9 minute read
How to Host a Garden Party Like a Pro
spring into the season How to Host a Garden Party Like a Pro By Jeweliana Curtis
Savannah Bowdoin Event Planner Owner of The Shindig Co.
Spring is upon us, and with that comes a great excuse to gather together with friends to celebrate! From birthday shindigs to Easter gatherings, springtime o ers the perfect backdrop for a garden party at home. So, dust o the winter blues and read on to learn expert tips for hosting your next garden party like a pro from Savannah Bowdoin, event planner and owner of The Shindig Co.
LEAN INTO A THEME
Before you begin planning out your picture-perfect celebration, it is important to choose a party theme or color palette that speaks to you. A theme or a distinctive color palette can act as an anchor for your decor, activities and food and beverage for any event. For a spring garden party, Savannah suggests opting for a bright and fun color palette, or incorporating oral designs and fresh elements into your decor. The theme can also be incorporated into the menu for the event, and Savannah encourages garden party hosts to lean into fresh, light options that match the feel of the event.
“If you are leaning into the garden theme, I love the idea of incorporating fresh owers! There’s nothing more spring than fresh blooms,” Savannah said. “If you are able, pick up a bouquet or arrangement from a local oral designer, or if you have the time, get creative and forage in your own garden to put together a stunning centerpiece full of fresh owers and greenery. You don’t have to buy orals, you can nd great options in your own backyard. Pull pieces in to add that feeling of freshness and seasonality to the gathering.” First impressions are everything! After you decide on a theme or color palette for your gathering, you may be thinking about the best way to invite your guests. While you can type out a quick text or email over an e-vite, if you really want to go the extra mile, consider sending a beautiful invite in the mail. Your invitation can truly set the stage for your event, so why not make it extra special?
“The best way to make even the smallest party feel special is to send over an invitation. I am a big fan of snail mail! People do not typically receive a lot of exciting pieces in their mailbox these days, so a party is the perfect excuse to send something that will brighten their day—and their stack of bills,” Savannah suggested. “You can order one online from somewhere like Etsy or write a simple note on a pretty piece of paper and throw it in the mail! It’s a great way to help make the gathering feel special from the start.”
PRO TIP:
Want to take your snail mail to the next level? Add a gorgeous vintage stamp! Savannah is an avid collector of vintage stamps, explaining that they can really spice up your paper goods. To build your collection, consider purchasing from small shops on Etsy, or locate a local seller. Just make sure you’re buying unused postage and that you have enough to cover the cost of sending each envelope!
PREP + DELEGATE
Hosting a party may feel daunting, but the good news is that you can plan ahead and delegate responsibilities to dispute those overwhelming feelings. Even the most experienced host or hostess does not do it all alone! The key is to know your pain points ahead of time and prepare. Pick out your out t in advance, take anything like paper plates or cups out of their packaging, and ensure that you have all of your decor ready to go. If having a tidy space for the gathering adds extra stress, plan to clean a few days before instead of rushing to tidy all of your spaces the morning of your event. Another option would be to set aside a budget to have a professional do a light clean of your space. Not only will this save you time, but it will also eliminate some stress!
“My best piece of advice is to get your house and your outdoor entertaining areas into a good, tidy place a few days before the event, whether that is with help or without. That way, you will feel good about your home and be able to prepare for the event without the added stress of cleaning,” Savannah expressed. “We all want to avoid that feeling of rushing to get dressed, knowing the table is not set for your guests yet, and realizing you spent your entire morning cleaning the baseboards—that no one will be analyzing, by the way.”
Another great way to alleviate stress is to delegate. You should not feel pressured to create an entire menu from scratch for every gathering. Invite your friend to bring an appetizer or assign someone the task of playing bartender for the evening so you can mingle. Additionally, do not be afraid to order food and beverage options from local vendors!
“When it comes to the menu, make as much as you can beforehand or arrange to pick it up the day before the event. If you want to bring in a specialty item, consider a beautiful charcuterie board or tea sandwich spread from a local vendor like Born + Grazed or Amazing Graze Gal & Co. You have wonderful local
SET THE MOOD
Now that your theme is set, your menu is solidi ed and your space is ready to be decorated, it is time to move onto creating a beautiful atmosphere for your guests to enjoy. For a garden party, this could mean bringing in those gorgeous orals from a local orist or foraging in your garden for greenery to accent with. This is also the time to think about lighting, as it can play a key role in creating a warm, inviting environment. Savannah suggests incorporating tapered candles to create a dramatic look, or opting for simple tea lights to add warmth and a subtle glow to your space.
ABOUT THE SHINDIG CO.
Founded in 2020, The Shindig Co. was created by event planner Savannah Bowdoin. Savannah was born and raised in Lake City before attending the University of Florida and studying hospitality and event planning, with a degree specialization in private events. Upon graduation, she gained experience in private event planning with a boutique agency in Washington, D.C., then had the opportunity to work with vendors of all types at WeddingWire and The Knot. With a passion for event planning and a desire to be closer to family, Savannah moved back to North Florida and founded The Shindig Co., where she focuses on crafting thoughtful and inviting experiences for those who value time well spent.
Savannah currently provides full-service wedding and event planning to her clients all around the world, handling the planning and execution of events to a tee. She believes that hospitality is a gift, and that gift should be shared with the ones you love! For more information about The Shindig Co., or to learn more about how Savannah can help bring meaningful moments to your next gathering, visit theshindig.co. Follow along on Instagram to nd inspiration and stay updated on the journey at @theshindigco.
CREATE A STUNNING TABLESCAPE
The table is the heart of any great gathering, so why not make it a standout piece of the decor? Savannah is known for her eye for design and is always dreaming up new ways to create a stunning tablescape. Check out her best tips for approaching a tablescape and making it the center of attention at every gathering.
“I always approach a table in layers. Your base layer is either the beautiful table itself, or a stunning linen thrown over it. Having a soft layer, like a linen, adds a nice texture. Layers and textures are the keys to having a gorgeous tablescape,” Savannah explained. “Charger plates are a wonderful way to add another layer and strong base for each place setting. Next, place your dinner plate on top. After your plates, add a folded napkin, place your menu on top—maybe it matches your invitations—and add a personalized place card to make your guests feel even more valued. Finish o by adding fun atware and thrifted glassware, and your settings are complete!”
Once your table is set with the necessities, it’s time for the fun part. Continue to layer in textures and colors with accent pieces to match the theme, or incorporate those ambient lighting options. Finish with a beautiful statement piece in the center, like a bouquet of fresh owers or hand-picked greenery. The result will be a beautiful tablescape that is sure to delight your guests as they gather around it for the evening.
EMBRACE THE IMPERFECT
Oftentimes it can be intimidating to welcome people into your home, but it does not have to be! If you begin to feel overwhelmed throughout the process, remind yourself of the purpose of your gathering. At the end of the day, the mistakes and funny mishaps along the way do not matter. Bringing your loved ones together is what it is all about!
PRO TIPS:
• For fun paper goods for a kids’ table, check out Savannah’s favorite online retailer, Meri Meri. There is even a garden party themed set that would be perfect for upcoming spring and summer gatherings!
• Hire a photographer to come for an hour to capture the decor you spent so much time dreaming up, as well as you and your guests dressed to perfection and enjoying the party! You’ll never regret having high-quality memories to look back on. “There’s no greater gift that you can give people than time… Time with loved ones, and time to create memories,” Savannah expressed. “Bringing them together is priceless. You are o ering them the most thoughtful treasure by inviting them into a circle of love and welcoming them into your community.” ■
ENTERTAINING WITH KIDS
It’s no secret that entertaining with kids can present some challenges, but there are so many wonderful ways to incorporate kidfriendly activities into your gathering! Create a table setup just for them with fun plates and accessories, or serve them an array of fun foods that they will love. Another great option is to provide a kiddie table lled with crafts or coloring sheets for them to enjoy. Want to go the extra mile? Set up a teepee or tent in your backyard and ll it with throw pillows and toys for the kids to play with during the garden party. The activity and area can even match your theme and color palette to create a cohesive space.
Poppy Party:
Photography: @mollinerphotography Design & Planning: @theshindigco Floral Design: @ironandclay owers Tabletop: @treasuryrentals Menus: @lit.te.ra Linens: @latavolalinen
Easter Shoot (Adult Table):
Design: @theshindigco Photography: @marstonphotography Floral Design: @ironandclay owers Calligraphy: @lit.te.ra Sweets: @uppercrust_productions
Easter Shoot (Kiddie Table):
Design: @theshindigco Photography: @marstonphotography Decor: @merimeriparty
Safari:
Design: @theshindigco Photography: @marstonphotography Balloons: @southernsipsandevents
