Throwing The Ultimate Garden Party - Top Tips For Success

The nights are short and the days are long, that can mean only one thing; summer is here! You could be so excited for the start of summer that you want to throw a party just to mark the season.

Whatever reason you have to throw a party, it won't be complete without these garden party must-haves. From food and drinks to seating, lighting and shelter from the unpredictable British weather, here are some garden party ideas to help you make the most of your outdoor space this summer.

Set the scene with garden party music and entertainment

No great party would be complete without music and a garden party is no exception to this rule. If you don’t already have one, a wireless speaker is a hassle-free way to get your guests into the groove. They're so easy to set up you could even take the time to decorate them to match the theme.

Why not take it that step further and throw some garden party games into the mix? If you have a summerhouse or another garden building, you can also use it as a handy base for your entertainment, keeping speakers and games within easy reach.

Serve garden party food whatever the weather

Every party needs a range of food and drinks, but you already knew that. What makes a garden party special is those extra personal touches. These ensure that your guests not only enjoy eating your delicious food, but might even give it a notable mention on Instagram!

You will definitely want to make sure all of your guests are being catered for, so be sure to ask around for any specific dietary requirements.

The British weather is notoriously unreliable, so you will probably want to minimise the risk of any last-minute panics. No-one wants to be rushing inside with trays of food, so a garden building is an ideal place to set things up. This could be a summerhouse, garden shed or even a luxury garden room, giving you somewhere sheltered close to the party if the weather changes.

Create a garden party drinks station

Cocktails, or mocktails for those who are driving, are an easy and enjoyable way to add a personal touch and sense of fun. Do your research and perhaps a few practice runs, so you can surprise and delight your guests with your newfound skills and a tasty beverage.

A punchbowl or drinks dispenser allows you to create greater quantities from which guests can help themselves – taking some of the pressure off you as host. Cold drinks are also a must; keeping them in a large container filled with ice will make sure they are cool and accessible.

A veranda, summerhouse or garden building positioned close to your entertaining space can also provide a useful place for setting up drinks and keeping everything together.

Choose decorations for your garden party

The decor you choose will be key in creating the right atmosphere. First of all, think about your theme and build everything else around that. Are you having a colour theme? Perhaps the party is in honour of a special guest? Incorporate this into your planning process; the reactions of your guests will make your thoughtfulness and effort certainly worth it.

There is a whole host of DIY ideas for you to decorate and personalise your party. Spare bottles can be transformed into candle holders or miniature lanterns, while bunting, garlands and outdoor decorations can be hung around your entertaining area or garden building to tie everything together.

Make your garden party seating comfortable

Creating a comfortable seating area or selection of picnic blankets will allow your guests – and yourself – to relax and enjoy the warm weather. If possible, set up a shady area for those who don’t like to sit in direct sunlight.

It may be reasonably warm in the sunny daytime, but keep in mind that this is Britain and, if your party runs into the evening, your guests might want blankets.

If you regularly entertain outdoors, you could also consider creating a dedicated seating area around your garden building. Some of our summerhouses, for example, can be designed with a veranda to provide a sheltered spot from which to enjoy the garden.

Add garden party lighting and warmth for the evening

Unfortunately even the best days must come to an end, but don’t let your garden party end early just because of the dark and the cold. As the light fades, fairy lights can brighten up your evening garden. These can be extremely effective in creating a cosy, charming and romantic atmosphere for your guests to enjoy.

To keep your guests warm, you could gather around an appropriate outdoor heat source, creating the perfect end to any garden party.

If you’re planning to use your garden for entertaining throughout the year rather than just in summer, a fully lined and insulated garden room can give you somewhere comfortable to continue enjoying your garden when the temperature drops.

Use a garden building for outdoor entertaining

Want to take your garden party to the next level? A luxury garden building can become a focal point for outdoor entertaining while giving you somewhere sheltered to retreat to when the British weather doesn't cooperate.

Every one of our garden buildings is handcrafted to order, so you can choose the size, layout and appearance that works for your garden. Depending on the building, you can also consider options such as verandas, internal partitions, electrics and heating to create a space that suits the way you want to use it.

Our garden buildings are delivered and installed as part of our all-inclusive service. You can also visit one of our UK show centres to explore the different styles and find inspiration for your own garden.

If you have any questions about creating a garden building for entertaining, please do get in touch with our team.