Set the Atmosphere for an Incredible Evening Garden Party
Now that spring is here (or is on its way, we keep being told), you can start thinking about having a garden party. Now, keep in mind that a garden party doesn’t have to mean finger sandwiches and polite conversation. In modern terms, a garden party is, well, a party… in a garden. That’s really all there is to it–it can be as exotic, wild, fun, or silly as you want! The key to having the type of party you want is to set the atmosphere.
As soon as guests step into your backyard, they should not only feel welcome (that goes without saying!), but they should also start to get an idea of how the evening is going to be. Now, keep in mind that these suggestions are for adding atmosphere to an evening party. Evening parties can be a bit more exciting, so get ready to add some flavor to your garden!
- Lighting is critical. While you don’t want guests having to squint to see each other, slightly dimmed lighting can be sexy and intriguing. Putting clear lights in your bushes and trees is a no-brainer. Even though the look’s been done quite a bit, they’re still charming and fun. You can also have table candles (citronella candles if you’re in a buggy part of the world!) and torches surrounding the perimeter.
- Music, anyone? I think that music is essential to any gathering, but for an outdoor party, it’s often important to make sure the music stays in the background. Besides pleasing the neighbors, subtle background music complements the ebb and flow of conversation. When conversation lulls, there aren’t are crickets chirping or painfully awkward silences. Also, quieter music prevents guests from having to shout to be heard. The tunes will depend on your crowd, but I recommend any of Putamayo’s South American CDs (Brasiliero, Music from the Chocolate Lands, and Women of Latin America are a few of my favorites), Marvin Gaye, Jewel, Al Green, Frank Sinatra, and the Wallflowers.
- Keep the refreshments flowing! Sangria is ideal for parties. It’s easy to make in large batches, it’s festive, and guests tend to love it. I recommend this recipe for summer sangria–it’s as cute as it is delicious. Another great option is pink lemonade. Preparing this garden party favorite is surprisingly easy: buy frozen lemonade (those tubes in the freezer section at the grocery store), prepare it, throw some strawberries in a blender, and dump the puree in the lemonade. No matter what you serve, be sure to have an easy way for guests to keep refilling–a guest should never go thirsty.
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