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Garden Party Planner: Start Here

© Barbara M. Martin

Party! Party! Party! Summer is garden party season. This first of a three part series offers many cheerful must-do hints and tips on planning a successful garden party from the pre-party schedule to suggested themes, recipes, entertainment and even table topics. Some you will find useful, some undoubtedly the opposite, but all well worth a gander for wannabe (or gottabe) hosts and hostesses.

Whether or not you have an upcoming eclipse to watch in your neck of the woods (some of us may have to make do with mere stargazing ), you might consider throwing a garden party for some summer fun. Just think! If you throw the party after dark, your guests won't see the weeds (or the flowers) in your garden and that's a fact!

Here are some simple tips and how-to's to help you work out the bugs and ensure your garden party is a success from the get-go, be it the straightlaced Victorian Garden Party or your own version of MadCap Martha Stewart en plain air.

Just make sure it's entertaining in the best sense of the word. (If you need some truly serious help, take a look at this great Entertaining for Dummies chapter.)

If you are obsessive, do the Party Count Down making any adjustment appropriate to the outdoor setting. If you are more of a spur of the moment non-planner and procrastinator, you might find this Party Planner Checklist handy when you run to the store the night before your party for food along with more potting soil.

Realize the garden will not be perfect that day no matter how much you work or worry. Most people come for the refreshments and entertainment, not the garden. Those who do come for the garden will appreciate all your hard work no matter how it looks. You are assured of this because you didn't invite any of the fussy, picky, snippy people, did you? I hope not!

Nonetheless, this is a party so put your best foot forward and jazz up the front entry. Tempted to trim back all the annuals that have gone leggy or look tattered, or fertilize and water like mad? Don't bother. Buy new ones instead. Add some hidden floral scented candles and you're all set. This guarantees your fete takes on an overwhelming air of extravagance from the start.

Consider fluffing with a few special props, too - statuary rentals are a great option to go along with the punch bowls and those extra chairs and tables!

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