Plan a fiesta-style garden party

A boxy tray with deep sides is a good idea when carrying tall glasses. Hand round nibbles in colourful lightweight bamboo bowls.

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A boxy tray with deep sides is a good idea when carrying tall glasses. Hand round nibbles in colourful lightweight bamboo bowls.

1/9 Invest in a drinks table

blue tray with bowls and wine glasses

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Find the tray from Ella's Kitchen Company, and the napkins from Paperchase. The cocktail picks are from John Lewis.

2/9 Use a storage trunk

wooden trunk with flower in vase and wine glasses

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Use a storage trunk or garden table covered in a pretty runner as a serving area. Choose stylish polycarbonate wine flutes and champagne buckets to avoid breakages on the terrace.

Find a similar trunk from I & JL Brown. The table runner is from IKEA.

3/9 Send out pretty invites

wooden tray with glasses and flower in vase

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Send out invites that double up as pretty drinks coasters - ask your guests to bring them along to use at the party.

The coaster invitations are from Notonthehighstreet.com, and the flutes are from Cater For You.

4/9 Hang a banner

house with banner and climbing plant on white wall

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Hang a vintage banner with twinkling fairy lights for a warm greeting.

This handmade sign is from Not On The High Street, and the lights are from The Glow Company.

5/9 Get playful with a pinata

garden with green trees with hanging red pinata

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Children - not to mention adults - love to play this fun game. Fill the piñatas with sweets and hang from a branch for all ages to take part and enjoy.

The pinata is from Talking Tables.

6/9 Decorate with flower garlands

house with garlands on white walls and white chairs

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Pretty garlands are a quick and easy way to get your garden in the party spirit. Dress up a seating area with an assortment of floral cushions.

Find similar chairs and slips at OKA. The flower garland is from Talking Tables, and the cushions from John Lewis.

7/9 Group paper lanterns together

living room with fireplace and sofaset with cushions

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Rather than hanging a single lantern, group a few together in colourful 'bunches' so they look like party balloons.

The paper lanterns, and battery operated lights are from The Hanging Lantern Company. The chair and sofa are from OKA.

8/9 Create a pathway

paperbag lanterns on grass lawn and green plants

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Divide and light walkways with lines of paper-bag lanterns.

The lanterns are from UK Paper Candle Bag Lanterns.

9/9 Add a candle centrepiece

float lantern candles on shallow bowls

(Image credit: Simon Scarboro)

Float lantern candles in shallow bowls for a flickering glow on outdoor tables. Never leave any burning candles unattended.

The floating candles are from The Glow Company.

Looking for more ideas? Watch our video of garden party tips.

Tamara Kelly
Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.