elaborate or simple as needed. On the day of the event, all the necessary gear and accessories will be delivered and often set up for you. After the shindig, crews pack everything up so there’s no post-party hassle and cleanup. “We started thinking we would focus on children, but we learned quickly that adults want these kinds of experiences as much as kids do,” says Trish Healy, founder of Studio City–based WonderTent Parties, launched in 2017. Originally from Australia, Healy said the idea for the company was sparked by a request from 13-year-old Celia, a child she and her husband were fostering at the time. Celia’s Christmas wish list included a sleepover, something she had yet to experience. This simple request turned into not just an unforgettable event for Celia (who’s now officially adopted by the couple) but a business opportunity for Healy, who decided to elevate the humble slumber party into a memory-making event. And who can blame parents when they see kids having fun with their friends in a relatively nondigital manner? In addition to tents, sleeping bags, mattresses and lanterns, parties can include a karaoke machine, popcorn cart, dress-up clothes and more. Adults, says Healy, have options to kick it up a notch with five-star experiences that have included gourmet dining on low tables, wine or tequila tastings, massage tables, sushi sampling, a Tiki bar, tarot card readings and more. Of course, low-key requests are also popular. Healy once organized a Father’s Day backyard glamping party for a few families that involved a dinner, a movie and tents. “The families brought the dads’ favorite recliners outside for them to watch the movie,” she says, explaining that clients often personalize their parties with items they already own. “Backyard glamping is all about creating a shared experience with others.” –continued on page 16 07.19 | ARROYO | 15