Garden parties offer an unforgettable way to gather family and friends to celebrate. But there’s a whole lot more to hosting the perfect event than simply inviting a few friends into your back garden. In fact, creating the perfect garden party can prove quite the challenge.
At Wills, we love helping people turn their garden gathering into a garden party to remember. In fact, garden party marquee hire offers the perfect way to transform any lawn into a spectacular venue that will wow your guests. But that’s not all you need to throw the perfect party.
In this blog, we’ve put together 10 unbeatable garden party ideas – from garden marquee hire to creative lighting – that will make your next event unforgettable.
1. Choose the perfect garden marquee
Garden party marquee hire is the perfect way to impress your guests and turn your outdoor space into a beautiful, bespoke venue. But to truly make your event unforgettable, it’s important to get both the marquee size and purpose spot on.
For example, if you’re hosting 300 friends and family for your wedding, including a sit-down meal, you may want an 18 × 32 m marquee. But if you’re hosting 30 close family members for a birthday brunch, you may be looking at a 7 × 18 m.
To get your garden party marquee just right, you need to understand the space you have to work with, how many guests you’re hosting and what you need from your garden party marquee hire.
2. Illuminate your garden and marquee in style
As the shadows grow longer and the sun sets, you’ll need lighting that will both transform your daytime gathering into an evening celebration and add that all-important ambience.
Illuminate the inside of your marquee with fairy lights to create the perfect warm glow by which you can carry on the celebrations well into the evening. Festoon lights can form a guiding path outside, while flying lights will help create that picturesque silhouette.
Use lighting to define spaces and zones throughout your event – and don’t forget just how important a little light is.
3. Style your space
If you’re going to create a truly unforgettable event, then you’re going to need to style your space. But it doesn’t have to be hard.
When you’re styling your space, try deciding on a theme that can run through your whole garden party. This could be seasonal – for example, bright colours and wildflower arrangements for the summer months, or calmer tones and earthy floral décor for the autumnal days – or it could be sustainability focused for an eco-conscious happy couple.
Whatever theme you choose for your garden party, make sure it’s true to you. It is, after all, your celebration.
4. Set the mood with music
Every great garden party needs the right soundtrack, and you can never underestimate the power of music.
Above all, it’s important to match the entertainment to the event. Whether it’s a live acoustic duo playing under the sailcloth canopy or a curated playlist through hidden speakers, music will help bring your party to life – but only if it matches the ambience of the event.
Don’t be afraid to vary the music throughout the event as a fun-filled day turns into an unforgettable evening.
5. Offer unforgettable food
Food is at the heart of any celebration, and a garden party is no different. But a garden party offers more opportunities for culinary creativity than most events.
Whether you’re serving up a mezze of street food trucks for a festival-style event or an elegant seated dinner for a black-tie occasion, garden party marquee hire provides the perfect, versatile venue to create your own foodie haven.
Whatever you do, make sure there’s enough to go around. If guests are with you all day, offer food at regular intervals to keep everyone happy.
6. Dazzle your guests with drinks
You may have fed your guests, but you’ll need to water them too. And no garden party is complete without a well-stocked bar to keep the conversation flowing.
Whether you’re offering a custom cocktail experience at a corporate celebration or creating a quiet retreat with a glass of wine, make sure you’re serving something special. Above all, use your bar as a focal point – a place where guests can gather, connect and spark new conversations.
7. Curate your space
While a garden party offers the perfect setting for a celebration, it’s vital to use your space wisely. That’s why, at Wills, we understand just how important it is to curate your surroundings with care.
Help your guests unwind by creating relaxed conversation zones, or form intimate focal points with fire bowls and other alfresco additions. By curating your space, you’re also curating their experience.
8. Bring the fun with garden games
While most guests will be deep in conversation with old and new friends, it’s always a good idea to provide a welcome distraction and a little friendly competition.
Lawn games offer the perfect way to keep your guests entertained throughout the afternoon and well into the night. Classics like croquet add a touch of class to a black-tie dinner, while giant Jenga promises fun for all ages.
Don’t forget, games should never be compulsory. While some guests will relish a bit of competition, others will have an equally unforgettable time simply enjoying great conversation.
9. Weatherproof your party
Come rain or shine, you’ll want your garden party to go ahead. And so, with the British weather always on hand, it’s vital that you weatherproof your outdoor event.
Garden party marquee hire offers the perfect solution to the unpredictable elements – but you’ll also want to consider a few other weatherproofing measures. Consider hard flooring to stabilise any rain-soaked ground, ventilate your marquee when the sun warms up, or take advantage of a complete Wills do service and let us take care of the weatherproofing. Get your weatherproofing right and the show will go on.
10. End the night on a high
While many choose to let the embers of their garden party die down and dwindle, it’s never too late to make an unforgettable statement.
Consider closing your garden party with something special – perhaps lighting up the evening sky with fireworks or finishing with one final song to sing out your big day. Whatever you do, make an event out of the ending and make it unforgettable.
Make your garden party unforgettable
So, what are you waiting for? Now you have 10 great garden party ideas, it’s up to you to create that unbeatable and unforgettable event.
Always remember that careful planning is the difference between a great event and a truly spectacular one – it’s your preparation that will elevate your celebration.
If you need help realising your garden party dreams or any advice on how garden marquee hire can help transform your celebration, we’re here to help. Simply browse our collection of marquees to find the right space for you – or get in touch today.
