One feature of many gardens is beautiful leafy trees, so these ten easy garden party tips will help you to effortlessly entertain in the warmer months. Summer entertaining already has an easy vibe so it can be a breeze even if food and decor are not your strong suits.
Image courtesy of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Image courtesy of Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

  1. Apart from your guests, the most important element of having a garden party is the ambience. Create cool spaces under trees or brightly coloured market umbrellas so your guests don’t swelter.

 

easy garden party tips

 

  1. Many experts will tell you that food looks better when served on white plates. Use coloured plates underneath or patterned place-mats to add texture if you wish. Don’t have white plates? You’ll find a great range of melamine at your local home-wares store. Yes, melamine. Some melamine looks like the ‘real’ thing especially when mixed on a table with flowers, colour and wine glasses.
  1. Create a tropical flavour with jungle foliage and fruit inspired accessories including tablecloth, napkins, colourful water glasses, water jugs and cushions. Freshly cut pineapple, mangoes and watermelon add to the vibe. I can recommend Australian Beach Abode Living for fabulous outdoor cushions (I love the flamingo ones).

dontcallmepenny.com.au

  1. It may not seem obvious, but included in the easy garden party tips is DON’T water the lawn on the day of your event. Keep the lawn dry to avoid high heels and chair legs sinking into the ground.
Image courtesy of Adrienne deRosa

Image courtesy of Adrienne deRosa

Image courtesy of Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

Image courtesy of Lisa Borgnes Giramonti

dontcallmepenny.com.au

Image courtesy of Cool Gardens Landscaping

10

  1. Keep guests refreshed by serving mint juleps, to add an elegant ‘Southern’ flavour, or delicious iced teas. Easy to make, just boil up jugs of water, add tea bags, add sugar to taste and chill down. Serve with ice and mint sprigs or lemon slices.
  1. Create a friendly kids-zone in a corner of the garden with teepees hand-made using three sticks and  sheets. Provide books, games, and dress-up clothes to keep them amused.
dontcallmepenny.com.au

Image courtesy of Annette Tatum

easy garden party tips

dontcallmepenny.com.au

Image courtesy of Rubyellen Bratcher

  1. I love fairy lights strung across trees and pergolas. Paper lanterns, coloured bottles, or strips of different fabric hung from trees and across dining areas are also effective and fabulous. If you’re keen, hang several different mirrors to a big tree trunk and set up a lolly-bar on an old dresser underneath.
Image courtesy of Finch Photo

Image courtesy of Finch Photo

Image courtesy of Rikki Snyder

Image courtesy of Rikki Snyder

  1. Tiny posies of flowers are best for decorating the dining table, not big bunches, and scatter tea-light candles. Add name tags or messages written on gum leaves, bark or slips of coloured paper.
Image courtesy of Rubyellen Bratcher

Image courtesy of Rubyellen Bratcher

  1. Have blankets, pashminas and wraps handy in case the weather turns cold
Image courtesy of Susie Watson Design

Image courtesy of Susie Watson Design

  1. Need a deliciously wicked dessert? Of course you do. How about ice-cream sandwiches? Irresistible. You could also try injecting a watermelon with vodka and freezing it or serving store-bought macrons with a trio of summer teas.

easy garden party tips

Inspired? Also see the article on Perfect Party Cheats for more great tips.

Do you have easy garden party tips of your own? Please share them with other readers.

 

Don’t Call Me Penny provides professional marketing and public relations services to businesses involved in fashion, beauty, design, house + garden. Please ask how we can help raise the profile of YOUR business. Contact penelope@dontcallmepenny.com.au