?A garden party is a great springtime and
summer event to host that gets family and friends together to savour the riches
that nature has to offer. With flowers in full bloom, gardens are a great place
to kick back and relax, away from the hectic workplace. Gardens have a proven mindfulness
effect. This, along with good company and great food, means that your guests
will soon see all of their cares float away.
Decide the Theme
When organising a garden party, the first
thing that you’ll need to decide as host is what theme you’re going to have. Is
it going to be formal like a garden party at Buckingham Palace? A chance for
everyone to get dressed up in their finest? Perhaps your garden party is
actually a wedding reception that will include a full sit-down meal? On the other
hand, the dress code can be completely casual, with trainers recommended and
the BBQ and beers on the go right from the start. Whatever theme you decide on,
make sure that this is relayed to your guests with plenty of time to spare. The
words garden party mean different things to different people, so it’s best to
let everyone know what you’re expecting.
Pick a Location
There are loads of gardens for hire in
London that suit every type of party imaginable. From rooftop gardens where
everyone can relax in a cocoon of mother nature while the city is bustling with
activity below you, to a more formal garden in one of the large country houses that
are real city gems. There are gardens with water features, gardens with mazes,
you name it, you’re sure to be able to find it. When choosing the venue that’s
right for you, you need to have an idea of how many people you are expecting to
show up. You’ll also need to decide if you want to have an indoors area
reserved for your party as well. It’s always good to have this option just in
case the weather turns.
Time of Day
It’s essential that you consider the time
of day when hosting a garden party. If you are having it start early, you’ll be
in the midst of the hottest part of the day, which might not be feasible in
summer when temperatures can soar. It the evening, you have the opposite problem.
Depending on the weather, nights can still be very cold when outside. You will
need to think everything through and plan carefully depending on what you
decide. This will change according to the weather forecast as well as the
season, so it’s best to keep a close eye on any changes and plan for all
eventualities.
Lighting
The majority of garden parties will go on
well into the evening. If this is the case with yours, you’ll need to consider
lighting for when the sun starts to set. Fairy lights always look magical in
any type of garden, and guests can roam around the flowers and still be able to
see where they are going. Some gardens for hire will already have these
installed. Having fire-pits is another
great idea that will add both light and warmth after dark. They are a great
prop to get everyone sitting around in a circle, sharing stories and even
swapping some songs! Not to mention, there’s always the chance to toast some
marshmallows when there’s a fire-pit available.
Top Tips:
There are lots of things that you can do to
make sure that your garden party is truly special. Here’s just a few of our top
tips for you to think about when you start planning yours.
Choose a Colour Palette
Keeping to a colour palette will make decisions
about napkins and other decorations simple. When everything seems to match, it
can turn your budget décor into something that looks chic and sophisticated – without
the need to add anything else. If you want to continue this, you can even let
your guests know the colours, so that they can dress to match.
Citronella Candles
No one likes a bug in their drink, but
there are a few things that you can do to help prevent insects plaguing your
garden party. Citronella candles is one. When lit, these discourage insects
from getting close so that your guests will be able to eat in peace.
Relaxed Playlist
Having the right playlist for the mood is
always a must. As it’s a garden party, why not try some more relaxing tunes
that will help your guests get in touch with nature? As the evening goes on,
you can then change to something a little bit more upbeat if you’re looking to
add something more to the party vibe.
Have Plenty of Ice on Hand
There’s nothing worse than a warm drink, so
make sure that everything is kept nice and chilled. Have plenty of ice and
coolers on hand and keep more inside if you have access to a freezer. It’s
always good to have a large supply of water as well so that everyone stays
hydrated if it is a particularly warm day.
Make Sure There Is Shade
If you are hosting your garden party
completely outside, and there is a limited area indoors, then you will need to
make sure that there is adequate shade from the sun for your guests. Put up umbrellas
to help keep everyone out of the worst of the sun and don’t forget to bring
sunscreen with you!
A garden party is a wonderful way to relax
and enjoy nature when you live close to a city. When planned right, it can be a
chance for everyone to unwind, including the host! Don’t forget to give
yourself time to enjoy the party that you’ve organised and make the most of the
sunshine.
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