Make the most of your outdoor space and invite your friends and family to a garden party! The warmer weather is here and it’s time to make the most of the deckchairs and terrace and get your garden in tip-top shape for the sunnier months. A garden party is often an opportunity for guests to get together in a convivial setting and enjoy the fine weather.
Whether you want to organise a cocktail party with friends or a fun party in your garden until the early hours of the morning, we’ve got some tips and ideas to make sure your garden party impresses your guests on the perfect summer evening.
Summary
1. Arrange your garden
The first step in organising a garden party is to make sure your garden is clean and tidy. To do this, remove any dead flowers, mow the lawn, weed and hide any toys or gardening tools.
By having a tidy space to decorate, you’ll see the space as larger and with more design possibilities. If you’re serving dinner seated, choose a stable spot to place the table and chairs. Invest in large planks of wood that you can lay on the lawn to create a solid base or temporary terrace.
2. Provide shelter from the heat
The comfort of your guests must be your top priority. Providing a shaded area is essential if the weather forecast is for hot, sunny weather. A large parasol over a table will provide shade for food and drink, but also think about where your guests can take shelter.
Why not use a large sheet to create a sail over part of the garden? And if it’s really hot, make sure you have citronella candles and mosquito repellent on the tables.
3. Provide shelter from the heat
The comfort of your guests must be your top priority. Providing a shaded area is essential if the weather forecast is for hot, sunny weather. A large parasol over a table will provide shade for food and drink, but also think about where your guests can take shelter.
Why not use a large sheet to create a sail over part of the garden? And if it’s really hot, make sure you have citronella candles and mosquito repellent on the tables.
4. Make sure there’s music
No party is complete without a little music to get your guests in the summer mood. In fact, music is a great way to set the mood at your summer event. Perhaps you can hire a DJ or musicians, or create a playlist to which each participant can add songs. That way, everyone can have fun with their own musical tastes.
5. Choose a theme
If you’re planning a garden party, we advise you to choose a specific theme. You can choose a theme, for example tropical, 80s or pastel, and decorate your table with matching plates and napkins. Decorate your outdoor area and invest in original accessories to help set the scene. For example, think pink flamingos or inflatable palm trees for a tropical island feel, or blue and red striped deckchairs for a nautical vibe.
Don’t neglect mood lighting either. When the sun goes down, your party takes on a whole new look. Your garden will sparkle once you’ve installed the lanterns, candles and fairy lights.
Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s always a good idea to send out invitations. These can be in the form of cards or a simple message. In the invitation, you should specify the date, place and time of arrival, as well as the theme of your garden party.
Using an online registration system for your event can greatly simplify the management of your invitations.
Don’t neglect mood lighting either. When the sun goes down, your party takes on a whole new look. Your garden will sparkle once you’ve set up the lanterns, candles and fairy lights.
Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s always a good idea to send out invitations. These can be in the form of cards or a simple message. In the invitation, you should specify the date, place and time of arrival, as well as the theme of your garden party.
Using an online registration system for your event can greatly simplify the management of your invitations.
The dress code for your garden party depends on the theme and formality of the day and, of course, the weather. Whether you opt for a more classic event, with summery dresses, or a late night with a touch of glamour, letting your guests know will ensure that everyone dresses appropriately.
6. Plan your food and drink
There are different ways of offering original and convivial dishes. For example, you could start with a cocktail made from seasonal fruit and vegetables. Why not set up a bar in the garden to prepare and serve summer drinks? Play the role of bartender yourself, or let your guests get to work making their own cocktails!
Then think about the meal: do you want to serve a single menu or just small bites throughout the evening? Take all these points into consideration to find out what’s best for your garden party. The menu should be adapted to the time of day and the theme of your garden party.
Here are a few easy-to-make menu ideas:
- A chic barbecue: keep it simple with a good barbecue, accompanying the meat or vegetables with delicious marinades.
- A buffet: a buffet is a great idea to give you more time to enjoy the party and your guests. Decorative fruit and cheese platters are very easy to make and trendy.
7. Organise games
Entertain your guests with fun activities throughout the day or evening. Games such as pétanque or a mini sports day with different activities can be organised. Treasure hunts are another good idea for entertaining children.
Weezevent can help you organise your event with online registration, access control, cashless payment and CRM emailing tools!
