If you follow the #cottagecore hashtag on social media, you may know how trendy outdoor gatherings have become. So many people like gathering outdoors in an aesthically pleasing setup to enjoy food and drinks with their best friends. Luxury picnic companies have popped up to do it for you. But if you want to plan your own garden party, it’s totally doable. Trying to find the perfect location, picking out an appropriate menu, and assembling all of the other necessary supplies can be challenging, but I’m sharing tips for hosting a garden party that will impress everyone.
Use snacks that are light and easy to eat
The first thing you’ll want to do when planning a garden party is deciding on the food that will be served. You don’t want anything too heavy, since there won’t be any chairs or tables for guests to sit at during your celebration. Instead of a formal dinner, try serving up some finger foods and snacks instead; they’re easy to eat while standing around in the yard, so nobody has an excuse not to stay!
It’s also easier than having different dishes for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike; cut out all this extra work by going with bite-sized appetizers like cheeses and crackers or crudités. Your only job as hostess will then simply be putting them out for everyone else. You can also try using this lofthouse cookie copycat recipe and bake some cookies or cupcakes for the event. They don’t have to look perfect; in fact, rustic and homemade-looking desserts are often more charming than store-bought ones.
When it comes down to it, you want your party guests to talk about how great the food was at this garden party, not what they thought of a particular cake. You’ll also need non-alcoholic beverages available: sodas, water bottles, sparkling juice boxes – anything that can quench thirst.
Create a playlist of soothing, cheerful or garden-themed music
Now that you’ve got the food sorted, it’s time to think about the tunes for your party. Garden-themed music is a must! This can be anything from classical pieces with nature sounds in the background to modern folk songs that mention flowers and trees. If you’re feeling creative, why not make a playlist of your own? It’ll add an extra personal touch to your party.
And if you really don’t have any ideas, there are plenty of websites and apps available online that will help you find the perfect tracks for your soiree. So just type “garden party music” into your favorite search engine and get ready to be inspired! Once your playlist is ready, all you need to do is plug in your speakers and turn it on when the time comes.
Focus on a light color scheme
When it comes to decorating for a garden party, less is definitely more. You don’t want anything too bright or gaudy; instead, try going with light colors that will complement the natural surroundings. One easy way to achieve this look is by using sheer curtains in your chosen color scheme.
They’ll let plenty of sunlight through while still providing some privacy, and they’re effortless to set up — just hang them from a few trees or poles around your yard. If you’d rather not use fabric, consider painting your walls and/or fences white or another pale shade. This will create an airy feeling and make your outdoor space feel bigger than it actually is.
You can also use nature itself to decorate your party area. Try scattering some petals or leaves on the ground or hanging a few flower baskets from the trees. If you’re feeling really crafty, why not make some paper flowers to hang around? The possibilities are endless!
Find a location with enough shade
Even if you’re using light colors and fabrics for your decorations, the sun can still be a bit harsh during the summer months. So make sure to choose a location for your garden party that has plenty of shade, either from trees or an awning. This will help keep guests cool and comfortable throughout the day.
If there’s no natural shade available, you could always set up some parasols or tents. They might not be as pretty as flowing curtains or white walls, but they’ll do the job in a pinch!
Hosting a garden party is easy and fun; you just need to make sure you have the right food, music, and decorations. With these tips in mind, your next outdoor celebration will be a breeze!
