Begin your party planning by assessing exactly what you already have: the particular nature of your flowers or vegetables, any special architecture – a gazebo, shack, wicker furniture, fountain, etc and use these pieces for inspiration. Keep your guest list relative to the size of your space, and get ready to relax in your gorgeous garden!
Décor and Table Settings
Use the natural colors found in your garden as your party palate. Bring your flowers to the forefront and keep tablecloths and napkins in neutral colors like off-white and cream. You don’t want bright, flashy pieces to overshadow the beauty of the colors in your garden. If you don’t have an overabundance of colorful flowers, you can add a few small potted plants, or if it’s a vegetable garden, you might scatter some already picked brightly colored veggies, as a centerpiece. Choose dinnerware that has an elegant touch. Sort through what you’ve got – now is the time to pull out the Noritake colorware or other special dishes. Polish them up if need be, and allow them to glimmer in the summer sun. Other centerpiece ideas besides potted plants or arranged vegetables: Floating flower candles, a fruit bouquet, painted birdhouses, or flower vases.
Drinks
Garden parties are ideal for light, refreshing summer beverages. Keep it simple with a few favorites: lemonade, flavored iced tea, and a big pitcher of filtered ice water with cucumber slices or lemon. For your iced tea, you might try peach or raspberry flavors, or add your own frozen strawberries or blueberries. You might also set out a variety of hot herbal teas and pretty teacups, if the weather isn’t sweltering.
Menu
Keep the menu light, crisp, and delicious with an assortment of salads, to start. Set out a colorful fruit salad and vegetable tray with hummus (be sure to use anything fresh from your garden!) and ask your guests to bring their favorite party salads to the table. Prepare a long loaf of fresh crusty bread and a little bowl of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh herbs for dunking. Cheese and cracker plates, tuna salad croissant sandwiches, and chicken salad pitas are also great ideas.
Music
Music sets the tone for any party, and your garden party is no exception. Decide the vibe you want to create – perhaps you want classical music wafting through the garden to create an elegant afternoon, a sultry samba, sounds of nature, or jazz standards, all of which say something different, entirely.
Activities
There are so many options, depending on the size and feel of your group. For an eight lady tea party you might have a craft, or provide each guest with a small pot, some soil, and seeds for potting. For a young couples or family garden party you might set out lawn games, water toys, and badminton net if there is room. Above all, kick back, relax, enjoy the day, and beauty of your garden!
by Ann Martin – Guest Blogger on Jack’s Garden Store
Good dispatch and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you on your information.