How to Host a Bring Your Own Pool Party: Checklist + Invites

Planning a summer bash and looking for unique ways to celebrate? Consider hosting a bring your own pool party! With this fun idea, your friends and family will bring their own pool (and accessories!) to the event, giving them the opportunity to express their unique style and add fun conversation to the day. 

Learn more about this special way of celebrating that’s perfect for summertime, whether it’s a big birthday bash, a neighborhood gathering, or a bachelorette party. Here, you’ll find practical tips to pull this party off and discover invitations that will get guests excited about the unique event.

What Is a Bring Your Own Pool Party?

A “Bring Your Own” pool party (BYOP party) is an event where a host provides the venue and decor, but guests bring their own pools — snacks and refreshments can be supplied by the host or the guests. It’s a fun spin on the tradition of a potluck and allows hosts to put together larger events without taking on all of the stress of preparation and planning. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to plan this event at all — in fact, there are several steps to keep in mind when throwing the party.

1. Find and Prepare the Venue

The main hosting job for a bring your own pool party is to offer a venue. This can be your own backyard, a local park, or a public beach. Wherever you choose to host, be sure that your venue provides for basic amenities such as restrooms and some shade to get out of the sweltering sun. Something as simple as a few umbrellas or nearby trees work well or you can opt for a larger shaded tent with misters if temps are expected to soar.

Once you’ve found the venue, you’ll want to decorate the space. Balloons, streamers, and confetti are the perfect choice if it’s a birthday party celebration or a casual gathering with friends. Don’t forget to put together a poolside playlist for a memorable afternoon.

For a festive vibe, use pool party decorations like inflatable palm trees, plastic flamingos, beach balls, and pool floats. If you’re hosting the event at a public pool or venue, be sure to ask if there are any rules you’ll need to follow.

2. Choose a Pool Party Theme

Next, you’ll want to consider a pool party theme! You can host something as simple as a backyard BBQ or go big with a traditional Hawaiian luau or lemon-themed bash. Other fun themes include under the sea and nautical vibes or an outdoor movie night. For added fun, consider planning a BYOP party featuring neon lights or retro themes.

3. Decide Who’s Supplying Food and Drinks

Some hosts supply beverages and snacks for guests at this type of event while others choose to make it a potluck BBQ and have guests bring their own, or something to share with the whole group. Make this clear either way in your digital invitations.

For example, if you want guests to bring their own lunch along with their pool, you could say something like:

You’re invited to a Bring Your Own Pool Party in celebration of Courtney’s birthday, this Saturday at 4 p.m. 

Please bring your own lunch and an inflatable pool.

Alternatively, if you’re hosting a potluck version, you could write:

We’re honoring Dave with a Bring Your Own Pool Party to celebrate his graduation. 

Please bring your own inflatable pool to the public Stinson Beach at 3 p.m. on Sunday June 29th. 

We also request that you bring a food item or drink to share with everyone — be sure to use our sign-up list [Add Link] so we ensure everyone brings along something different.

Finally, if you’re providing all the food and guests only need to bring a pool, you could say:

It’s summertime and that means it’s time for our annual friend get-together. This year, we’re hosting a Bring Your Own Pool party! 

Plan on bringing an inflatable pool, stylish accessories, and yourself — we’ll supply the food and drinks.

4. Coordinate Contributions

Since guests may be bringing a variety of items, you’ll want to use clear communication to ensure everyone knows what’s expected of them. That starts with clearly listing out what guests are expected to provide and what you’ll supply as the host in your invitations.

You can add a question in your digital invitation asking what people will bring. If anyone has repeats, you can follow up with them individually. Or, you can also make a public signup sheet where guests can add their names to a particular category (like a main dish or side dish) or a specific item (like burger buns or salad). You can link to it in your invite.

5. Make Arriving Easy

Since guests will be arriving with several items, make their entry to the venue easy by setting up stations for them. A food table is the perfect spot to drop off tasty treats while a drink table is a good option for leaving beverages like lemonade and margaritas. Fill these stations with essentials like cutlery, serving tools, and ice-filled coolers as needed. 

You’ll also want to clear space for everyone’s pools. Create a designated area where guests will arrange their inflatable pools. Make it easier for guests to set up their pools by providing a portable inflator for floaties and a hose for filling up the pools. Set up baskets with essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats in case anyone forgot to pack their fun accessories.

Bring Your Own Pool Party Checklist

When it comes to a bring your own pool party event, those aren’t the only considerations. There may be a few additional steps depending on how you plan on hosting the event. To make planning easier, we’ve included a quick checklist of all tasks, but feel free to ignore any that may not be relevant for your event — like buying food if you want guests to bring it!

Here’s a quick bring your own pool party checklist for easy planning:

• Find a venue
• Choose a theme
• Send invitations with clear instructions on what to bring
• Create a playlist
• Plan activities (limbo competitions, yard game events, etc.)
• Decorate the venue
• Set up chairs/seating areas, tables, and the pool areas
• Buy/set out food and beverages (if you’re supplying these)
• Arrange supplies like umbrellas, sunscreen, and towels
• Get ready to greet your guests!

Bring Your Own Pool Party Ideas for Invitations

Ready to invite guests to your bring your own pool party? At Greenvelope, you’ll find dozens of options for summer-themed parties. Here are some of our favorite pool party invitations to consider.

1. Pool Party invitation

Design: TM Stationery

Featuring retro pool party vibes, this colorful invite is ideal for summer gatherings. Choose from two artist-curated colorways or dream up your own using the color wheel. The supported backside has plenty of room for your event details and instructions on what guests should bring.

2. Fun Pool Floats Invitation

Design: Ana Sharpe Design

Get guests ready for a good time with this fun pool floatie invite. Perfect for any summer pool party or outdoor party, guests will be sure to hit yes on their RSVP card when they open this design. 

3. Pool Party Necessities Invitation

Design: Pedaller Designs

This lively invite will make a splash whether you’re hosting a BYOP party for a kid’s birthday or an adults-only gathering. Basic party information goes on the front while the supported backside offers room for the party instructions and what to bring. 

Splish Splash Your Way Into Summer Fun

It’s pool time and what better way to celebrate than by planning a bring your own pool party. With this guide, you’ll have a handy checklist and step-by-step instructions on how to pull off this fun and unique event. 

Plus, it’s easier than ever to invite guests to your celebration using Greenvelope’s selection of invites including pool party invitations. Customize the designs by changing the color schemes or updating the typography to match the vibe of your event. You can even add details like music and sending is as easy as a few clicks. Best of all, you can quickly add sign-up sheets to make it easier for everyone to know what to bring.

Continue browsing our Stationers blog, your got-to resource for all things party planning. From simple birthday celebrations to over-the-top summer party themes, you’ll find what you need for an unforgettable event.