Spring and summer are my favorite seasons! I love nothing more than enjoying the outdoors and hosting a party. Last week, during the rewardStyle conference, I hosted 30 wonderful bloggers who I have met over the past 4 1/2 years at Garden Party for dinner. With the outdoor entertaining season upon us, I hope you will find a bit inspiration for any outdoor soiree you host in honor of a graduate, bride or just a beautiful night with friends.
SEVEN TIPS FOR HOSTING A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN PARTY
- Use Fresh Greenery
Incorporating fresh greenery into your tablescape provides a lush garden feel. With the garlands spilling over the ends of the table, it provides a little extra without feeling overdone. My friends at Gracious Garlands create the most gorgeous greenery. You’ve seen it here and on my Easter tablescape. All the greenery arrives farm fresh to your door on the day you request. We also incorporated garlands into the bar and even my outdoor fireplace to enhance the garden feel. Use code AWL10 for 10% off your orders.
- Add Blooming Garden Plants
If you follow me, you know I love all things blue and white and this is no exception! Here I have used a mixture of my favorite blue and white containers with small white hydrangeas and hot pink kalanchoe to give it a lush floral look. Adding an abundance of white votive candles helps create a beautiful ambience. I also used the new TIKI Brand table top torches to help keep mosquitos and bugs at bay. And how fantastic are these crossback chairs I incorporated from Lawson Event Rentals? They were the perfect finish to provide a natural look. Lawson has the best selection of event rentals in the Dallas area.
- Create an Herbal Cocktail
A minty Mojito is one of my favorite summer cocktails. This “make your own” Mojito bar is one of my tips for easy outdoor entertaining I shared with you last year. A cocktail with fresh herbs helps to complement and carry through your garden theme. I mixed up the the Mojito base in large pitchers and let guests choose their flavor to muddle in their glass before topping with club soda and ice. I’ll be sharing my BLK EYE Vodka Mojito on the blog next week! You’ll love this non-GMO vodka and this fresh, minty recipe.
- Serve Simple and Delicious Menu
My goal was to keep the evening casual and simple! I looked to one of my favorite restaurants, bartaco, to come and serve a light menu of tacos, tuna tostadas, fresh salsas and a spicy cucumber salad. They also provided delicious Aquas Fresca garnished with mint. The perfect garden mocktail! If you have a bartaco near you, you must try! To finish off the evening, I served the perfect pick up dessert, a variety of delicious tarts from Tartalicious. You’ll love to know they ship these tempting tarts throughout the United States.
- Provide Acrylic Drinkware
Anytime you’re outdoors, and especially near a pool, you never want to use glass drinkware. These beautiful Isabella tumblers, Isabella large beverage and Isabella wine glasses from Juliska are perfect for any outdoor occasion. They are great for every day use as well. At the bar, I also served my friend Gela Gallardo’s new Les Calans Rose. Crisp and delicious…perfect for a summer soiree. In Dallas you can find it at Central Market and City Cafe.
- Wear the perfect Garden Party Dress
When I saw this blue and white striped maxi dress from Lilly Pulitzer, I knew this was the perfect dress for this party and all summer long. Blue and white with a touch of hot pink…it was made for me! Lilly is the queen of lively dresses perfect for a garden party or any spring and summer event.
- End with a Garden Themed Favor
And of course, end with a great favor. As one of my best friends says “every party needs a favor.” Because this was a group of my influencer friends, I reached out to a few of my partners to put together the ultimate Garden Party Favor Bag. Cabana Life provided these fantastic soft sided coolers and a gift card. I filled them with a bottle of BLK EYE Vodka, along with one of their signature recipe cards, fresh and colorful notecards from Sweet Caroline Designs, swizzle sticks from Acrylic Sticks that you see in my specialty cocktail above and my favorite facial mask trio from Colleen Rothchilds.
Because I love a party favor so much, I’m giving away 4 of these fun favor bags filled with all the goodies including a $100 Gift Card from Cabana Life! Head on over to my Instagram and Facebook posts later today to find out how to enter. You can also leave a comment below for an extra entry! Winners will be announced here Friday, April 19.
Entertaining is my love language. Having friends and family in my home makes my heart sing! I truly hope this inspires you to take a tip or two and host a Garden Party. Please feel free to share your best tips on outdoor entertaining. I’d love to hear!
xo
Alicia
Thank you to BLK EYE Vodka, Juliska, Gracious Garlands, TIKI Brand, Lawson Event Rentals, Cabana Life, Sweet Caroline Designs. Tartalicious, Acrylic Sticks, Colleen Rothschild, Lilly Pulitzer and BarTaco for their generous support of this party and Alicia Wood Lifestyle.
Photos by Audrie Dollins
PS – Meet my fabulous friends: Tanya Foster, Lee of Do Say Give, Bree of Z Design at Home, Lyndsey Zorich of L Avenue, Randi Garrett Designs, CC Miller, Jennifer of Decor Gold, Kate from Lone Star Southern, Ashley of Curls and Cashmere, Erin of Busbee Style, Sara of Haute and Humid, Jess of Fashionably Jess, Veronika of Veronika’s Blushing, Natasha of Hello Happiness, Erin of My Texas House, Tiffany of Street Style Squad, Samantha of Style of Sam, Heather of So Heather, Cathy of The Middle Page, Anna of Fleurdille, Andrea of Loubies and Lulu, Marnie of Ms Goldgirl, Lisa J Make up, and Mysha of Remington Avenue. We got to visiting and didn’t get photos of everyone!
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New house = lots of summer get together. Can’t wait to try your selections!
Everything looks absolutely beautiful!! Do you hire people to help you (refill food, bar tend, clean up)? You make it look so easy, but I know a lot of time and effort must have gone into this event.
What a beautiful party!!! You’ve thought of every detail and I’m sure all the ladies had a wonderful time together!
Thanks for sharing your tips. Love seeing the gorgeous pictures
I live on the lake in North Carolina and know I can use these ideas a lot this summer!
Absolutely stunning! I love entertaining outside and would love to “clone” your party!!! Thanks for all the ideas. Can’t wait to use Bartaco for my next event!!
Stunning garden party! I am going to try and do this on a smaller scale.
Alicia. I Have loved following you. Your style is amazing.
Great post and beautiful Garden Party!
The setting is absolutely stunning.
No doubt fun was had by all.
What a beautiful party. Your tables are stunning. Loved your food ideas as well. Bravo!
I love love this dress on you!!!! Thanks for the great content. I enjoyed this post.
How beautiful! I love all the thought put into the little details – it really gives it a polished look and feel. Thanks for the inspiration! Xoxo
What a wonderful idea. Everything is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful set up and love the food display. I will definitely try out the Mojito recipe!
What a pretty setting! The food looked so yummy, and all the ladies looked lovely in their spring outfits.
What a beautiful party! And I absolutely love your dress!
Your dress is gorgeous, your friends are gorgeous and your flowers are absolutely beautiful. I used to entertain quite frequently but mostly only family anymore. I know this was a busy weekend for you, but one of my best tips is to entertain again the day afterward. I used to have my family (about 30) over on July 4th, and then my neighborhood the next day. All the work has been done and everyone gets to enjoy all the decorations and everything is set up.. Same as when we had Christmas parties. It would be my husband’s business clients the first night and all of our friends the day after. I kept this going for years for my entertaining – for almost every occasion.
Thank you very much for the ideas and I inspiration. I host my family often and appreciate your suggestions for a smooth get together that everyone can enjoy. Plus we get to visualize with your beautiful backyard.
Love the styles at Cabana! Your party is gorgeous!
You’ve given me Spring Fever and inspired me to invite some friends over for a Garden Party! You have so many nice sweet touches!!!
Those little chinoiserie cocktail stirrers are just precious. What a beautiful party!
You post inspiring ideas and themes. Already jotting down for summer hosting!
What a beautiful party with so many wonderful ideas and inspo! Seriously swooning over everything!