How to Host a Spring Garden Party

When I was in the thick of Winter, wondering when, if ever, the sun would come out again - I decided to plan a Spring Garden Party. The last few weeks of Winter always feel like they take forever to end, so giving myself something to look forward to is always the best way to make it through those final few days of cold, dark, Wintery misery.

So when I stumbled upon a gorgeous, wooded forest with picnic tables and redwood trees a few weeks ago, I knew it would be the perfect backdrop to my Spring party. With wildflowers growing everywhere, butterflies fluttering through the air, and hiking trails around every corner, it was the most picturesque location I could've asked for.

When hikers in the park walked by and saw my set-up, they all asked what the occasion was for such a beautiful tablescape. To which I replied, "It's a celebration of Spring." Use this as your reminder that you don't need any specific reason to gather with your loved ones, eat good food, laugh, and have fun. You don't have to wait for a birthday or a holiday. You can have a party and build community just because it sounds like a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

We decided to make our party a potluck and I'm so glad we did! Our friends and family brought delicious food, drinks, and desserts! We had so much food leftover that everyone was able to take a plate home. It was such a beautiful representation of the importance of community. And how when we all bring our resources to the table, everyone gets fed.

Step 1: Choose Your Setting

You don't need a sprawling estate or a Pinterest worthy rental house to gather. You just need a little planning and a lot of creativity. We opted for an outdoor picnic area because Spring weather has finally made its arrival, so we were blessed with a 68 and sunny day. But if the weather in your area can be more finicky and Spring brings a lot of showers, opt for your own dining room, backyard, or local community center. Don't be discouraged by the weather, work with what you've got!

For a Spring party, you'll want a location that represents the feelings of Spring: newness, rebirth, growth, natural beauty. But if you don't have that, you can always replicate those feelings through your decor and food.

Step 2: Set the Table(s)

I had so much fun using my vintage tableware for this party. It created such an Alice in Wonderland vibe, that really represents Spring. Head to your local antique shop or thrift store, and see what vintage plates and cups you can find! Often times, they're so inexpensive and so worth the price. I've paid as little as $1 for an antique plate before and I just love knowing that I can take something old and make it new and of use again.

Spring really represents the beauty of nature to me, so mimic that by incorporating as many natural elements as you can. As a florist, naturally I wanted to create stunning flower arrangements that would line the tables. And I was even fortunate enough to be able to use some of the flowers from my own garden. I used linen tablecloths and antique quilts for the tables and did my best to create a whimsical, Spring wonderland.

If you wanted to go the extra mile, you could place pressed flowers or handwritten name cards at the table for a sit down event.

For our flowers, I used:

• Sweet Peas

• Icelandic Poppies

• Ranunculus

• Canterbury Bells

• Tulips

Step 3: Plan the Menu

I have to say, going for the potluck style party really was the way to go, because it took so much of the pressure off of me. I was able to focus on other aspects of the event like the flowers, decor and the desserts. All of the things I love to focus on! I kept the menu simple because I knew that people would be bringing dishes of their own. We made a delicious potato salad, a crudite platter, a cheese and fruit board, and picked up some empanadas from our favorite Brazilian restaurant.

But if you're not doing a potluck and want to create the perfect Spring menu, focus on things that are colorful & in season. Think asparagus tarts, fresh garden salads, and light tea sandwiches. I topped almost everything with edible flowers, which added so much fun and whimsy to each dish.

For dessert, I wanted to make something vibrant and Springy, so I whipped up the Sally's Baking Addiction lemon bars and boy were they a HIT. Sally can really do no wrong in my eyes. Every single recipe I've done of hers, is a banger. Keep em coming Sally!

For drinks, we had a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but noticed that people really just wanted water! No one asked for wine, and only a few people got into the peach bellini we bought. Are fruity drinks out and water in?? Let me know in the comments lol.

If I was doing more of a sit down dinner, here's an example of the type of menu I'd probably make:

Appetizer: Asparagus Tart with Pine Nuts and Capers

Salad: Arugula Pesto Potato Salad

Main: Herb Roasted Chicken with Spring Veggies

Dessert: Creamy Lemon Pie

Step 4: Set the Vibe

I really wanted the vibes to be high for this event. There's a time and place for soft, romantic elevator music or Norah Jones and this was not that time. I created a playlist that I thought represented how Spring makes me feel. Like I'm alive again. The sun is out, the weather is warm, and suddenly all my problems have faded away. Artists that give me that feeling are Maggie Rogers, Khalid, Tems, Frank Ocean, and Tame Impala. I wanted to create the perfect mix of whimsical, fun, and uplifting songs that my guests could enjoy in the backdrop while they ate and chatted amongst themselves.

But if you're going for something a bit more romantic, Norah is definitely your girl. And for a seated dinner, I think mixing in some Kacey Musgraves, Hozier, & Tems (again), would be great additions.

If you're hosting a party indoors, then you can enhance the ambiance in other ways as well - utilize as many of the senses as possible. You've got hearing covered with music, and flowers and twinkling lights covered for sight. For smell, you could add diffusers or (my favorite) a simmer pot, to welcome your guests in to a deliciously scented room that smells of Spring. You can read this blog post to see some of my favorite Spring scent combinations.

Step 5: Plan a Creative Activity

I don't know about you, but I feel my most creative in the Spring. It feels like such a time to create, explore, and make as much beauty and magic as possible. While it's not necessary to have an activity planned for your event, it certainly always goes over well. People love an activity. Probably because as adults, we don't really get to do just fun, silly crafts as much as we did when we were younger. I brought card games, hula hoops, flower presses and cornhole to the party to make sure that there was something for everyone to do in case they wanted to be a bit more active. Some people hung out at the activities table with the flower press, and some people got into an intense game of cornhole.

Whether it's a paint project or flower press station or just a polaroid camera in the corner, giving your guests something to do is always a fun way to bond and connect.

Step 6: Send them Home with a Favor

The great thing about setting up an activity or a craft for your guests, is that they can then take it home with them as a party favor! We set out a few gift baggies for people to take home their pressed flowers if they want and it was a cute touch that was easy, and killed two birds with one stone. Something like painting candles could be a fun activity to do, where guests could take their candles home with them and light in the evening! You could also replicate this with a flower arranging party or jewelry making party. Any activity that your guests can take home and enjoy for weeks, months or even years to come.

If you wanted to create favors for them, some great Springy options would be a handmade lavender sachet or wildflower garden seed packets, so they can spread them in their own backyard and enjoy flowers throughout the season!

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This party was so much fun and such a great way to kick off the Spring season! I hope it gave you a bit of inspiration and guidance for hosting your own Spring parties this year! If you plan your own garden party, I’d love to see it—tag me on Instagram or leave a comment below!