How to make your next garden party super chic

While the sun’s out grab the chance to enjoy some al fresco dining. Bring picnic chic to your garden this summer for a party to remember.

1. Go posh

Just because you’re eating outdoors you don’t need to slum it with paper cups. Set up a table in your garden with your best vintage teacups and saucers and serve your guests tea from silver teapots. If you don’t happen to have an extensive range of vintage crockery in your cupboard, pop down to your local charity shop and pick up some secondhand china and silverware.

Image credit: The Glamorous Housewife

2. Or go rustic

If you prefer a more rustic outdoor dining style, decorate an old picnic table with ribbon and bunches of wildflowers in old glass jars. Scatter a few cushions on the ground so your guests can relax in the sun after they’ve filled their tummies.

Image credit: Papered Heart Photography

3. Add small details

Quirky touches will give your picnic personality. If you’re serving your food from garden tables, let your guests know what’s what by writing descriptions of your dishes on homemade paper flags and serve your food in single-sized, easy-to-carry containers, like a glass jar.

Images credit: Simply Rosie Photography/One Plus One Design

4. Add colour

Bunting is the quickest, simplest way to decorate your outdoor space for a garden party. Attach it to your garden fence and the outside walls of your house, string it through the branches of trees and loop it around the shed and the kids’ trampoline. Within minutes you’ve added colour to your garden — and it’s just as easy to take down when the party’s over.

Image credit: Lucy Portsmouth/Flickr

More: Decorating your table for a garden party

5. Blankets and baskets are musts

What says picnic more than blankets and wicker baskets? Spread a few large picnic rugs on your lawn and use hampers to transport your food and drink outside. Have a hamper for bread, another for condiments and another for drinks — or create personalised baskets and give each guest their own mini picnic.

Image credit: Pizzazzerie

6. Get lighting for after sundown

Lanterns add interest and sophistication to your outdoor space during the day and can be lit with candles in the evening to create a relaxing atmosphere.

Image: Sainsbury’s, hanging terrarium, £18; gold punched tea light holder small, £2; mono votive tray, £10; nesting tea light holder ,£10.

This post is brought to you by Sainsbury’s.

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