Stylish Garden Party
Throwing a stylish garden party is one of the great joys of summer. Here are some ideas for simple, elegant entertaining that will allow you to relax and enjoy your time with friends, family and neighbors.
My over-riding tip for all entertaining - whatever the occasion - is to make sure that everything can be done before your guests arrive. Then you can be free enjoy the party and spend quality time with your guests and minimal distractions.
I picked a summery palate of blue and white. I used very drapey tablecloths falling to the floor and pulled straight out of the dryer so they retain that lovely linen-y texture. On the round table is the Sky Blue 108" Round Linen Tablecloth and on the rectangular tablecloth is the Lovebirds Tablecloth 66"x96" layered over Solid Color White Linen Tablecloths. The casualness looked perfect in the garden (and you can hide an array of supplies under the tables!)
Lawn games are always a great idea too - croquet, bocce, corn hole, badminton.
For flowers I used three colors of Stock flowers because their English cottage garden aesthetic and vibrant colors worked perfectly for this event. I added a little variation and whimsy with sprigs of Bupleurum.
A house cocktail is always a good idea so you can make a pitcher ahead of time. A great option is a refreshing jug of Pimm's - the official drink of the British summer! The drink is named for James Pimm, a farmer's son who owned an oyster bar in 19th-century London. He created and offered his guests this secret mix of gin, quinine, and a spice blend as a tonic to aid digestion.
You can buy the Pimm's liquer at most specialty liquor stores. Add one part Pimm's liquer to three parts 7-Up or ginger ale. Add plenty of ice and add pieces of summer fruits - apple, strawberry, lemon, orange and some sprigs of fresh mint. These fruit pieces both flavor the cocktail and also taste delicious infused with the Pimm's.
Set up a drinks table with plenty of glasses suitable for all the drinks you are serving and a tub full of ice where guests can serve themselves wine, beer, water and sodas. A metal tub is more elegant than a plastic one, but make sure it is water-tight!
If you invite guests for mid-afternoon, there is less pressure to lay on a full lunch or dinner! But always have a few easy snacks (chips, cheese, crackers, nuts) if everyone's having a good time and wants to linger longer!
Finger sandwiches are a great option and are a perfect elegant afternoon tea snack. Pick any filling - smoked salmon or cucumber and cream cheese are classics but pick whatever you will enjoy. Accompany with a pile of linen cocktail napkins.
Another of my go-to appetizers is melba toast with paté topped with redcurrant jelly and micro-greens. Looks and tastes great!
An ultra-simple, tasty and healthy vegan snack is a cucumber sliced medium thick with some hummus on top.
Another good option is endives with beets, goat cheese and fresh herbs.
All the planning in the world can't control the weather, so after a 30 minute thunder storm, the tables looked a little bedraggled, but linen dries very quickly, especially in the sun, so don't sweat it, pour another drink and enjoy the afternoon!
I always love to see you enjoying your linens, so be sure to send or post photos #huddleson of your own stylish garden party. Have a lovely summer!
My over-riding tip for all entertaining - whatever the occasion - is to make sure that everything can be done before your guests arrive. Then you can be free enjoy the party and spend quality time with your guests and minimal distractions.
I picked a summery palate of blue and white. I used very drapey tablecloths falling to the floor and pulled straight out of the dryer so they retain that lovely linen-y texture. On the round table is the Sky Blue 108" Round Linen Tablecloth and on the rectangular tablecloth is the Lovebirds Tablecloth 66"x96" layered over Solid Color White Linen Tablecloths. The casualness looked perfect in the garden (and you can hide an array of supplies under the tables!)
Lawn games are always a great idea too - croquet, bocce, corn hole, badminton.
For flowers I used three colors of Stock flowers because their English cottage garden aesthetic and vibrant colors worked perfectly for this event. I added a little variation and whimsy with sprigs of Bupleurum.
A house cocktail is always a good idea so you can make a pitcher ahead of time. A great option is a refreshing jug of Pimm's - the official drink of the British summer! The drink is named for James Pimm, a farmer's son who owned an oyster bar in 19th-century London. He created and offered his guests this secret mix of gin, quinine, and a spice blend as a tonic to aid digestion.
You can buy the Pimm's liquer at most specialty liquor stores. Add one part Pimm's liquer to three parts 7-Up or ginger ale. Add plenty of ice and add pieces of summer fruits - apple, strawberry, lemon, orange and some sprigs of fresh mint. These fruit pieces both flavor the cocktail and also taste delicious infused with the Pimm's.
Set up a drinks table with plenty of glasses suitable for all the drinks you are serving and a tub full of ice where guests can serve themselves wine, beer, water and sodas. A metal tub is more elegant than a plastic one, but make sure it is water-tight!
If you invite guests for mid-afternoon, there is less pressure to lay on a full lunch or dinner! But always have a few easy snacks (chips, cheese, crackers, nuts) if everyone's having a good time and wants to linger longer!
Finger sandwiches are a great option and are a perfect elegant afternoon tea snack. Pick any filling - smoked salmon or cucumber and cream cheese are classics but pick whatever you will enjoy. Accompany with a pile of linen cocktail napkins.
Another of my go-to appetizers is melba toast with paté topped with redcurrant jelly and micro-greens. Looks and tastes great!
An ultra-simple, tasty and healthy vegan snack is a cucumber sliced medium thick with some hummus on top.
Another good option is endives with beets, goat cheese and fresh herbs.
All the planning in the world can't control the weather, so after a 30 minute thunder storm, the tables looked a little bedraggled, but linen dries very quickly, especially in the sun, so don't sweat it, pour another drink and enjoy the afternoon!
I always love to see you enjoying your linens, so be sure to send or post photos #huddleson of your own stylish garden party. Have a lovely summer!