One of the great joys of summer is that it gets everyone outside to enjoy the warmer weather. If you are lucky enough to have your own outdoor space, you may be planning to host a garden party or two over the coming months. Even if it is just a simple get together with some close friends and family, there are still a few plans that you need to put in place. So, let us look at some of the top things to consider before hosting your own garden party.
Choose an Area for Guests
You will want to select a certain area of the garden where all the guests can gather, so think about where this will be. If you are planning on redoing your garden before summer or creating a new area, it is worth knowing the difference between a pergola and a patio. Make sure that you have plenty of seating to accommodate all your guests and arrange everything to encourage conversations as much as possible. You may need separate furniture for eating and relaxing if you are intending on serving food at the party which we will go on to talk about in the next section.
Select the Type of Food to Serve
Obviously, the classic outdoor food is having a barbecue. This is a great choice as it allows you to socialize with guests while you are preparing the food, and it is also quite a communal activity. Prepare some other types of food to accompany this such as salad and fresh fruit. When it comes to serving drinks, make sure you have plenty of ice so people can enjoy some nice refreshing beverages. If you are planning to host a particularly big party, it may be worth getting in touch with some caterers.
Have a Backup Plan
Just because you are hosting your party right in the middle of July, it does not necessarily mean that the elements will be kind to you! Make sure you have a backup plan in place, just in case the heavens do decide to open. You may choose to invest in a gazebo for everyone to shelter under if the weather stays warm but it is pouring down with rain. If your numbers are especially high, you may even want to hire a marquee.
Warn the Neighbors
If you are planning to continue your party late into the evening, it may be worth giving your neighbors a heads up to stop you becoming public enemy number one! Better still, consider inviting them to the party itself, then there is no danger that you could have to wrap things up earlier than expected.
Plan the Entertainment
You will want to create a party playlist and set up a speaker system to keep the tunes going. You could also consider investing in some other forms of outdoor entertainment such as badminton, croquet, table tennis or boules. This will certainly ensure that your party is a hit!
