28 Garden Party Ideas that will get you Excited for Summer

Summer is back and I am so ready to refresh my outdoor space for some good old fashioned Spring and Summer garden parties!

These garden party ideas will serve as a great idea book for your own garden parties. I will include my favorite decorations, gardening tips and food for your viewing pleasure.

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for details.

Jump to:

• Decorations
• Food
• Dessert
• Drinks

Prepare your Garden for a Party

When you are planning a garden party, your first step is to prepare your garden space for visitors. You will want to clean up your backyard space from the left over winter season.

Plan out some flowers and plants for your garden. If you plan early enough, you can even start your seeds indoors for transplant. Also here is a great list of flowers that will keep your garden in bloom all summer.

Choose a Theme for your Garden Party

Once you have your garden all cleaned up and planted, you will want to start thinking up some decorations that will be ahppy and memorable for your garden party.

Some of my favorite decorations are bright pinks and yellows, combined with pom poms and maybe even some outdoor string lights.

Decide on a theme for your garden party and run with it. You could go with a tea party, flamingo, luau, or cookout theme for your party. Your imagination is the limit.

Garden Party Decorating Ideas

1. Create Marbled Pots for your Garden Party

These marbled pots would make a great decoration for your Springtime garden party. I love the clean white with a pop of color. It might also be fun to get enough supplies for everyone to make one to bring home as part of the party fun. Check out the tutorial here.

2. Create a String of Pearls Planter out of Paper

If your garden isn’t in full bloom yet or you need a little extra green for your garden party, check out these paper String of Pearls planters. To make your own, you will need a Cricut or cutting machine. Check out the tutorial here to download your template.

3. Customize a Galvanized Tub for your Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

If you are serving drinks at your garden party, consider customizing a tub and some glass bottles for an extra customized look. This garden party lemonade looks so delicious and inviting. Check out the tutorial here.

4. Garden Party Idea: Add a DIY Spring Terrarium

This DIY terrarium would make a great decoration for your garden party. It is made from a glass candle holder, some terracotta pots and paint. Check out the DIY here.

5. Build a Tiki Bar

How about adding a Tiki bar for your garden party? If you have some old pallets, head over to this post to see how you can make your own!

6. DIY Fresh Flower Kissing Balls

These kissing balls are made out of carnations and they would make an unbelievable garden party decoration. To make these, simply leave about an inch of stem on your carnations and push the fresh flowers into your foam ball. See the tutorial here.

7. Create a Moss Topiary for your Garden Party

These topiary’s are the perfect addition to your springtime decor. Simply add moss to a chipboard letter and add a dowel so you can stand it up in a planter. So cute and customizable! Check out the tutorial here.

8. Peter Rabbit Garden Party

This garden party idea is Peter Rabbit themed, but there are so many cute ideas that you can copy. From food labels to a garden sign, there are just so many cute things here for you to copy. Check it out here.

9. Have a “Mad Hatter” Tea Party

There is just so much you can do for a mad hatter tea party. Think, hats craziness and fun. This post has some great inspiration and recipes so you can create your own Mad Hatter Tea party garden party at home. Check out the post here.

Desserts for your Garden Party

Dessert is the first thing I think of when I think of a garden party. Well, fresh air and dessert. Here are some great garden party dessert ideas for your party.

10. Garden Party Frog Cupcakes

These cupcakes are outdoorsy, cute and scream garden party food. I love the cute little lips. Check out how to make them here.

11. Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes

If you are looking for the perfect garden party dessert. Not only does it look and sound amazing, but the ingredients use almond flour and Stevia or Monkfruit so you can feel good about what you are eating. Check them out here.

12. Flower Pot Muffins with Candy Roses

These chocolate muffins in a pot are the perfect dessert for your dinner party. Not only do they fit the theme perfectly, but they will taste amazing. Check out how to make them here .

13. DIY Flower Cupcake Bouquet

This flower bouquet is extra amazing because you can eat it! It is actually a bunch of cupcakes gorgeously decorated and stuck through toothpick which hold them all together on a foam ball. Check out how you can make one here.

14. Watermelon Popsicle

These Popsicle are perfect for your garden party. They are made in layers, a watermelon layer, a kiwi layer and a coconut layer. They look amazing and I’m sure taste even better. Check out how to make them here.

15. Gluten Free Lemon Cake

This lemon cake looks so creamy and amazing and lemon is the perfect flavor for a garden party. Head on over to see this recipe and get some more great spa like retreat ideas for your garden party. Check it out here,

Food for your Garden Party

When I think of garden party food, I think of light, airy snacks that leave you wanting more. Here are some great garden party food ideas for you to add to your own garden party.

16. Watermelon Prosciutto Skewers

These skewers combine watermelon, prosciutto, mozzarella and cantaloupe for the perfect garden party snack. Add some balsamic vinegar and you have a memorable treat for your party, See how to make them here,

17. Goat Cheese Blackberry and Mint Toast

This may be the bast looking toast ever It is super simple and perfect for a garden party or brunch. Simply toast your bread, add goat cheese, blackberries and mint to the top. Pour a drizzle of honey on top and you have the perfect garden party toast. See the recipe here.

18. Grilled Hawaiian Barbecue Chicken

I think if you add pineapple to any kind of meat, it instantly makes it better! This refreshing chicken recipe is the perfect main course for your garden party. Check it out here.

19. Teriyaki Beef Kabobs

Add anything to a stick and it is perfect for your outdoor parties! These teriyaki beef kabobs are no exception! Check out how to make them here.

20. Strawberry Blueberry Salad

This is so delicious that it should be in the dessert section, but since its healthy (and low carb) I put it here. Check out how to make this perfect garden party side dish here.

21. Tomato Caprese Salad

This is such a great salad for spring! I love how light and refreshing this is! Check out how to make it here.

Garden Party Drinks

While you are out enjoying the outdoors, you are bound to get thirsty. Here are a few drink ideas for your garden party.

22. Jalapeno Strawberry Margarita

What is better than a strawberry Margarita? Not much besides this jalapeno strawberry version. Spicy, and sweet that is the way to go. See how to make it here.

Made from strawberries, watermelon maple syrup and mint leaves, this is the perfect smoothie for your garden party. Check out how to make it here.

23. Lavender Pear Juice Cocktail

Something about adding lavender to your drink screams garden party! This pear lavender lemonade drink is refreshing and perfect for a sunny garden party. See how to make it here.

24. Sparkling Strawberry Party Punch

I am a sucker for punch at a party. I love using my pretty glass punch bowl. This sparkling strawberry party punch is the perfect punch for your garden party. Check it out here.

25. Rhubarb Lemonade

I am always searching for things to do with rhubarb. I don’t know why, but I just love it! This drink is perfect for your garden party or a refreshing summer day. Check it out here.

26. Strawberry Mint Infused Water

I love infused waters! By adding strawberries and mint to your fresh cold water, you have an instant refreshing garden party drink! Check out how to make it here.

27. Blood Orange & Pomegranate Moscow Mule

If you like Moscow Mules, this is the perfect summer version! By adding refreshing orange and pomegranate it becomes an instant garden party hit! Check out how to make it here.

28. Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie

Plan a Memorial Garden Party

Last September I lost my dad to COPD. One of my fondest memories of him was on Race Day (Memorial Day weekend). He loved the Indy 500. Every year, he would wake up early to grill bacon and eggs on the grill and would make a racetrack obstacle course racetrack in our backyard.

Our Decorations:

This year, for my first garden party, I continued the tradition and had a Race Day party of our own. Here are a few fun snap shots:

Conclusion

A garden party is the perfect way to get back into the swing of summer. The fresh air and good company of others will do wonders for your spirit. If you are looking for more backyard decorating ideas, check out our 23 easy backyard decorating ideas, or consider adding some arches to your space.

As always, please subscribe if you would like more DIY crafts, decorating and garden ideas sent to your inbox.