With tea on tap, crust-free cucumber sandwiches and victoria sponge cake, the Queen holds annual garden parties come rain or shine; and this year the boho set’s own queen, Liv Tyler, hosted one in the Cotswolds. Snaps of the event revealed Kate Moss posing outside a tepee and Sadie Frost on a bouncy castle, but whatever your preferred party style, and whoever is on the guest list, here are a few things to consider before you throw a bash in the great outdoors.
Theme and decor
“People love to get into the spirit of a party, so a theme is always a great start,” says Amy Croxton, events manager at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, in North Yorkshire, who has hosted family picnics, mini music festivals and movie nights for thousands of people. “A theme, either for the food or clothes, unites an event and is a great ice-breaker.”
Bunting immediately makes things jolly, and the social-media mood board Pinterest is great for DIY decoration ideas and creative hacks. We’ll also be putting a series of summer party posts on Home’s Instagram feed (@sundaytimeshome) to help you find the perfect look.
“Use various types of lighting to set the mood and extend the time you’re able to use your outdoor space,” suggests Peter Burks, who runs the online garden centre potterandrest.co.uk. “Opt for large candlelit lanterns, a few welcoming tea lights and solar lights.” These can also be used to illuminate pathways, tables and garden features. Hanging lanterns can be fashioned out of garden wire.
Formal or informal?
A quarter of Brits like to keep things casual by serving food to eat standing up or on the lap, according to a study on entertaining conducted by Denby Pottery. Even if that’s how you like to do it, you’ll still need to make sure there’s enough proper seating. Not everyone will want — or be able — to lounge on a picnic blanket. If al fresco nibbles are to be presented on a table, adopt a banquet approach, with large bowls and platters of food, as well as stacks of cutlery so people can help themselves.
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The Denby study also found that only one in four of us uses matching tableware when entertaining, so don’t worry about mismatched cutlery or plates. “Products inspired by a natural aesthetic, such as handcrafted ceramics, work really well for outdoor entertaining,” says Nicola Wilson, senior designer at the pottery.
Don’t want to wash up? As long as it can be recycled, there’s no shame in disposable. Try Littlecherry. co.uk, which specialises in eco-friendly party supplies. For the finishing touches, Wilson recommends mixing coloured glass, woven baskets, hand-finished wooden serving boards and unbleached napkins and linen. Add some scent to the table with potted herbs as centrepieces, or arrange cuttings from fragrant plants such as rosemary or lavender.
The weather
Summer in Britain is no guarantee of blue skies or clear, starry nights. “I would always try to embrace the weather, get your guests engaged in the fun and put out themed umbrellas or a small gazebo,” Croxton says. This will provide extra shade if it’s sunny — in which case be sure to cover metal surfaces such as table tops and garden furniture.
Croxton’s top tip for summer entertaining? Buy enough bags of ice. “They sell out fast,” she warns.
Pests and pets
The jury is out on how effective citronella candles are at repelling insects, but they’re worth a try if you like the smell. Dog owners should double-check for mess and fill in any holes their pooch may have dug in the lawn, so people won’t twist their ankles. On the subject of mess, you can reduce the amount of mud guests bring indoors by putting down a mat to encourage them to wipe their feet — and consider laying a runner over the carpet on the route to the loo.
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Prep the plants
If you have time and want to go all out, plant night-scented flowers such as phlox, honeysuckle or jasmine to add aromatic fragrances to your soirée. A few weeks beforehand, start cutting the grass half an inch longer than usual, so it acts as its own cushioning.
“Ensuring the garden is ready for events takes months of planning,” Croxton says. “We make sure that there is enough drainage, and the grass is prepped by cutting and applying sand, in case of wet weather leading up to the event. Good grass always bounces back, even if it browns under tents or furniture, so don’t panic the day after the event. As soon as you can, give the lawn a good feed and water, which will ensure it is party-ready again in no time.”
Last-minute grooming should include mulching flower beds to cover up weeds, using a strimmer to neaten edges, hosing down paving with a pressure washer, wiping the exteriors of containers, raking gravel, weeding gaps between paving slabs, sweeping paths, cleaning garden furniture and planting up a few tubs for a pop of colour.
Clearing up
”We tend to leave the crisp crumbs for the birds,” Croxton says. And relax... https://www.goodhousekeeping.co.uk/institute/household-advice