Creating the Perfect Retro Tea Party in Your Garden

If you've spent a lot of time and effort in making your garden into a relaxing and pleasing environment why not share this space with friends and family? With a little planning, the garden can be a perfect setting for a retro tea party that everyone will enjoy. 

Set the mood

If your catch up with friends tends to be more casual encounters then it can be good to let your friends know this event is a little more formal by sending a physical invite as well as an electronic invite. You can choose a theme that suits the party you want and let them know if you want people to pull out their fancy dresses and/or suits. Invitation can be printed at many party stores, or can purchase kits to help you make your own invites if you are the crafty type. 

Furniture and crockery

Most people don't have a generous amount of garden furniture, so this can be a good opportunity to call a party hire firm to organise a matching set of tables and chairs rather than using cobbled together sets of spare camping chairs and benching. Garden furniture often looks great in whites or natural wood tones.

To get a perfect retro vibe go for matching and delicate crockery and don't be afraid to pull out the more vivid floral items. A garden party can suit these bright shades, especially if they play off the natural tones and colours in your garden. Again if you don't have this at home you can always hire matching crockery from a party hire firm, or try a party store for some of the higher end disposable crockery items. 

The menu

Garden parties are often during the day and suit a relatively light menu. Finger food such as cucumber sandwiches and small quiches, as well as small petit fours for afters, can be ideal. To keep things as classy as possible it's good to avoid any food that needs dipping sauces or could otherwise drip on the lovely clothes your guests are wearing. 

While tea is the traditional beverage for a garden party, sometimes people prefer a cooler drink during the warmer Australian summer days. You can also try sparkling wines, soda waters, iced tea, sparkling apple juice or even some sneaky cocktails served in teapots!

A retro tea party is a great way to get your friends together and share in your beautiful garden setting.