How To Plan The Perfect Garden Party

There’s nothing like January in Dubai – the sunshine, cool breeze and just the right temperature to keep you wanting to spend more time outdoors. How about a garden party to enjoy the beautiful weather with your favourite people? It’s simple, personal and allows for great conversations in a natural setting. Not to mention, that makes a pleasant change from restaurants and malls. Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect garden party.

Plan it right

Is your garden party marking a special occasion, like a friend’s birthday, for instance? Or is it a casual gathering to catch up with friends and family? If it’s the latter, will you have a theme? Questions like these will help you plan and decide on the specifics of the event like décor ideas, food, music, and almost everything else. Once you decide on these, go ahead and create a garden party checklist to make sure you cover everything.

Walk around your garden to get an idea of how many people you can comfortably fit in the space without overcrowding. Set a date, make a guest list and get the word out.

The perfect staging

While gardens add a picturesque element to gatherings on their own, it’s always nice to dress them up for the occasion. Add a splash of colour with bright bunting and tablecloths. Ribbons strung on tree branches also add a whimsical charm. If you don’t have much garden furniture, throw in some floor pillows and cushions to create a laidback seating area for guests.

DIY Idea: Pick some wildflowers from the garden and place them in vintage milk jugs or teapots for a charming centrepiece.

The F&B of it all

Food and drinks are easily the focal points of any party. There are plenty of garden party menu options you can serve to make your soirée memorable. Since it’s already outdoors, barbeque is the most obvious (and common) choice. It helps that food served on skewers and sticks is easier for guests to enjoy while they walk around and mingle.

For classier gatherings, a banquet-style table set up with trays of finger food, bowls of salads and fruits, one or two drink dispensers and cutlery works perfectly well. For drinks, homemade lemonade is a timeless choice. Iced tea, soft drinks and of course, tea at some point during the party are also great options. There are plenty of garden food ideas to choose from; just make sure they complement your party’s theme.

Throwing a party in your garden lets you be as creative as you want with serveware. Jam jars are a popular choice for serving cooler drinks. Mix-and-match china or bright disposable plates are both good options to consider for serving food.

DIY Idea: Create a quirky cooler by filling up an old planter with ice and placing soft drinks in it to keep them chilled.

Tunes that set the vibe

Good music goes a long way in setting the right mood for your party. Make sure you select tracks in advance to complement the theme and avoid any interruptions. Consider smooth jazz if you are planning a classy, sophisticated soirée. Pop music works well for more casual get-togethers.

As the sun sets…

Make sure you put some thought into lighting for when it starts getting darker. Candles and tiki torches are perfect to add a bit of soft lighting. If you are expecting kids at your party, you might want to keep the flame covered for safety.

One of the best ways to add some light and create a magical ambience is to string some fairy lights on plants, trees, and basically, everything (we love fairy lights)! Battery-operated string lights work best and save you the hassle of locating power outlets in your garden.

DIY Idea: Place flickering faux-flame tea lights in paper lanterns and string them up to add some charm to your décor.

And finally…

Sit back and enjoy the feast in your beautiful garden with your family and friends!

Wondering what else you can do to make the most of this weather? Have a look at our roundup of the best spots for a barbeque in Dubai and top tips to plan the perfect pool party!