Summer Garden Party Guide
Are you the hostess with the mostest?
Summer calls for mouth-watering food, delectable drinks, and good company. If it’s the first party of the season or a weekly gathering, host your guests in style with a chic garden party. Guests can mingle under the trees in the midnight sky with a drink in one hand. If you're looking to plan an unforgettable bash, that incorporates a modern touch, get inspired by these 10 stylish garden party ideas.
Banqueting Table
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
Set up a table and chairs inside your garden for Alice-In-Wonderland-style outside dining, where guests can share food, conversation, and memories, creating a stimulating, intimate dining experience.
You can also use pallets as the perfect budget-friendly table for your garden party. In fact, pallets create a whimsical atmosphere that your guests will never forget. Adorned with a neutral runner, lush floral centrepiece and eclectic patterned napkins to elevate the table layout, while large pillows and throws welcome guests to get comfortable.
Light up the Garden
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Bored Art, The Spruce
Get your garden glowing!
Hang lights everywhere for a beautiful and warm ambience which will leave guests speechless. If you're having an al fresco dinner garden party in the evening, make it feel magical by hanging string lights from the trees and thick branches. Just a few candles placed on the table around will make for a picture-perfect setup. Add plush throws and colourful tabletop decor for a striking finish. You'll be surprised how a few simple accessories can turn your garden into the spot for summer hangouts.
Makeshift Bar
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
Get this party started!
If you don't have a full outdoor bar, wheel out a bar cart, this will boost guests to mingle al fresco. Once you've piled on all the necessary ingredients, deck it out with pretty barware and plants and make sure there are enough choices for every taste, or even elect a friend as a bartender.
Use a Rug
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
Define a space, by laying pretty rugs underneath the table. If your outdoor space is sprawling, this will help continue the intimacy of your home into your garden party.
Here are 3 of our top garden party rug suggestions from the Lilla Rugs collection:
Rug Choices (left to right) - ACSAH, BISHOP, NALA.
Flower Arrangements
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
It goes without saying that you can never have too many…
A garden party should be overflowing with fresh flowers. The combination of flowers and candles instantly takes a garden party table layout to the next level, remember to keep flowers or greenery in well-trafficked areas of the party, like the bar, the buffet, the dinner table. Try hanging your centrepiece above the centre of the table, this al fresco chandelier will make an instant and lasting impression on your guests.
Floral Infused Drinks
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, Wallflower Kitchen
Up your cocktail game and make sure your drinks are as pretty as your décor.
A refreshing signature cocktail is key for any event, especially an outdoor summer party. Create a self-service garden bar with several citrus juices, make simple syrups out of different herbs, and have a variety of clear spirits. Garnish with sliced citrus, more fresh herbs, and freshly picked blooms. If you’re not much of a drinker then elevate your hydration on a humid summer day with rose, lemon and strawberry water. This one might smell sweeter than your actual garden.
It's always a great time to have wine! Wine cubes are another great party pleaser. Freeze your favourite wine in ice trays (about 1 ounce per cube), then pop one or two into a light pour to make your glass last longer. You can also add a few cubes to sparkling water to keep it light.
Summer Platters
Image Credit (left to right) - Found Rentals, Hampstead Kitchen
What garden party is complete without a summer food platter?
It can seem impossible to make everyone happy, so these summer platters provide a healthy assortment that will satisfy any eater. Easy, quick, and delicious these platter ideas couldn’t be simpler—or more beautiful to look at.
Picnic Corner
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest
Party seating can be expensive so include comfy cushions as a relaxed and welcoming hideaway space, perfect for offering some shade from the sun.
Set rugs and pillows on the ground to create a cosy outdoor space with boho-inspired decorations and whimsical touches. If you want to throw a laidback but thoroughly stylish garden party; Pile on the rugs, pillows, poufs and throw blankets to create an inviting oasis that plays into a laid back party vibe. Voila! You have yourself a Boho summer garden party!
Party Theme
Can't think of a theme?
Tell your guests to bust out their best evening wear, the key to having a dreamy outdoor botanical soiree. Otherwise consider a movie theme like, ‘The Great Gatsby’ since all of his parties took place in his huge garden.
DIY Projector
Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest, A Practical Wedding
In the spirit of staying up late, as evening falls an impromptu movie theatre is a great way to relax…project a movie on the wall when the evening starts to come to a lull and pass out bowls of popcorn.
So, which garden party ideas are you going to try?