Summer has got us firmly in its clutches, bestowing its gift of golden light and opportunity on us, as we settle in for the hottest summer on record. The children are outside playing, buckets and spades, as the ice cream van chugs along the rickety roads, it feels like magic. And the adults are just as caught up in the headiness of the moment, mojitos on the rocks, wine glasses a’swilling, laughter carrying on until the throes of the night, a Midsummer Nights Dream. The mood is right and the playlist is set as you navigate your way through navigating the perfect summer garden party. You know it will be one to remember; fairy lights twinkling in moonlight gardens, smartphones held high to capture the action. There is a meticulously crafted dinner menu and drinks with ice and mint, coursing down thirsty throats. And when at least the night comes to an end, a plan is set in motion, each year a summer garden party more grander than the next, high profile celebrity guests. Who am I kidding, is simplicity best? Anxious to be the best you create a fail safe formula, rain or shine, your summer garden party will never fail to win guests over. Want to know my summer garden party hosting secrets? Ask Deidre.
From ensuring that you have a killer playlist to get your guests in the mood to hiring or choosing to buy garden tents for parties, here are some tips that will hope you host the perfect summer garden party. The only question is what kind of Summer Garden Party planner are you?
Location, Location, Location! Where Will You Be Having Your Summer Garden Party?
This might seem like a bit of an obvious point to make but not everyone will be ‘hosting’ a summer garden party in their own garden. Think about it, the majority of us have a house or flat with the delightful view of stone cobbled patios in a soulless shade of grey that is as far removed from a tranquil garden space as can be. Which is why if you need to find a ‘venue’ to host your garden party, you should probably think about a few major details first. Firstly if its just a chinwag and a bit of grub type of affair, then if you have a garden of a medium size this will be absolutely fine for fun summer garden party gatherings. But if your idea of small and intimate is inviting ‘300 of your closest friends’ then chances are your garden is just not going to cut it.
You could try and hire an open green space like a ‘cricket pitch’, especially if you look for charity run facilities across the UK, where some sport fields will let you use their facilities for free, if you make a donation to their charity or agree to buy drinks at the bar. Just be sure to make sure that you check out whether the location has a licence because you certainly don’t want to be kicked out or fined for breaking the rules, even if you didn’t realize that you were doing so.
Make Sure That You Cater To Your Guests Dietary RequirementsÂ
Naturally as a vegetarian who has allergies, it royally pees me off when I tell people about my requirements over and over again and they still continue to serve me food that I cannot eat without second thought. And that’s not me being fussy either, you wouldn’t tell someone with an allergy to nuts to simply ‘pick it out’ as though that will not make you sick would you? But rants aside, this is why it is so imperative that you cater to your guests dietary requirements because not only does it show that you are taking their needs into consideration and are mindful of their requirements but it shows that you have top notch hosting skills. After all ensuring that everyone’s dietary requirements are met is incredibly difficult which is why consulting with guests in advance and getting a caterer for the summer garden party will make sure that everyone is looked after. And make sure you cater to all diets, whether that be gluten free, coeliac, vegetarian, vegan or anything else, make sure that options are delicious and are more exciting than just a bag of lettuce. Vegetarians like to eat unhealthy stuff too!
Alternatively you could ask your guests to bring their own food, if they would like to, but that might defeat the objective of throwing a party. That being said, if they want to bring a bottle of wine or some mixers that might be really helpful for the drinks segment of the party, which could be a great idea to get the party started.
Even In The Midst Of Summer Prepare For Any Weather Scenario
It goes without saying that if you live in the UK, chances are one day it can be snowing and the next minute it can be 35 degrees, so you never know when the weather is going to flip out. Because lets face it, despite knowing how tumultuous our weather can be, we are still never prepared for the changes in the weather, which is why if you are hosting a summer garden party, you should always prepare for any weather scenario. Whether that be torrential rain or snow in the middle of summer, your best bet is hiring or buying a garden tent that can help keep guests shielded from the rain. Or even if it is warm, the summer garden party tent will keep the guests cool during the heat. It might be a great place for guests to recharge as well, if you place chairs in the tent, as well as keeping food tables inside so that they are kept away from the flies that keep trying to steal your food.
Turn Up The Music. Whats On Your Playlist?
Everyone knows that the key to a good party is a killer playlist, but how can you please people who clearly have different tastes in music? The answer is that you can’t please everyone but you can definitely cut the costs of hiring a DJ by creating the music playlist yourself, taking care to gauge the overall preferences of the crowd attending and being sure to put in any special requests from the guests to show that you are accommodating to their tastes. Remember this party is not just about what you like but also your guests, so the key is to make them happy first and foremost before anything else. You can Spotify to create streaming playlists but I personally like to use Youtube, as that way if someone has a particular song that they would really like played then you can just type it in for them. And better news yet, alongside the music that you play why not think of getting a karaoke machine so that all the guests can croon along and have a right laugh?
Even if you think you sound like a cat screaming underwater then no worries, chances are that you all sound terrible and will have plenty of time to laugh about it later. The main thing is just joining in and having as much fun as possible whilst hosting a kickass summer garden party. Now how’s that for kicks?
What Are Your Tips For Hosting A Killer Summer Garden Party?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post.
Love a good Summer garden party!