Summer Garden Parties
Article by Eddie Prentice
Nothing says summer like gathering your friends for a picnic and Pimms. Below is the perfect recipe for a successful summer bash.
1. Location
Choose a place that has a lot of visual stimulation. Somewhere on water, or in a beautiful botanical garden. Ensure that there is enough seating for everyone, and if not bring large picnic blankets so people are comfortable to kick off their shoes and get comfy in the grass.
2. Guest list
Garden parties can be small and intimate or large and elegant. Design your invitations according to the guest list. If it’s just a small picnic then maybe a funny email would suffice. If it’s a birthday, graduation, or wedding choose something chic in the colours of the flowers.
3. Activities
No matter the size or occasion, there should be something for everyone to do. If the location is more private, music and dancing is always a fun choice. A maypole can be a fun and interactive way to get all of your guests up and moving. It’s a great activity for people of all ages, but if the children aren’t getting involved, try setting up a game of croquet.
4. Food
The best part about summer is that everyone is in the mood for something light. If the space is available, set out a spread of delicious summer salads. Some greens, a pasta salad, and maybe a quiche. If the party is smaller, some cut vegetables, dip, cheese, bread, and grapes can never go wrong.
5. Drinks
A picnic might call for a cooler of cold beer and white wine that can be lightened with a splash of soda water. A large, catered party should serve daytime cocktails such as white wine spritzers, Pimms, mojitos, and beer.
6. Dress
A fancy day party should be attended in white or colour. Never black, never grey, never anything dreary or boring, it is summer after all. If you’re hosting a picnic or backyard barbecue, try not to stress about dress. Guests will arrive in whatever they’re comfortable in.
7. Gift bags
Guests of a summer wedding can go home with centre-pieces, a bag of candied nuts, or perhaps a summer kit complete with lotions and blocks. Gifts aren’t really necessary for a less formal affair, but if you’d like, taking polaroid pictures of everyone throughout the day is fun and makes a great little token for them to take home.
8. In case it rains
Most high-end day events usually take place under a canopy, but really all should if there is any call for rain. The most beautiful brise-soleils and canopies are now available and can be customized to suit any style or event.
Summer is always the best time to have a party. Even if there is no occasion, summer itself is reason enough to celebrate. Chin chin!
About the Author
Fabric Architecture Ltd has been specialising in the design, engineering, manufacture and installation of tensile fabric structures since 1984. With over 5000 installations worldwide, Fabric Architecture are experienced in custom “design-and-build” structures as well as pre-designed / pre-engineered Signature Structures http://www.fabricarchitecture.com/ Learn more about Fabric’s Shade structures
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