How to remain a cool, calm and collected garden party host - even during the heatwave

There’s something about a UK heatwave that makes us all want to throw a garden soirée. The longer days, the golden hours, the pretty sunsets; all of which just beg for us to get outside and share alfresco moments with friends and family. 

But whilst the sunshine is welcomed, the heat and humidity tend to make a lot of hosts nervous. Will guests be too hot? How do you keep drinks chilled? What’s the best garden furniture for providing shade and comfort?

The good news is, hosting during a heatwave doesn’t need to be stressful. In this guide, we answer all these questions and more, as we share our top tips on how to throw a chic garden party and impress your guests, without melting under the pressure. We’ll also share our favourite garden furniture pieces to elevate your outdoor space.

Garden party hosting tips for a heatwave

Ready to up your hosting game? Here are our five best-kept secrets that go beyond the basics, ensuring you and your guests don’t break a sweat.

1. Cold flannels on arrival 

Make an impression from the start and serve your guests a cold flannel when they arrive. Not only does this add some theatre to your event, but it’s a tried and true way (often seen in spas and fancy gyms) to instantly cool down. Simply instruct your guests to hold the towel against their wrists, neck or any other pressure points and enjoy the cold relief. 

To prepare, follow these easy steps:

1. Take some clean flannels (one for each guest)

2. Run the flannels under a cold tap

3. Squeeze out the excess water

4. Roll up and place neatly on a tray or platter

5. Pop in the fridge approximately 1 hour before your party

6. When guests arrive, present the tray with some tongs to distribute the flannels

Top tip: To elevate the experience one step further, add a couple of drops of essential oils (such as soothing lavender) for a moment of peace. Just divine! 

2. Set up a shaded drinks station

Now, for your refreshments. Keeping drinks cool is an essential part of a successful garden party, but the heat can cause some hosts to panic. The trick is to set up a stylish drinks station in a shady part of your garden to keep out of direct sunlight. Fill a large container (we like a classic silver planter style) with lots and lots of ice. Now, slot in your drinks bottles of choice to keep them nice and chilled. Keep any reserve bottles in the fridge until you need them. 

To add some pizzazz to your drinks station, consider decorating with some flowers, adding bowls of garnish (like lemon and lime wedges), chic cocktail napkins, and straws. Make sure to line up glasses for your guests so they can grab a drink as and when they filter in. 

3. Give your party an elegant theme

Everybody loves a themed soirée. Even if it’s subtle, adding little nods to a theme throughout your garden is what takes an event from average to elevated. Plus, when you commit to a theme, it’s even easier to stick to a colour palette or particular decorating style. 

For example, if you’re celebrating the Wimbledon season, you could add touches of green and white around your outdoor space and decorate the table with preppy, striped tablecloths and matching napkins. Or, for a Mamma Mia-themed gathering, you could turn your garden into a Greek-inspired oasis with blue and white tablescaping, fuchsia flowers, and string lights strategically hung across your outdoor space. 

3. Serve light, summery recipes

The best summer party recipes are simple yet well-thought-out. Nobody wants to be digging into a hearty meal during a heatwave, so think about serving light bites that work well in the heat instead. We’re talking refreshing salads, canapé-sized bites, crisps and dips. All of these make for easy grazing at a garden party. All hail the picky bits!

Best garden party dishes to serve during a heatwave

• Grilled peach and burrata salad - Arguably the ultimate summer salad, this one is a colourful, taste explosion of sweet and saltiness. 

• Feta and olive checkerboard plate - Easy to put together and looks so aesthetic, simply create a checkerboard design with cubes of feta and large green olives. 

• Greek salad with a twist - Gather your classic Greek salad ingredients and embellish with lightly pickled red onions and lots of capers for extra zing. 

• Caprese salad - A simple arrangement of sliced heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. Make sure to drizzle with some high-quality olive oil to finish.

• Houmous and tzatziki - Whether homemade or store bought, everybody loves a crisp and dip moment. You could also serve with elegant seeded crackers, cucumber, and carrot sticks for different dipping. 

• Watermelon and feta salad - Another perfect pairing here, contrast tangy cubes of feta with fresh watermelon for a refreshing summer salad. 

• Creamy courgette puff pastry tart - A veggie favourite and super simple to make, all you need is some puff pastry, courgettes, goat’s cheese and red onion. Make sure to drizzle with a balsamic glaze to complete the dish. 

Top tip: Consider your theme when designing your garden party menu. Hosting a Swedish midsummer celebration? Give a Scandi nod with some salmon canapés, meatballs and delicious cardamom buns. Or, if you’re throwing a World Cup garden party, consider a fusion of your favourite global influences, from Canadian maple sweet treats to Moroccan couscous and tagine. 

4. Choose a seasonal dessert

It wouldn’t be a garden party without something sweet - and nothing says summer soirée quite like a classic pavlova. It’s light, seasonal, and perfect for a hot and sticky summer’s day.

The best news? It’s quick and easy to make. Simply whip some egg whites and caster sugar together and pop into the oven until the outside is hard, but still white. Top with strawberries, since they’re in season, or with any other berries you wish, such as raspberries, blueberries, or pomegranate seeds. To finish, dust with some icing sugar and add a few sprigs of mint, in true Mary Berry fashion. Hats off to the chef… 

5. Provide paper fans - a personal touch that your guests will love

It’s the little touches that people remember. To go above and beyond, give each guest their own paper fan. Not only do they help keep people cool whilst they stand and chat in the garden, but they look cute too. 

Choose white for a classy look, or opt for colourful designs if you’re working with a theme. For a really special touch, you could get each fan personalised with guests’ names or the date of your event, so they have a special keepsake to take home with them forever. Adorable!

Garden furniture ideas for hosts

Now you’re equipped with our heatwave hosting tips, it’s important to check that you’ve got the basics sorted with the right furniture. Here are our most popular garden furniture pieces for regular outdoor entertainers… 

Invest in a BBQ to show off your cooking skills to your guests 

It wouldn’t be a classic British garden party without a BBQ. A heatwave is the perfect opportunity to show off your outdoor cooking skills. Here at Atkin and Thyme, our professional BBQ grills are designed to make at-home grilling a breeze. Featuring clever Grillstream double grill cooking systems, hybrid technology for versatile cooking, and plenty of accessories, you’ll have everything you need and more to impress your visitors. 

Top tip: Whilst some heatwave BBQs may be spontaneous, if you’re planning ahead, make sure to clean your BBQ well in advance to avoid any last-minute, panicked scrubbing. Preparation is everything! 

Provide shade with an elegant parasol

Particularly when temperatures soar into the 30s, providing shade for your guests is essential. Whilst UK weather is unpredictable, we can pretty much expect a heatwave at some point during the summer every single year. That’s why investing in a good-quality parasol that you can whip out for the heat (and hide back away in the shed or garage for the rest of the year) is very useful. 

Choose a classic umbrella-style parasol, like our Savannah 1.8m Wood-Effect Parasol, which pairs perfectly with classic garden dining sets. Or, for something a little more modern, opt for an angled parasol, like our Savannah 3m Wood-Effect Cantilever Parasol - Oak, which can elegantly lean over garden lounge furniture. Who says sensible can’t be chic?

Install a pergola for permanent privacy

For the more regular outdoor hosts, a luxury garden pergola is a fabulous choice. Adding instant structure, a contemporary pergola offers a permanently shady, enclosed space, ideal for entertaining during a heatwave. 

What’s more, investing in a piece like our Savannah Pergola means that you can optimise your pergola for different weather conditions. Simply adjust the roof slats and side walls to let in different degrees of shade and air ventilation. Perfect for unpredictable British summers!

Allow your guests to sit back and relax in a garden lounger

For laid-back garden summer parties, we’d recommend a luxury garden sofa. Perfect for creating a relaxed, living room ambience in your outdoor space, garden sofas invite guests to settle in and get comfy. Our Gabriela Corner Lounge Dining Set with Lounge Chair is the ideal choice, thanks to its elegant L-shaped sofa, ample seating, and matching table for drinks and nibbles to rest on.

Invest in a large outdoor dining set for alfresco feasts

Perhaps you host a monthly supper club? Or maybe you’re the central hub for all the family gatherings. Whatever your reasoning, investing in a large outdoor dining table and chairs set is a superior choice for regular garden hosts. 

With a large outdoor table, like our Savannah 8-10 Seat 2m Extending Dining Set, you have the perfect excuse to make the most of the heatwave and invite the whole clan over for an alfresco dinner. 

There’s no need to panic when a heatwave rolls around. With these expert tips and garden furniture inspiration, you’ll have everything you need to be a top host and throw the chicest - and coolest - summer garden party. Now all that’s left to do is sit and wait for the RSVP’s to flood in…