Having plodded impatiently through the months of spring, it’s finally time to throw open the patio doors and enjoy some summer weather.
Kickstart the season by throwing a party – outdoors of course. This is a great opportunity to get together with friends, family and neighbours, and an incentive to get the garden in order!
The success of any outdoor garden party revolves around planning, so grab a pen and paper and use this handy guide to get things started.
Set the date
Whether your garden party will be casual or to celebrate a special occasion, small and select or open house, setting a date as early as possible means more people will be able to attend.
Keep a record of who you invite, whether by phone, in person, electronically or via a printed card, and update it after each response. It may be worth asking people about food preferences and intolerances at the invite stage, to make catering easier down the line. Finally, don’t forget to set an RSVP date, to leave yourself time for food shopping and preparation.
Preparing the garden
This is the time to cut the lawn, weed the borders, and put away any unnecessary items that are lying around. Discount stores often sell outdoor insect repellent items which you could place strategically to avoid an unwanted invasion.
Organise the catering
Garden parties need food, but there are no rules. If BBQ is your thing, then go for it. Hate cooking? Cheat with ready-made gourmet treats from a top-end supermarket. Make the most of online food shopping and delivery, especially for heavy items such as drinks.
Shelter
British weather is unpredictable, and even in the summer, it could be ultra hot, chilly or wet. Check out local suppliers of temporary shelters, to avoid any weather worries on the big day. For example, if you need marquee hire in Kent, a local company such as http://www.2intents.co.uk/ can deal with the logistics, leaving you free to enjoy the party, and take care of your guests.
Entertainment
If there will be children and young adults on the guest list, they will appreciate oversized games like Garden Jenga. Otherwise, a decent sound system to play your favourite music is enough.
With everything planned and in place, your final job is to relax and enjoy the party.
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