How to Host a Garden Party Just Like This

By Sylvie Messing

Ah, summer. ‘Tis the season for beach days, picnics, and backyard barbecues. For an especially memorable summer gathering, how about upping your game with a quaint garden party? I got to try my hand at planning one to celebrate the launch of Armoire’s brand-new inclusive influencer program, The Suite. My colleagues Ambika and Jen had the brilliant idea of hosting a garden party for our first Suite members. Read on for details on how we did it, what we learned, and how to host a garden party of your own.

Why You Should Definitely Host a Garden Party

Garden parties have a unique charm that sets them apart from other types of gatherings. The outdoor setting provides a beautiful, natural backdrop with flowers, trees, and greenery that enhance the atmosphere without requiring extensive decoration. Guests can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, which can uplift moods and create a more relaxed and enjoyable environment that balances casual comfort with elegance, making them suitable for both informal and formal occasions.

How to Host a Garden Party: The Who, What, When, & Where

By paying attention to these key details, you will host a garden party that’s legendary. Is it too soon to call it an annual event?

Who

As I learned throughout this process, headcount and planning go hand in hand, so it’s important to nail down your guest list with plenty of lead time. Whether you’re catering it yourself or hiring it out, you’ll need to know how many people you’re feeding. 

Oftentimes, less is more. An intimate group can lead to better conversation, connection, and overall experience. This was the case at our dinner for eight. We got to know each other quickly by sharing about ourselves on a deeper, more personal level. Whether your crowd is the spontaneous type or if they need a lot of advance planning, be sure to ask for RSVPs so you can plan accordingly.

What

Like at any party, the food is on center stage. Creating a memorable menu for your garden party involves selecting a variety of delicious and visually appealing dishes. Ideally, the menu should feature fresh, seasonal produce, adding to the garden theme and offering delicious, healthful options. Offer a variety of finger foods, salads, and easy-to-eat dishes. 

Our menu included a delightful mix of courses and flavors. The appetizers included a self-serve “skewers bar” with prosciutto and melon, guacamole cucumber bites, mushroom crostini, and Caprese, followed by plated pasta salad, grilled zucchini, and lime chicken with rice. These dishes not only satisfied diverse palates but also incorporated fresh, seasonal ingredients perfect for a garden setting. 

Account for any allergies or dietary restrictions by asking for this information in the RSVP. When you host a garden party, the final meal planning should happen only after you hear from your guests. While some may have allergies, others may be following specific diets like keto, vegan, or gluten-free. When you send a reminder before the big day, include your detailed menu. It will ease concerns for picky eaters and build anticipation.

For drinks, we offered a bespoke cocktail called “The Suite Escape”, a refreshing mix of tequila, orange juice, pineapple juice, and Aperol. For guests preferring non-alcoholic options, “The Royal Suite”, with hibiscus tea, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and a Tajín rim, was a hit. Lemonade and iced tea are good choices too. Set up a self-serve drink station with glasses, ice, and garnishes so you can focus on mingling rather than bartending. Our caterer created a cute mini-bar with a chalkboard menu as a charming touch.

When

There is no bad time to host a garden party. Different seasons offer unique beauty. Spring and summer showcase vibrant flowers and lush foliage, while autumn brings colorful leaves. Even a winter garden party can bring some welcome relief to a dreary time of year. The most important ingredient of an outdoor garden party is favorable weather conditions. Hosting one in June in Seattle was a bit of a gamble given the potential June Gloom, so we kept a close eye on the forecast in the days leading up to the event. 

In the Pacific Northwest, we can get up to 16 hours of daylight around the summer solstice, so a 6 pm start time for a summer garden party allows for plenty of natural light. Adjust accordingly depending on sunset times, or plan to have some string lights for when the sun goes down. They add an enchanting, charming ambiance for a summer celebration. As the evening approaches, good lighting is essential. Other options include fairy lights, solar lanterns, and candles to create a warm ambiance.

Where

Hosting in your own garden adds a personal touch that can make guests feel welcome and appreciated. Our superstar CEO Ambika was generous enough to offer up her family home for the event, which added a personal touch for our guests. With its beautiful tiered back garden, plenty of space, and even a view of Mount Rainier, it was the perfect place for the occasion. 

Have a Plan B if the weather doesn’t cooperate. With tents, umbrellas, or gazebos, garden parties can adapt to various weather conditions, or plan for a backup venue to ensure the party is on, rain or shine. For our purposes, we decided on the Armoire warehouse as the fallback option. If worse came to worse, we were prepared to bring the garden indoors with plenty of greenery and decor. 

How: Setting the Scene to Host a Garden Party

This is where your garden party comes to life, separating it from the standard cookouts and potlucks. We love those gatherings too, but a garden party is next level.

Dress Code

As a clothing rental company, dress code was high on the list of considerations for the party, especially given that our Suite members get access to thousands of styles from our unlimited closet. Of course we asked attendees to show up in garden party attire such as florals, pastels, and botanicals. Having everyone dressed for the occasion added to the vibe.

Presentation

Gardens can be easily adapted to different themes, from rustic to whimsical, making each garden party unique. Choose a theme to guide your decor and menu, such as a tea party, tropical luau, or rustic picnic. Use outdoor-friendly decorations like string lights, lanterns, bunting, and fresh flowers. Consider a color scheme that complements your garden. 

The setting allows for a mix of seating arrangements, from picnic blankets to elegant outdoor furniture. For larger gatherings, provide ample seating with a mix of chairs, benches, and cushions. Ensure there are shaded areas with umbrellas, canopies, or a gazebo. 

For me, I knew I wanted light pastels and diverse flower arrangements. We went for baby pink and sage green gauze table runners and small accent vases to hold miniature bouquets. Use anything you have on hand for vases—mason jars, water glasses, or empty soup cans, for example. I hand-built the bouquets with stems I bought from my local Trader Joe’s, a cost-effective option for florals on a budget. I loved how each one turned out completely different and had a personal touch. You’d be surprised how well a medley of flowers go together, from hydrangeas to eucalyptus, marigolds, or baby’s breath—anything goes. We topped off the tablescape with faux greenery to make the whole scene appear more lush.

Our caterer supplied us with gold chargers to place under the plates for an extra layer of detail. Paired with gold utensils and classic white plates and napkins, each place setting was elegant and thoughtful. 

The presentation of your food will enhance the overall experience at your party. A buffet-style setup works well. Use platters and serving dishes that coordinate together and complement your decor. Take care in arranging the food, balancing colors and textures to make each dish stand out.

Thoughtfulness

It’s the little things that make a garden party truly special. You might consider offering things to make your guests comfortable at your party, such as insect repellent, sunscreen, or sunglasses. On a hot day, personal misters or fans would be appreciated, while patchwork quilts would be cute and cozy on a cool night.

For a personalized touch, place cards with a heartfelt note are a no-cost way to delight your guests. Party favors can make a big impression too. How about a small candle with scents from your garden? Or trimmings from your best perennials for replanting in their gardens? When it comes to party favors, thoughtfulness outweighs expense.

Music

Music sets the tone for your garden party, creating a lively atmosphere. Curate a playlist to match the vibe of your event, balancing upbeat tunes with softer background music. Position speakers around the garden to ensure a good sound distribution without overwhelming conversation. Gardens also provide an excellent venue for live music or small performances, so now is the time to put a talented friend to work.

You Can’t Host a Garden Party Without Entertaining

Remember, the key to hosting is entertaining. That means you must provide some delightful ways for guests to occupy their time. Think about the shared interests among your guests. As a clothing rental company, we simply had to bring our latest summer arrivals for our Suite members to try. We set up two portable changing rooms with mirrors, allowing guests to play dress up. Love of fashion is what bonds us, so it was a fun way to incorporate our shared interest. 

Outdoor games

The open space is ideal for lawn games and activities that can entertain guests of all ages. Plan some garden games like croquet, badminton, or bocce ball. If hosting families, have a designated area for kids with activities like coloring, bubbles, or a scavenger hunt.

Pics or it didn’t happen

Pics are the new guestbook. A photo station will provide guests with a fun activity and cherished momento. Head of Brand + Loyalty Jen shipped us a whole box of faux greenery that Annie, our Director of Customer Experience, crafted into a beautiful garden wall for our photo station. We hired professional photographers, but you could lean on a family member with a good camera phone. With someone dedicated to snapping away, you’ll get candid, priceless photos of everyone enjoying themselves.

Confessional

A “confessional booth” is a unique and interactive activity for guests. A simple setup with a ring light and selfie stick is all you need. Position it away from the main party to reduce background noise and stage a cute backdrop. This may be a furniture grouping or simply a unique chair surrounded by nature. Encourage guests to record fun messages, share memories, or simply enjoy the novelty of the setup. The ring light ensures everyone looks their best on camera, making the experience even more popular.

Long Live the Garden Party

Garden parties combine the best of nature, aesthetics, and social interaction. By protecting the environment, we can enjoy good weather, beautiful surroundings, and great company for years to come. When you host a garden party, please incorporate eco-friendly practices like using reusable tableware, composting food waste, and supporting local produce growers.

Beautifully printed invites are an elegant touch, but digital invitations are acceptable too. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they’ll save you time and money, plus make it easy for your guests to add the event to their calendars.

Please have recycling bins easily accessible during the party if serving beverages in cans or bottles or if using paper napkins and plates. Or, even better, use a local rental service for event supplies such as glassware, plates, and utensils. Tables, chairs, and other furnishings can be rented too. As you know, we love renting 😉