Hosting a get-together in your garden? Here are a few tips that can make your little soirée fun and festive
First things first
Before throwing a garden party, one essential thing that needs to be looked into is whether your garden is in good shape. “The conditions of the plants and grass make a big difference to the atmosphere of the party,” says Aslam Gafoor, COO at India Grillco-Weber. “The host should ensure there are a lot of green, leafy plants and even bamboo, which adds to the whole outdoorsy feel,” he says.
So before having a party, make sure the lawn is mowed, the bushes are trimmed and the flower beds are well-maintained.
Furniture
The first key element to your garden party is the furniture used. This is important not just for the overall look and feel, but also for the comfort of the guests. “Cane furniture or wrought-iron furniture are great choices as far as outdoor furniture is concerned,” says Shreen Malani of Renaissance Gallerie. “Using plastic can give a bit of a tacky look. Also, small, round tables give a nice and cosy feel and don’t take up much space. But the main idea is to keep furniture as inconspicuous as possible and do your best with what you have.”
For those who don’t have too many cane or wrought-iron furniture pieces, Aslam suggests weatherproof sofas and chairs. “You get a whole variety of garden furniture today that is both comfortable and practical. You don’t have to worry about anything getting spoilt if left outside,” he states.
Lights
“The lighting should be subdued. A good option for this is mashal lights, a few of which can be left around the lawn. They create a very ethereal atmosphere,” says Aslam If you’re looking to keep it simple, there are plenty of options to choose from as far as lighting up the party is concerned. Shreen gives us some handy tips when it comes to lighting. “I think candles and fairy lights are great. They provide good light and look pretty. Candles can be placed strategically or on every table in glass containers so that they do not get blown out.”
Food
The food of course, is the other main focus of any party. While hosting garden parties, it’s best to keep the food simple and easy to serve. This saves you a whole lot of running around.
“A mobile bar is essential for a garden party. It makes the whole process more convenient. Also, as far as food is concerned, I think something like a barbecue is the best option. A barbecue is also an ideal cooking device for both meats and veggies, and makes sense for outdoors,” says Aslam.
Shreen agrees and says, “The food should be laid out so that people can help themselves. So a barbecue works well to maintain the whole casual atmosphere. Throw in a lot of garlic bread and salads and you’re set.” In order to minimise the mess, the food can be served in disposable areca plates, which are eco-friendly and look earthy. This also makes cleaning up post-party a lot easier.
Adding that extra touch
An easy way to add to the look of your party is to use floating candles and flowers in glass bowls. There are plenty of other interesting things you can do to add a bit of your own personal flair to the event.
“For a garden party, a guitarist playing soft music would create the ideal atmosphere,” says Shreen. “As far as the visual imagery goes, table cloths in red and white, or other bright colours give a very festive look. Also, flower arrangements and bud vases look great too. The key to an enjoyable garden party is to keep it casual and informal,” she signs off.
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