The Brief
A Family Garden Party
A big family garden party was the perfect way to bring everyone together for a double celebration – a 50th birthday and a wedding that had taken place earlier in the summer.
Our clients wanted something relaxed, inclusive and full of personality. Not a formal sit-down affair, but a joyful family garden party that felt more like a festival than a traditional party. Somewhere guests of all ages could wander, play, relax and reconnect.
The garden itself offered plenty of space, but the challenge was turning it into something that felt special rather than simply a gathering outdoors. Our brief was clear: create an atmosphere that felt warm, welcoming and full of easy-going charm, while still delivering a well-produced experience that would carry the celebrations from afternoon into night.
The Solution
We approached the family garden party as a mini festival. A space designed for lingering, laughter and shared moments.
The garden was transformed into a relaxed festival field, complete with funfair-style side stalls that encouraged guests to get involved from the moment they arrived. Straw bales provided informal seating, layered with rugs and cushions to create comfortable chill-out areas throughout the space.
Oak barrels doubled as tables, while colourful festival flags, bunting, lanterns and candlelight added texture and warmth. Every detail was chosen to feel rustic and unfussy, creating a family garden party that was stylish but never overworked.
From the start, the layout was designed to encourage movement and exploration. Rather than anchoring guests to one area, the garden flowed naturally between social spaces, games, seating and the main entertainment area.
As the afternoon unfolded, guests settled into the rhythm of the family garden party, catching up over drinks, enjoying the games and soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. It was the kind of environment where children could roam freely and adults could genuinely switch off.
Because the family garden party was designed to run from late afternoon into the night, lighting played a crucial role.
As the sun began to set, intelligent colour wash lighting was introduced to subtly transform the space. Trees, hedges and key features were lit to create depth and atmosphere, giving the garden a whole new energy as evening approached.
A clear span marquee provided shelter and a focal point for the night-time celebrations, while still allowing guests to enjoy views back out into the illuminated garden. From inside the marquee, the lighting created a stunning backdrop that made the outdoor space feel just as alive after dark.
Music sat at the heart of the family garden party experience.
A top DJ kept the energy building throughout the evening, reading the crowd and ensuring the dancefloor stayed busy as the night went on. Alongside this, a live band made up of exceptionally talented musicians and singers performed two sets, bringing a sense of occasion and shared excitement to the celebration.
The combination of live music and DJ created variety and pace, allowing the family garden party to evolve naturally from relaxed daytime gathering to full evening celebration.
Behind the scenes, our team were managing every detail. From coordinating suppliers and managing timings to overseeing lighting cues and entertainment transitions, we ensured the family garden party ran smoothly from start to finish.
This meant our clients were free to enjoy the celebrations fully, confident that everything was being taken care of without fuss or interruption.
The Result
The finished family garden party struck exactly the right balance. It felt generous, joyful and deeply personal, without ever feeling overproduced.
Guests stayed long into the night, moving between the dancefloor, the marquee and the garden, enjoying the freedom and ease of the space. The combination of thoughtful styling, great music and relaxed flow created an atmosphere where memories were made effortlessly.
For our clients, it was the perfect way to mark two significant moments in one meaningful celebration. And for their guests, it was a family garden party that felt warm, inclusive and unforgettable.
