Winter is well and truly behind us now.
This means that we can open the back door wide and enjoy the sounds, sights and smells of the summer – and there is no better way of doing this then having a garden party.
Unfortunately, the nature of the British weather means that these things cannot be planned too far in advance. However, here are a few quick tips that can save your day if you need to prepare in a rush.
Set the scene
You don’t need an enormous lawn with space for loads of seats and furniture to host a garden party; you can make the most of whatever space you have available.
A small patio, city back yard – or any outdoor space with the right decoration can be made into the perfect garden party setting. Declutter the garden as much as you can by stacking unused pots, sweeping patios and trimming back overgrown vegetation.
Make the most of your garden by opting for fragrant and colourful plants and keep the same few shades running through the flowers, the table decorations and even your clothes if you wish.
Like any good party planner you should expect it to rain. If you have the space go for a canopy, otherwise have an alternative room where guests can party inside. Large windows and patio doors will help keep the vibe going.
Pay attention to the details
As with any type of party, it’s the little things that can make or break the night. So at the start of the 24 hours leading up to your bash make a list of the must-haves that you want to wow your guests with.
These do not need to be budget-blowing and can be as simple as remembering to freeze some ice cubes, sort out extension leads and make your playlist.
There’s bound to be some glamorous female guest who shows up in high heels, so why not take the initiative and provide them with stiletto protectors? These little plastic mouldings can be popped onto their shoes to save their blushes and your lawn.
Get a BBQ
The most important thing about your garden party is that your guests have a fabulous and memorable time, with the day and night becoming cherished for a long time to come.
One shortcut to their hearts and minds is via their stomach and there is no better summer garden food than the barbecue.
The smell of sizzling steaks and roasted vegetables is made all the more appealing by the char-grill sensation. So you could opt for a Weber Charcoal BBQ, which will make it easy to create food that will become the benchmark for all your guests’ future garden parties.
These are hardy pieces of kit that are stylish enough to double as garden furniture and even though you will be buying a Weber Charcoal BBQ with limited time to spare, their build quality means that you can call on their services for years to come.