Planning a garden party can seem like a daunting task. You have to think about the food, the music, the entertainment, and lots of other smaller details. The good news is that planning and hosting a garden party doesn’t have to be stressful. If you plan ahead and give yourself enough time, you should have no trouble putting on an event which both you and your guests will enjoy. Below, I have listed five tips for hosting the perfect summer garden party.
Tip 1: Pick a Good Theme
You may think that your party’s theme is unimportant or that you don’t even need one, but trust me, a good theme can be the difference between an average party and one your guests will rave about for years to come. What a theme does is give your guests something to connect to and participate in making your party more immersive and enjoyable. It also makes planning much easier because it gives you something to plan around. For example, if you choose ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as a theme, you could decorate your garden with playing cards and pocket watches.
When picking a theme, feel free to get creative, as you don’t have to go traditional. In summer, for example, a fun theme might be ‘Hawaii’ where you encourage your guests to wear Hawaiian shirts and you serve them tropical-themed drinks. The possibilities are endless. Just remember to make it something simple and easy for your guests to participate in.
Tip 2: Over Cater
A lack of food can ruin an otherwise excellent party, so make sure you don’t under cater. When your shopping for the food you are going to serve, purchase around a quarter more than you think your guests will eat. You would much rather have leftovers than guests going hungry. Your food should be plentiful, easily accessible, and easy to eat. Small sandwiches, pizza, and skewers work really well.
Tip 3: Have a Rain Plan
Even if you plan your party during the driest time of the year, there is always a chance that the heavens will open just when you don’t want them to. It’s imperative that you have a backup plan ready to go, just in case. If the forecast looks grim, you could consider hiring a marquee for the day. Alternately, you could move your party indoors if everyone will fit. As long as you’re prepared, wet weather doesn’t have to kill the party.
Tip 4: Choose appropriate music
If you have a sound system available, playing some relaxing music can really improve the atmosphere of your party. It’s important that it isn’t too loud though, so it doesn’t interfere with peoples’ conversations. It’s also important that it’s not too fast. Remember you want your guests to relax and it’s hard to do that if they have a rapid drum beat blasting in their ears. This doesn’t mean you have to play classical music; just make sure the music you pick matches the tone of your party. If you can find music that fits with your party’s theme then even better!
Tip 5: Have Good Entertainment
Whether you invest in one of the trampolines described on Trampoline First or make use of a pool, you need to consider the entertainment. What you choose will likely be determined by who will be attending. For example, adults may just be happy with a little bit of a music and the opportunity to sunbathe in your garden, whereas kids will need something specific to keep them entertained.
Tip 6: Eye-Catching Table Decor
Table set-up and decors are not always a top priority but this should not be forgotten especially for occasions where your guests spend more time sitting. Some ideas for your table set-up would be adding some centerpieces, using placemats, flowers, cheap table runner and maybe some simple notes. This requires a simple effort but can level up your party. With a beautifully decorated table, you’ll have a picture-ready piece of decor that sets the tone for your whole occasion.
So, next time you’re hosting a garden party, do not fret. If you plan ahead, buy plenty of food, pick a fun theme and have a backup plan in case of inclement weather, then you will have nothing to stress about. If you do all of the above there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to host the perfect summer garden party.
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