8 Garden Party Ideas To Transform Your Terrace
With warmer weather finally upon us, there is no better time to host an alfresco summer party for family and friends. Think sun-drenched afternoons in the garden with delightful tablescapes, exquisite food, delicate cocktails and cool summer tunes wafting through the air. But where should the meticulous organising begin? Que London-based party planners, Sugar and Rind, take the hassle out of the organising by allowing clients to ‘Build a party’. Using the chic new planning tool, clients will be able to add waiters, food, drink, décor and more to any order. Professional party planning expert Philly Mackinnon, founder of event website Sugar & Rind, is an events pro with 20+ years’ experience putting on parties and events for the likes of VICE Media, The FA and EE. Below, Philly is on hand to provide expert tips on how to host the perfect soiree in style.
Create a garden room
Now that we can socialise with 30 guests outside, and more when restrictions are lifted on June 21, are you making the most of your outdoor space? One activity that’s lovely to do in summer is to create a ‘garden room’. You can do this by using a covering, such as a stretch tent. It doesn’t have to be big, but it’s a really effective way of maximising your garden space. It also looks uber-chic and is great for the British weather. The free-flowing design and flexibility of a stretch tent means that suddenly you’ve created an extra room in your home that people haven’t seen before. The sides can also be pulled down if it rains.
Add strategic lighting
When the sun goes down, the party really gets started, so make sure you get the lighting right. Festoon lights are an ideal way to instantly add a party feel to your garden soiree and, best of all, you can keep them up all year round. If you have a tree in your garden, wrap fairy lights around it. You’ll be amazed at how effective in setting a scene this simple trick is.
Ditch formal seating
Instantly update your outdoor space by playing around with different styles of seating. Ditch the traditional sit down and have lots of lovely informal seating arrangements instead. Think comfy seats, low coffee tables, cushions, outdoor rugs, and fold away chairs so you can create extra space later on when it’s time to hit the dancefloor.
Create different quarters
This will depend on how big your garden is, but if you have space, consider creating different party areas. As guests arrive, direct them to the cocktail area in the garden, with ready-made tipples they can pick up and go with. You could also add an outdoor bar area, which acts as a focal point for guests to gather around throughout the night. Once people have eaten and become more relaxed, there needs to be a designated chill out area. This could be as simple as a few big cushions with blankets as the temperature starts to drop. If you’re going all out, you could add a firepit with low benches to create a cosy corner.
Have a dine anywhere approach
An easy way to satiate guests, especially in the garden, is to order a selection of food platters rather than having a sit down meal. Luxury grazing platters would be an ideal selection and hosts can select a number of ensembles from antipasti and tapas to meze, cheese and dessert. Bowl food - small dishes such as risotto, curry or chilli - is another great ‘dine anywhere’ addition. Both options will fill your guests up and the ‘perch anywhere option’ gives them a much-needed chance to catch up with friends and family they might not have seen in over a year.
Bring the wow factor
If you have the budget, go all out and bring the wow factor to your party with some added extras to surprise your guests. This could be hiring a mixologist to serve curated cocktails or having a flair bartender put on a show - which is a fabulous opener for any party. You could also hire a live performer to play alongside your DJ, such as a percussionist, saxophonist or violinist, to add a touch of class to your soiree.
Check your guest list
Once restrictions are fully lifted, pay close attention to your number of guests in relation to the space you are using. This is crucial and often overlooked, but is vital for the vibe of any party. There is nothing worse than a huge room and not enough people in it. It’s much better to be crowded, even if it’s a bit hectic to begin with because it will always thin out as the night goes on.
Add a little personalisation
A little personalisation can go a long way at any intimate gathering: think pretty flower walls, gift bags and name cards on tables. My go-to flower decor options have to be the floral frames by Darling It’s Yours. The brand, owned by blogger, Eltoria, is new on the scene (established in 2018) and features some fabulous decor options for weddings and other special occasions. Curate your own gift boxes and make people feel special with a welcome/partying gift. Nothing says ‘I care about you’ more than a touch of personalisation!
Sugar & Rind is the UK’s first event website where you can book everything you need for a party all in one place, from food and drink to decorations and entertainment. There’s no dealing with separate suppliers. For the same price and zero hassle, Sugar & Rind do all the hard work for you. Use the Sugar & Rind ‘Party Builder’ tool to pick what elements you want for your dream party. Choose from stunning bars, beautiful food platters, private chefs, cocktail packages complete with mixologists and flair bartenders, and top London DJs to spin the decks. Add it all to your basket, check out, and Sugar & Rind will manage your booking and deliver everything to your door or venue on the allotted day – even the waiters if you need them (although they don’t come parcel wrapped!).
All Sugar & Rind need is two weeks’ notice to guarantee the booking. When the party is over, they come and pick up anything you’ve rented and return it, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
For more information on Sugar & Rind or to book a party, visit www.sugarandrind.com
