Gardens are perfect for parties—the splash of colours from flowers and plants, basking in nature, looks amazing.
As it gets warmer, people tend to spend more time outdoors and that is a great time to invite some friends over for drinks and a barbecue or tea.
Should you decide to go all big and glamorous or stick with the small and simple, a summer garden party is the best place anyone can be.
“But I don’t know the next thing about throwing a party”, you tell yourself. Don’t shy away yet, here are 9 tips for hosting the perfect garden party your British self has thrown.
Pick A Theme
So, what is it going to be? Is it a birthday, an anniversary, a promotion celebration, a swim party or a Halloween party?
Deciding what kind of party you are hosting will help you pick a theme for it and encourage your guests to make an effort for it.
A theme also helps you know what style of decoration you should go for and how to set the mood for the event.
Assuming you have a pool in your garden, the aforementioned swim party can be themed ‘Hawaiian Luau’. Therefore, your decorations should be filled with tropical colours and flowers and your table should be filled with chicken/pork kebabs, Hawaiian style gam, fruit salad and coconuts for food. This will give your guests the chance to prepare and dress accordingly.
Decorate Your Garden
Now that you know why and how to pick a theme, the next thing on this list is decorations. When you pick a theme, you should decorate your garden to fit the theme.
Pay attention to the colours and flower decor you use, making sure they fit your theme.
For instance, if your theme is ‘Eco Fiesta’, your decorations should be with reusable balloons, plantable invitations, crafts from recyclables, composite decking, repurposed home decor, hanging tea light holders and flowers.
You can self-decorate with some simple paper chains, flowers and pretty napkins, arranging the furniture around the outskirts of the garden and allowing space for your guests to walk freely.
Create A Relaxed Seating Arrangement
Comfortable seating is important for an exceptional garden party. You wouldn’t want your guest standing all day as a result of uncomfortable and squeaky chairs.
There are various seating options you can use depending on the number of invited guests.
If you are expecting a few close friends, a large round or rectangular table with soft cushions placed around an outdoor mat or rug would suffice.
But if you are throwing an extravagant party for a large number of people, multiple seating should work well. You can have small circular tables that should fit two or three chairs strategically placed on small outdoor rugs around your garden.
You can also place soft cushions on the rug for your guests to rest their tired feet. Remember the goal is to make them as comfortable as possible.
Set Your Table
This is where the menu comes in. Since you want to host the best garden party ever, you would also want to enjoy the party as well.
For that to occur, you would have to set your table in a way that your guests can help themselves with anything. Get all the food and drinks out in advance.
You can put the food in large, heat-retaining kitchen wares and place them on the table, the drinks can be stored in a cooler on the side so everyone can help themselves.
Choose plastic plates and cutlery if you have lots of children around. Or go for China if you want something a little more adult-like.
Choose The Right Lighting
Lighting is important for setting the ambience of your party. Lighting can make your party appear to be happening at night when in fact, it occurs at daylight, creating any atmosphere you want.
The combination of lanterns, string lights and solar-powered outdoor lights can create a cosy night vibe in your garden.
Fun Activities and Games
Music is one way to set the fun scene for any party. You can curate a playlist just for the party you intend to host and set up a sound system (preferably hidden) just in case you have the kids of your guests around.
Or you can set up an area where they can engage in fun activities like hopscotch, catch the butterfly, simple colouring, and playing with bubbles.
Drinks
The more the drinks, the merrier the party!
Your guests need a variety of drinks to stay hydrated, and by that, we don’t mean water. A good summer cocktail can do the trick—Pimms or Sangria are real crowd pleasers but then, you can mix anything sweet, fruity and alcoholic to make a good summer punch.
If most of the guests on your list are strangers and you don’t know their preferences, it is wise to have a wide variety of drinks that appeal to all preferences.
Food
The food menu is as important as the drinks. People’s appetites only rise to visually appealing food so spread out your menu in an attractive way.
It is good to have nibbles like sweets and cake waiting for your guest’s arrival. When they are welcomed with a few sumptuous bites it will get their conversations flowing. You can make vegetarian and vegan-friendly food to suit your guest’s individual preferences.
Have A Backup Plan!
It’s always advisable to have a plan B. This is in case our very own British weather takes a turn for the worst. Make a plan for where you could put your food and guests should it rain. A tent or gazebo are good options.
Conclusion
Now you can throw the best British garden party without a fuss! Follow the ideas above and we won’t be surprised if you manage to impress your boss with a well-thrown business party in your yard.