Here at Lazy Susan, we love a good party. And that party is even better if it is out in the garden with the sun shining.
So, the team has compiled some of our favourite types of garden party to help make you the host with the most at your next outdoor soirée.
For us, a good garden party is all about good food, refreshing drinks, sunshine and fun. But most importantly, they’ve got to be informal, laid back and enjoyable for both guest and host.
Our lives are busy enough but garden parties are the perfect stress-free way to bring people together and unwind.
Our top 10 types of garden party
We’ve got 10 great garden party ideas to help you celebrate a big day or just have friends and family over for a summertime get-together.
1. Garden Baby Shower
Hosting a garden baby shower is the perfect way to celebrate a new addition to the family.
It allows all your guests, including the mum-to-be to get some fresh air and sun, and it also provides you with the opportunity to do a host of ideas, styling and themes that you couldn’t do inside.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, then Perla Cespedes’ Outdoor Baby Shower Ideas Pinterest board is a great place to start.
2. Garden Pizza Party
Here at Lazy Susan, we hosted our own outdoor pizza party on our HQ patio last summer and the team shared their favourite Pizza Recipes.
It gave us all the perfect opportunity to test drive our Cozze Pizza Ovens, and to experiment with cooking a variety of different bases and toppings.
Pizza is the perfect party food; great for sharing and your guests can get involved and make their own to suit their tastes.
We promise, if you make your next garden party a pizza party, we guarantee your family and friends will have a blast!
3. Garden Wedding Party
Much like a baby shower, a summer garden wedding is a great way to celebrate your big day, and an opportunity to bring a more natural and laid-back feel to the reception without the cost of hiring a venue.
According to Stylist.co.uk, small garden weddings are trending, and their how to plan a small garden wedding article speaks to industry experts on the pros of a garden wedding and how to plan one yourself.
4. Garden Hen Party
A garden hen party is a great way to celebrate with the bride-to-be. You could all enjoy a few al-fresco cocktails, get glammed up before you head out or, if you don't want to go out out, it's a sophisticated, affordable and easy way to set up a more laidback get-together.
If you're looking to organise a summer hen party, then as the team at Glamhatters says; ”think green fields, bunting, fizz in super-kitsch, pink, plastic glasses, ditsy-print napkins, vintage-inspired sunglasses, a crafty activity and pretty ruffly umbrellas”.
5. Garden Dinner Party
Our garden tables are designed for outdoor dining but that doesn’t have to mean just barbecue or party nibbles.
A sophisticated dinner party cooked in the kitchen can come outside to play when the weather is fine, and we think our tables look better than any indoor dining table when dressed up and ready to entertain.
What better way is there to spend a warm summer evening than enjoying delicious food and drinks on your sun-filled patio surrounded by friends and family?
Of course, if it is elegance and sophistication you want, then you need to go above and beyond, so think about the garden table setting, decor and ambience.
6. Garden BBQ Party
If a more formal-style meal and setting isn’t for you, then of course you can keep it casual with a family BBQ.
However, just because the food and setting are a little laid back, it doesn’t mean you can’t also make it special for your guests.
If you want to go beyond the basics, then the team at the Great British BBQ have some fab advice on how to host an amazing garden BBQ party, whilst our top outdoor cooking trends for summer 2023 will help you take your grilling to the next level.
7. Garden Cocktail Party
Why not raise a glass (or two), let your guests relax on your patio surrounded by summer blooms, and host a garden cocktail party?
For us, the key to the perfect one is simple party food, lots of flowers, shade from the sun, a little music, and, most importantly, classic summer cocktails.
If you need to brush up on your mixology, then the Bartender at Large has 3 classic “patio pounders” that are cool and refreshing in the video below:
8. Garden Afternoon Tea Party
As long as the sun is shining, then we think you can host a garden afternoon tea party. It could be to celebrate a birthday, baby shower, wedding anniversary, or for no other reason than getting a few friends or family members over for a catch-up.
Quintessentially British, afternoon tea is the perfect opportunity to get your Lazy Susan garden table dressed up and bring out a stand packed with delicious treats.
Keep it classic, on the bottom tier you want crustless finger sandwiches filled with egg salad and watercress or cucumber and cream cheese. On the top tiers, serve up a selection of biscuits, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam.
If you need any help with the planning, then the Better Homes & Gardens team have asked a number of leading designers to share their tips for hosting a garden tea party.
9. Garden Picnic Party
If you want to make your afternoon tea a little more laid back, then move it from the garden table, off the patio and onto a picnic blanket on the lawn.
Throw down a load of garden cushions for comfort, and pack up a hamper with classic picnic treats.
If you need a little inspiration, then the video below from the Calm Cozy Cooking crew shows you how to make it fun, pretty, and delicious:
10. Garden Kid's Party
Of course, we can’t forget the kids or grandkids, and a garden kid's party is a great way to keep them entertained and the mess out of the house.
Plus, a party can be expensive, so remove the need to hire a venue. You can choose the party features, so if you’ve got the space you can set up some outdoor party games such as ring toss or hire in things like a bouncy castle or ball pool.
The video below from At Home With Natalie was made for her party planning course but if you need a little inspiration into how to pick a theme and how best to plan then it is a great place to start:
Looking for new metal garden furniture for your next garden party?
Lazy Susan can get you set for Summer 2023.
You and your guests can dine in style on our beautifully crafted, maintenance-free garden furniture sets.
If you're still shopping around, then please sign up for our newsletter in the box below to hear about any future news, competitions, promos, sales and discounts.
Alternatively, if you're an events company or professional garden party planner who's looking for outdoor furniture, then please contact our Trade team on 01243 68 49 15 and ask for Ron or Jethro or email us at [email protected].
And lastly, if you have any photos of our Garden Furniture at your next garden party, then we’d love to see a few for our Do Some Good charity campaign. You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or email them to us at [email protected].