With summer looming, garden parties are soon to start cropping up around the nation. There’s lots to love about a garden party, with loads of tasty food and drink and memorable evenings all round.
This year, why not go one step further with your upcoming garden party? To help you do just that, we have compiled this guide on how to plan a garden party fit for kings and queens. Give your guests a party to remember with these ideas:
Garden Party Ideas
1. Choose a theme
By far one of the best ways of ensuring your garden party ticks all the boxes is to set yourself a theme.
From English tea parties to French cuisine, there are loads of different themes to choose from. It can be easy to try and include an assortment of features in your garden party, but you’ll quickly discover that your time and money begins to run out. By setting a theme, you’re able to track exactly what you need from appropriately designed dining sets to the food you serve.
2. Experiment with lighting
When it comes to evening garden party ideas, lighting is a must. After all, it’ll allow the fun to continue well after sundown.
Garden lighting is often reserved for functionality over form. Industrial-looking solar powered lights, while useful, aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing of features.
Thankfully, there are some ways you can get inventive with your garden lighting. Candles, design-inspired fixings and even lights in old potted plants are some great ways of adding an atmospheric touch to your garden party well into the evening.
3. Designated areas
Just like in your home, it’s important to divide your garden into specific regions; this is especially true for garden parties, specifically larger ones with multiple guests.
Doing this allows people to split up throughout the party without forcing everyone into a cramped area. If your garden is big enough, why not try and separate it so that your garden is made up of multiple zones?
You can do this with themed seating and decorations, or by setting up paths and walkways to the areas you would like your visitors to go.
4. Makeshift drinks bars
Just like a commercial venue, your garden party should exude class and relaxation. One way of re-creating this feeling is by having a bar.
Private bars also have the added benefit of organisation. Say goodbye to drinks scattered throughout your garden; with an area dedicated solely to making drinks, you and your guests know exactly where old cups and glasses should go.
Depending on how big the occasion is, you could even go one step further and hire a bartender.
5. Re-use old garden furniture
Reduce, re-use, recycle. If you have any left-over plant pots or furniture, feel free to re-integrate them into your garden party.
While some of it may not fit in with your theme, it does help to have a few extra seats for those unexpected arrivals.
6. Keep the heat going
There’s no denying that the weather is make or break in a garden party scenario. The heat keeps us nice and comfortable even while outside, which is what makes winter garden parties somewhat of an anomaly.
Fret not, for there is a way to fight back against the cold weather and keep your party going. If you’re finding your guests reaching for hoodies and blankets, a patio heater could be just what you need. Take the Kalos electric heating range from Kettler for example. In it, we stock all sorts of heaters in various forms to suit almost any garden. From full-size pendant heaters to small electric lanterns, the Kalos range will keep your guest’s toasty for hours on end.
7. Choose music carefully
The deciding factor between a good garden party and a great one is ultimately underpinned by the atmosphere. What better way to set the right feel than with a carefully curated playlist?
Of course, different genres convey different moods, so selecting the right artists and tracks is key. If relaxation is your focus, you can’t go wrong with some classic R&B or folk music. But if you’re after more of a party, drift towards pop, rock, or EDM.
You should also think of your guests. Are there any artists they hate? Or, ones they can’t get enough of? Factor this into your playlist and you’re on to a real winner.
8. Bring the indoors, outside
Humans are creatures of comfort. We can’t get enough of all the little conveniences we have in our homes, including the use of a full-on kitchen.
Of course, indoor kitchens are exactly that – indoors. If you’re really looking to level up your garden party game, an outdoor kitchen is a must-have. Our Outdoor Kitchens from Kettler bring a lot of the conveniences of your kitchen outdoors. When paired with great food, we find this to be a great way to keep guests full and satisfied.
9. Over-prepare, over-deliver
In the words of John Steinbeck “The best plans of mice and men often go awry.”
When you’re caught up in the moment, impulsive last-minute attendees are a common occurrence in garden parties. As are little accidents such as spillages or dropping things after a few Pimm’s. In these situations, the last thing you want is to be caught without enough supplies for your guests.
So, once you have a rough estimate of how many guests you’re expecting, it’s a good idea to account for a little more. That way, you can be sure that you have more than enough food to feed everyone.
Durable Luxury From Kettler
You’ve tried the rest, now it’s time for the best.
Whether you’re revamping your outdoor space or simply looking for higher quality outdoor furniture, Kettler has you covered. From seating areas to pagodas, we have everything you need to give your garden a glamorous makeover.
Browse today and start designing your dream garden ready for your next garden party.
