21 Charming Garden Party Ideas for Spring & Summer Gatherings
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The weather is getting warmer and the flowers are starting to bloom – meaning that spring is just right around the corner! In the spring, I love to spend time in my garden and host outdoor gatherings with my closest friends and families. Which inspired me to write this post on 21 garden party ideas for you to try this spring & summer!
There’s so many ways to host a garden party. Casual brunches, elegant dinners, or even just an afternoon tea party! The options are literally endless.
If you love entertaining, but need some inspiration for your next garden gathering, this list is for you! Whether you prefer a cozy picnic, a lively cocktail night, or a dreamy floral-themed soirée – you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this post!
- 1. Enchanted Garden Soirée
- 2. Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
- 3. Floral & Wine Tasting Party
- 4. Lavender & Honey Party
- 5. Midsummer Night's Dream Party
- 6. Cottagecore Garden Party
- 7. Secret Garden Brunch
- 8. Vintage English Garden Party
- 9. Boho Picnic Party
- 10. Garden-to-Table Dinner Party
- 11. Sunset & Sangria Party
- 12. Italian Aperitivo Hour
- 13. DIY Herb Cocktail Party
- 14. Lemon & Sunflower Garden Party
- 15. Backyard BBQ & Bonfire Party
- 16. Flower Pressing & Botanical Art Party
- 17. Rose-Themed Garden Party
- 18. French Countryside Picnic
- 19. Fairy Garden Party for Kids
- 20. Garden Movie Night
- 21. Backyard Glow Party
1. Enchanted Garden Soirée
For a truly magical evening, transform your garden into an enchanted wonderland! String fairy lights through the shrubs or pergola, drape tables with soft pastel linens, and set out flickering candles to create a dreamy atmosphere. Decorate with cascading florals and gold tableware to evoke a sense of romance and wonder.
You could also have drape a fuzzy blanket over an outdoor sofa and throw on some cozy cushions to create a dreamy outdoor vibe.
Encourage guests to dress in whimsical attire—flowing dresses, floral crowns, and even a hint of sparkle! Serve elegant small plates, like bruschetta, honey-drizzled cheeses, and floral-infused cocktails, for a refined touch.
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2. Alice in Wonderland Tea Party
Step into a whimsical world of wonder with a Mad Hatter-inspired tea party! Decorate with delicate floral china, quirky table settings, and colorful flowers overflowing from teapots. Place playing cards, watches, and vintage books around the table for that storybook feel.
Serve an array of delightful teas, finger sandwiches, and yummy scones. Plan activities like a “Mad Hatter Hat Contest” or a scavenger hunt for the White Rabbit to keep guests entertained.
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3. Floral & Wine Tasting Party
Elevate your garden gathering with a sophisticated floral-inspired wine tasting. Select a variety of wines—think floral whites like Riesling or Viognier and deep, velvety reds like Pinot Noir. Of course you also want to have gorgeous centerpieces with fresh-cut flowers adorning each table!
Pair each wine with a curated cheese board featuring honey, nuts, and edible flowers for a delicate, botanical touch. Add an interactive element by letting guests sample and rate each pairing on custom tasting cards!
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4. Lavender & Honey Party
A garden party centered around the calming, sweet essence of lavender and honey is perfect for a tranquil afternoon. Serve lavender-infused lemonade, honey-drizzled cheeses, and delicate lavender shortbread cookies.
For an activity, guests can make DIY lavender sachets or try a honey-tasting station with various local varieties.
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5. Midsummer Night’s Dream Party
Take inspiration from Shakespeare’s classic and create a mystical, fairy-lit evening. Hang up vintage lights or lanterns, place lots of bright and colorful flowers, and velvet seating for your guests to create a lush, enchanted garden feel.
Encourage guests to wear ethereal, fairy-inspired outfits with flower crowns and shimmering dresses. Serve sparkling cocktails, honey-drizzled fruits, and delicate pastries to complement the dreamy setting.
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6. Cottagecore Garden Party
This is honestly my favorite garden party idea. Embrace the rustic, nostalgic charm of cottagecore with an intimate garden gathering! Decorate with wildflowers, vintage tableware, and handwritten place cards.
Serve fresh-baked bread, berry jam, herbal teas, and rustic pies – encouraging guests to slow down and savor the moment.
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7. Secret Garden Brunch
Host an intimate brunch inspired by the charm of a hidden garden. Set up a wooden table beneath a large tree for a cozy effect. You can place fresh flowers as the table centerpiece with delicate china and pastel tableware.
Serve fresh pastries, fruit parfaits, and herbal teas for a light and refreshing menu. You could also offer a flower-arranging activity where guests can create their own mini bouquets as a take-home gift!
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8. Vintage English Garden Party
Step back in time with a classic English garden party – Bridgerton style!
Decorate with white lace tablecloths, fine china, and an abundance of roses. Guests can enjoy traditional treats like cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge cake, and a selection of fine teas. Play lawn games like croquet or badminton for an added touch of old-world charm!
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9. Boho Picnic Party
Create a relaxed, bohemian-style gathering with low tables, cozy floor cushions, and earthy decor. My favorite part of boho decor is macrame – and it looks beautiful when used with a garden vibe! You can also add woven rugs and neutral-toned blankets to create a dreamy feel.
Serve a grazing board filled with artisan cheeses, fruits, and fresh bread, along with refreshing herbal mocktails or iced tea.
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10. Garden-to-Table Dinner Party
Celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients with a farm-to-table style dinner at home! Use ingredients from your garden or a local farmers’ market to craft a delicious, home-cooked meal. Set up long wooden tables with simple, rustic decor such as linen napkins, fresh herbs, and vintage candle holders.
Serve dishes like fresh salads, grilled vegetables, and lemon-infused chicken. Get inspired by seasonal recipes and drinks that makes use of the season’s harvest.
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11. Sunset & Sangria Party
There’s something magical about watching the sun set with a refreshing glass of sangria in hand! This garden party is all about unwinding with friends while sipping fruity, refreshing sangrias infused with fresh berries, citrus slices, and herbs.
Set up a DIY sangria station where guests can mix their own blends using red, white, or rosé wine and an array of fresh ingredients. Serve light tapas like bruschetta, olives, and Spanish cheese to complement the drinks.
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12. Italian Aperitivo Hour
Channel the charm of an Italian summer evening with a relaxed aperitivo-style gathering. Offer classic Italian cocktails like Aperol Spritz, Negroni, or Bellinis, paired with light bites such as olives, bruschetta, prosciutto-wrapped melon, and Parmesan crisps. Set up a long communal table draped in a crisp white tablecloth with fresh rosemary sprigs as decor.
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13. DIY Herb Cocktail Party
Add a fresh twist to cocktail hour by incorporating homegrown herbs! Set up a DIY cocktail bar with fresh basil, mint, rosemary, and lavender, allowing guests to mix up their own herb-infused drinks.
To inspire guests, write recipe cards for classic herb cocktails like mojitos, basil gin smashes, and rosemary spritzers. Guests can pick the cocktail(s) that they wish to make and have fun mixing & matching fresh ingredients for their concoctions.
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14. Lemon & Sunflower Garden Party
Celebrate summer’s brightest colors with a cheerful lemon and sunflower theme! Decorate with sunny yellow blooms, citrus centerpieces, and lemon-scented candles to create a bright & sunny environment.
Serve citrus-themed dishes such as lemon tarts or citrus spritzers. You can also make lemonade or iced tea to complete the summer feel.
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15. Backyard BBQ & Bonfire Party
A backyard BBQ & bonfire is a summer classic! Fire up the grill for a feast of burgers, skewers, corn on the cob, potato salad, fruits, and other BBQ favorites. End the evening gathered around a fire pit roasting marshmallows and making s’mores!
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16. Flower Pressing & Botanical Art Party
Spring is the perfect time to host a flower-themed party! A creative, hands-on experience where guests can press flowers, make botanical prints, or create their own nature-inspired artwork is not only fun, but a chance for your guests to show off their creative side.
You can buy inexpensive flower pressing kits from Amazon. You could also host an outdoor painting party where you can have guests complete a paint-by-numbers painting with pre-drawn canvases of floral patterns.
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17. Rose-Themed Garden Party
Indulge in a luxurious and romantic garden party this spring! Set the scene with an abundance of fresh roses in shades of blush pink, deep red, and soft ivory in vintage vases. Complement the floral theme with delicate gold accents, lace table runners, and antique-inspired dinnerware for a touch of vintage glamour.
The menu should highlight floral-infused flavors, such as rose petal tea, honey-drizzled ricotta with edible flowers, and strawberry rose tarts. For an extra-special experience, set up a DIY perfume or potpourri station where guests can blend their own floral fragrances using dried roses, lavender, and citrus peels!
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I hope you enjoyed this round-up of garden party ideas! Let me know which one you’re going to try first in the comments below. Happy party planning!
Looking for more party ideas? Check out these posts!
18. French Countryside Picnic
I love the French country style, so it’s no surprise that I’d add a French countryside-style picnic to this list! Transport your guests to the rolling lavender fields of Provence by hosting a charming French countryside picnic.
Fill woven baskets filled with fresh baguettes, cheeses, and seasonal fruits like figs, pears, and grapes for an authentic French touch. A bottle of chilled rosé or sparkling elderflower lemonade completes the experience!
Curate a playlist of classic French café music and create a flower station with dried lavender and fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme), where guests can bundle their own fragrant bouquets to take home! Keep the dress code relaxed yet elegant, encouraging guests to wear flowy dresses, straw hats, or breezy linen outfits to match the theme.
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19. Fairy Garden Party for Kids
Create an enchanting experience for little ones with a fairy garden party filled with whimsy and wonder. Set up tiny fairy houses, scatter glitter (“fairy dust”) around the yard, and provide kids with fairy wings to wear.
Activities can include making flower crowns, painting fairy rocks, or creating their own tiny fairy gardens in flower pots. Serve whimsical treats like “toadstool” cupcakes (red icing with white dots) and butterfly-shaped sandwiches.
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20. Garden Movie Night
Transform your backyard into a cozy open-air cinema! A white sheet or outdoor projector screen sets the stage for a nostalgic movie night under the stars.
Provide comfy seating with plush blankets and bean bags, and serve classic movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and sodas. Choose a feel-good film that matches the outdoor ambiance—think The Secret Garden or Under the Tuscan Sun.
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21. Backyard Glow Party
Turn your garden into a glowing wonderland with lanterns, LED decor, and twinkling fairy lights. This party is perfect for after-dark fun, featuring neon-colored cocktails, glow-in-the-dark lawn games, and a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere.
You can even provide guests with glow sticks, light-up headbands, and UV face paint for a playful touch. Play electric music to set the mood – but of course, not too loud!
