How To Throw The Ultimate Summer Garden Party

Whether you’re convinced the “football’s coming home” with the Euros, or you’re simply trying to get all your mates together over the warmer months for a good old fashioned British BBQ, throwing a summer garden party is a great way to celebrate friendship and commemorate the pivotal moments in life. Summer is one of the best times of year to host garden parties as the weather is warm, the flowers are out, and your garden is in its prime; so if you’re looking for tips on how to throw the ultimate summer garden party, keep reading.

Throwing The Ultimate Garden Party: Setting The Scene

First thing first when it comes to throwing a summer garden party, it’s time to get your garden looking spick and span and make it party ready for your guests. Make sure you walk around your garden and catalogue any maintenance jobs that need completing before you host your summer garden party. Perhaps you’ve noticed that the grass needs mowing or there are some repairs that need carrying out. See to these first, and then move on to setting the scene for your garden party.

Garden Party Decor

No summer garden party is complete without some garden decor, however, you’ll be pleased to know there’s no need to go overboard or spend a fortune on items for your garden. A few well placed string lights and maybe a centrepiece or two is all you need to ensure that your garden looks fresh and inviting for your guests. I recommend considering:

Lighting: Solar powered string lights are affordable, easy to use, and create a soft inviting light that looks great in gardens of all shapes and sizes. String around your table’s parasol, along the garden fence, or even in your favourite shurbs or trees. The soft lighting creates an elegant party atmosphere without being too intrusive.

Seating: Make sure to have ample seating for your guests. Whether you invest in a comfortable garden furniture set or hire some additional seating from a local vendor, ensure that there’s always enough comfortable seating for your guests. If getting hold of chairs or garden furniture is proving difficult, consider cute picnic blankets or camping chairs as an alternative.

Centrepieces: Use fresh flowers from your garden or your local supermarket to create beautiful table centrepieces. Old jars and rustic vases can add a charming, country-style touch without the hefty price tag of branded Mason Jars or expensive flower vases.

Weatherproofing Your Garden Party

You may have envisioned beautiful sunny skies for the day of your summer garden party, but let’s try and be realistic – this is the UK after all! One of the most important tips to remember when asking how to plan the ultimate summer garden party is to always remember to weatherproof your gathering. Here are a few tips on how to make sure your guests stay comfortable at your garden party, no matter what the British weather throws your way:

Gazebos and Parasols: It may be worth investing, hiring, or borrowing a gazebo if you’re worried about rain on the day of your garden party. Gazebos come in all sizes so you will undoubtedly be able to find one to suit your garden and party size. Additionally, parasols, despite their intended use to offer shade, also act in the same way as umbrellas and can offer relief from light showers.

Blankets and Heaters: No British summer garden party is complete without a basket of blankets. It may be scorching during the day, but when the evening chill hits, your guests will be so thankful to have a blanket to wrap themselves in and a few heaters dotted around the garden to keep everyone comfy.

How To Throw A Garden Party: Feeding Your Guests

Now let’s be honest, if there’s one thing us Brits love about a garden party, it’s the food and the drink! No summer garden party is complete without some delicious food and drink, and there are plenty of ways to go about supplying the goodies to your guests. Don’t forget about the party drinks when planning your catering options.

Private Catering

If you want to take the hassle out of feeding your guests, you could consider hiring a private chef. There are numerous benefits to doing so, but one of the most notable is, of course, that there’s less stress on your shoulders, which leaves more time available for you to plan your ultimate summer garden party.

Bring A Dish

Another catering option available to you is the classic “bring a dish” option. This catering method works by encouraging all your guests to bring a dish to your summer garden party that can be shared with others. This is a great way to ensure that there’s plenty of food available for guests, and that you get to try a little bit of everything. It doesn’t have to be fancy either, your guests could choose to bring prepackaged goods such as crisps or dips, or they may prefer to make a dish at home and bring it along with them.

BBQ

Of course, there’s nothing quite as good as a good old fashioned BBQ on a sunny day. Whether you choose to cater for all your guests or ask them to contribute to the food selection, there’s nothing quite like a British summer BBQ.

Summer Garden Party Entertainment and Activities

If you really want to elevate your summer garden party, why not consider keeping your guests entertained with a variety of activities suitable for all ages? Here are a few suggestions on how you can elevate your garden party game with entertainment, activities, and music:

Garden Games:

• Traditional Lawn Games: Set up classic games like croquet, boules, and badminton. These timeless activities are perfect for mingling and friendly competition.
• Children’s Activities: If children are invited to your summer garden party, consider a designated play area with activities like a treasure hunt, face painting, or a small inflatable pool.

Music and Ambiance:

• Live Music or DJ: If you want to take your summer garden party to the next level, you could consider hiring a local band or DJ to provide live music.
• Background Music: Alternatively, you could create a playlist of summer hits and play it through portable Bluetooth speakers.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a small family gathering or a big summer party, make the most of the British weather by celebrating in your garden! There are so many options for hosting the ultimate summer party depending on your budget and size restraints, so there’s no need to break the budget if you’re concerned about the cost. Just remember to supply enough food, drink, and seating to your guests and you are bound to have a brilliant party!

*Collaborative post.