Everyone loves a party, with old friends getting back together, the chance to meet new people, and the opportunity to enjoy a rare spot of good weather! As much as it’s great to be a guest, hosting the perfect garden party can be an intimidating task, since there’s a lot of pressure to deliver a great day for everyone invited.
Fear not, though, as we’ve assembled a list of garden party ideas that will make your planning process a breeze. From garden party themes that your guests will love to sorting the perfect entertainment, here are our tips for hosting the best get-together possible from the comfort of your own garden.
Send out the invites
The first thing to get out of the way is your invitations. Make a list of everyone you would like to invite, and either write a physical invitation to send to each of your guests for a personal touch, or invite them all to a group chat for convenience’s sake.
Make sure you send out all the necessary details, including time, date, and place. Remember to give plenty of notice so that your guests can check their calendars and make time for your party.
Garden party themes
Looking to go the extra mile with your garden party experience? There are plenty of ways you can give your guests a night to remember with a unique theme. Giving your party a central topic can influence your dress code, food, entertainment, and more.
Here are some of our top ideas for garden party themes, and all the best entertainment to go alongside them!
Summer bonfire
Depending on the weather, you might want to set up some sort of bonfire to enjoy. Whether it’s purely for the aesthetic later on in the evening or to be used for a BBQ, it’s up to you! (Psst, we’ve got another blog on throwing the best summer BBQ that may also come in handy here!)
Luau party
Give your guests a holiday experience at home with a tropical garden party theme. From flower leis to tiki torches, there are so many ways to bring a taste of Hawaii to your garden.
For extra style points, try serving some colourful cocktails decorated with fresh fruit and flowers. The more colourful, the better!
Movie night
Nothing beats a trip to the cinema with your friends, so why not bring the cinema experience to your back garden? Set up a projector and a line-up of Hollywood classics, either using a streaming service or your DVD collection. Then, arrange some seats to give your guests the perfect evening entertainment.
You could even serve themed food and drinks to match the theme, or get your friends to dress as their favourite movie characters!
Murder mystery
Murder mysteries are a classic party theme and a great way to entertain your guests throughout the evening. Send your guests details of their characters to play in advance, then piece together a story to see if any of your visitors can crack the case!
Ready to get started? We’ve got a step-by-step guide on hosting a murder mystery party that’ll ensure you nail it!
Seaside getaway
Looking to make the most of a rare spot of sunshine? A seaside party is a great way to enjoy all the fun of the beach, even if you live miles from the coast. Try serving seafood salads and summery drinks, with plenty of underwater theming.
A nautical dress code is also a great way to get your guests involved in the fun of your party – from sailor outfits to casual summer swimwear, and even fancy dress of undersea creatures!
Garden party setup tips
Your garden party setup is crucial for setting the tone. While styling a party space outdoors comes with its challenges, our garden party decoration ideas are sure to be a hit with your guests:
Beautify the table
The dining table is where all the magic will happen at your garden party – or at least all the eating! Creating a table display can help wow your guests and help them get immersed in the party atmosphere, so think about how you can customise your space in between the dishes you’ve laid out.
Use an outdoor tablecloth for an eye-catching backdrop to your food, or buy some materials from a fabric shop to make your own. You can also bring out fancy dinnerware like brightly coloured plates and snack bowls to arrange your food.
Floral arrangements are always a hit too, so try adding some freshly picked flowers to empty glass bottles for some DIY greenery. Our guide on keeping flowers fresh has lots of useful tips for making sure they last. Then, when darkness falls, add some candles and tealights to create ambience for when darkness falls.
Set up plenty of seating
Make sure there are plenty of deck chairs dotted around the garden. You could also create chilled-out seating spots on the grass by piling up decorative cushions and throws. As well as looking like you put in loads of effort, it will encourage conversation among your guests and give them a place to rest throughout the evening.
Invest in some extras
There are plenty of ways you can go the extra mile for your garden party set-up. Whether you’re stringing bunting across your seating areas or hanging balloons for a fun decorative touch, it’s easy to customise your garden on the fly!
Some ambient lighting, such as candles, lanterns, and fairy lights, is also sure to give your party a unique atmosphere. They can help to keep spirits up long after the sun sets.
A chalkboard is a quirky way to welcome guests and is ideal for writing sentimental messages, should you be celebrating a special occasion. We have plenty of cards for every event – from birthdays to anniversaries and much more – so consider handing some of these out at your party to keep the memories alive.
Provide shelter in case of bad weather
A gazebo will protect everyone in the event of rainy showers and can double up as a hiding spot for when the drunken guests get all too much. Use it to shelter a buffet table or decorate it with potted plants to make it look extra stylish. Or, you could make this into your chilled-out seating area with cushions, throws, candles, and an upside-down beer crate that serves as a drinks table.
Garden party food ideas
While being surrounded by friends is half the appeal of a garden party, the other half is the food and drink. Make sure to stock up on booze, such as Pimm’s or a summery punch, and deliver your food promptly – we recommend serving within an hour of your friends arriving.
Looking for menu inspiration? Here are some ideas you can sink your teeth into:
A posh BBQ
Keep it simple with a good old BBQ, but impress your guests by accompanying sizzling meats or veggie options with delicious marinades and garnishes. Make sure you also have some fresh summer puddings on standby.
An irresistible buffet
A buffet is a great get-out clause for allowing you more time to enjoy the party and less time in the kitchen. Put on a delectable spread of food to delight your guests’ taste buds. Decorative fruit and cheese boards are bang on trend, so don’t forget the obligatory finger foods, quiches and pastas. You could even go all out with a doughnut wall.
A fancy tea party
Keep it sophisticated with a classic tea party theme. Neatly cut triangular sandwiches, quintessential scones, and trifles are essential. If you’re really looking to impress, shake up some cocktails and decorate with edible flowers to reflect the surroundings. Oh, and don’t forget the tea (obvs)!
Garden party games
There’s nothing better than some garden party games to keep things lively. They’re a perfect fit for any party theme, but if you’re feeling extra competitive, you could set up a tournament to see which of your guests emerges victorious! Here are just a few of our favourites to get the party started:
- Lawn twister: Replicate Twister by using stencils to mark out circles with paint on your lawn. This will provide great entertainment when you’re drunk – just be careful not to ruin any relationships…
- Giant Jenga: Get your hands on a gigantic version of the traditional Jenga game, ready to be demolished by your tipsy guests. It’s also a great way to break the ice. Set up some chairs nearby for anyone wanting to observe the chaos.
- Slip ‘n’ slide: A slip ‘n’ slide is an epic garden game for when it’s boiling hot, and will create plenty of ‘lol’ moments. You can buy them ready-made, but if you’re looking for a makeshift solution, clear plastic sheeting will do the trick. Spray with soapy water, and then slide away. Always slide safely, though; no one wants a trip to A&E!!
- Limbo: Limbo is a must at a garden party. Any excuse to put on the iconic ‘Limbo Rock’ song and show off how low you can go. Plus, it can provide some pretty hilarious sights after a gin or two.
There you have it – all the ideas you need to pull off a summer soiree like a pro. No one will ever know you’re an amateur! For more ideas, head over to our blog.
And if you’re attending a garden party, don’t forget to pick up one of our wonderful cards for the hosts. Whether they’re moving into a new home or you just want to say thank you for organising, we’ve got card collections for every occasion.
