How to Throw a Garden Party
This article is part of a series on how to host a garden party. Enjoy tips, tricks, and more delicious recipes!
Everyone loves a good party, so why not make it extra special and throw a good old fashioned garden party? Think refreshing drinks, delicious food and a select number of guests lounging about soaking in the long-awaited sun. Entertaining in the summer should be all about enjoying ourselves and not about a lot of work, so check out these tips on throwing the best backyard bash your neighbors will be talking about all summer long!
Plan ahead. WAY ahead.
Think about your garden and yard at the beginning of the season. Start planting, arranging pots and work up to the event so that beforehand, you are just tidying things up, not planting and pruning.
Involve other people.
You don’t have to do it alone. By bringing on others, we grew closer, relied on each other, and helped bring creativity and loveliness out into the world, which is ultimately our end goal.
Bring on the flowers.
It wouldn’t be a garden party without a garden! And the more flowers the better. Be creative in where you place them. Not only do you want them on the grounds, but you could place them near the food, as centerpieces, or even make floral crowns to wear.
Create a unique focal point.
Creating something unique for a party means at least one decorative element that you haven’t seen anywhere else. Go on Pinterest for ideas.
Serve a seasonal menu.
Take inspiration from the season. It’s always nice to start the party off with a drink made with muddled seasonal fruit or a summery lemonade with fresh sprigs of mint or lavender. When it comes to food, shopping seasonally and locally is ideal.
Label everything.
No matter how large the party is, signage will always help. Label the food, drinks, seating, and even the flowers!
Dress code.
No one likes to guess what they should wear to a party. Once a dress code is requested, it immediately unifies the group and gets guests more involved.
The hostess provides the drinks, the guests bring a salty or sweet dish to share.
Here’s another idea on how to plan out the menu. This takes a lot of stress out preparations for the hostess. Plus, it’s a chance to let others bring and share their favorite recipes.
Hold the event towards the end of the summer.
This is the perfect time to gather together after everyone’s summer vacations. Plus, your guests will be dazzled when your garden is super full and beautiful.
Use “what ya got” to decorate.
This is my mantra. Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Be creative with what you have. You could display books with gardening pictures, or arrange watering cans.
Have a few women come early to help with last-minute details.
The hostess doesn’t have to do it all–and shouldn’t even try! Ask a few friends to come early to finish setting up, mix drinks, or greet guests.
Matchy-matchy is so out.
Borrow things from friends and arrange things in clusters. Mix vintage linens and event fabric yardage as table cloths.
Twinkle lights will give it that finishing touch.
There is just something about the warm glow of lights on a summer evening. It creates the perfect mood and ambiance. It’s worth your time to put them up.
Now some of you may be saying, I can’t host 40 women in my yard. You don’t have to! You can just have four of your girlfriends over for a small party. The point of the party is to enjoy the last of summer and spend time with one another.
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