Today’s entertainment post is the first party we’ve featured on Rock My Style and it’s a true feast for the eyes. Lucy MacNicoll is a talented florist and she recently threw a 40th birthday bash for her husband in their glorious back garden.
Even though it’s nearing the end of summer there are lots of elements from this beautiful garden party that could be incorporated into your next celebration.

I would love to host a shindig in my garden next Autumn for our anniversary but when it comes down to it I’m a bit overwhelmed by the idea of catering for so many people at home. However the hosts had a genius idea of hiring a ‘Pizza Pod’ – a mobile wood burning oven providing fresh pizzas for guests!
Lucy and Gary also hired a Pimms Bus which is quite frankly amazing and looks like a whole load of fun. Over to Lucy for more of the details….

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Fed and Watered

“We hired the Pimms Bus through The Bus Business. We thought this would make a great welcome to guests as they arrived and it fitted very well with the garden party theme. It also doubled up as a bar and seating area upstairs, where guests could over look the rest of the party. It was parked in our drive way and we attached sail shades from the house up to the bus to create a relaxed seating area for guests and also protect them from any rain! We had lots that day and it finally stopped at 7pm just before guests arrived.

Home and Dry

We wanted an undercover area for the dance floor and seating for guests. After seeing the amazing new Sperry tents from PapaKåta, the pretty 6x6m garden Sperry was the perfect choice! We hung strings of festoon lights around the sides of the tent and along the entrance to add to the party feel.

Decor

There of course had to be flowers! I created displays for key areas in a palette of white and green, with accents of silver from the vases. At the entrance to the party I filled a wooden crate with flowers to accompany the large blackboard with welcome message. In the Sperry tent I created a floral garland entwined around the central pole. I also designed a large unstructured urn feature with white Hydrangeas and trailing green Amaranthus. The tables were dotted with low designs of Peonies, Roses and Hydrangea.

Entertaining the Troops

We began planning and booking suppliers 6 months before the party as working in the industry I know how quickly companies can get booked up.
We booked Miss Casino and positioned the tables inside our kitchen/living space. We also had a dance floor, sound system and lighting. I also arranged for a singer, the fabulous Val Boyers with her beautiful voice and guitar to perform while guests arrived.

Scent

The party was scented with the amazing organic candles by NEOM. We dotted them around the tables and used them inside the house to fill the party with my favourite ‘happiness’ scent. ”

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{The Particulars}

Who: 80 family and friends. Lots of guests travelled from Scotland and London.
Where: Garden party at home in Knaresborough, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
When: End of May Bank Holiday Weekend. 7.30pm till late.

{The Tent}

The Sperry tent is hand crafted from oyster sailcloth, with a beautiful peak topped with a nautical flag. The outline of the canopy and flag could be seen down the road, peaking above the hedges! The tent was lit by brass cape cod lanterns, adding a subtle nautical accent, along with strings of festoons.

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I’m still thinking about the pizza oven, and the Pimms bus, not to mention the scent of those beautiful blooms and candles…. A fabulous party don’t you agree?