Budget Backyard Garden Party Ideas that Don’t Look Cheap

I love hosting casual get-togethers outside during the Summer months, and it’s even more fun and challenging to make them look beautiful on a budget. Want to throw a little backyard garden party on a budget? Bring elegance to your outdoor gathering with these inexpensive backyard garden party ideas.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Brita. As always, all of the opinions here are my own.

Decorate with free garden flowers

Lilacs are in bloom at our house right now, so I used them as my inspiration and most of the garden party decorations for this little setup on my porch. I love how lilacs look, how they smell, and the addition of fresh flowers to any party will always make it feel elegant.

Use whatever flowers you have blooming at the moment and put them in small jars or vases on your table. Even one or two blooms will make an impact! You can use a larger bunch of garden flowers in a vase as a centerpiece, or divide your flowers into smaller arrangements to add to mason jars at each individual setting.

Keep the menu simple

Whether we have an elaborate meal or plain ol’ hamburgers, it’s always a fun time when we eat together outside with neighbours and friends. By keeping your garden party menu simple, you’ll help save some stress in the preparation and be able to enjoy the moment more easily.

For this sweet garden party setup, I bought cupcakes from the grocery store. I made them look special by adding blackberries and garden lilacs on top. A bit of garnish goes a long way! They look beautiful, but they were so easy to prepare. You could so something similar with any of your favourite berries and edible flowers for an impressive-looking dessert that’s so easy to make!

Serve filtered water in a pretty pitcher

Everyone loves clean, great-tasting water to drink and you can elevate it by serving it in a beautiful pitcher you’ve decorated yourself. This summer, you can be inspired while staying hydrated with Brita’s Pitchers by decorating them to match your personality and decor!

For a limited time, two free paint markers will be included with the purchase of select Brita Pitchers. This makes it easy to personalize with beautiful art that can match your summer decor. For my party, I drew some lilacs on my Brita Pitcher to tie into my fresh and elegant lilac theme.

Rather than serving up fancy and expensive cocktails, a beautiful pitcher of water will be appreciated by all of your guests. Use glassware that matches your backyard party colours for a thoughtful touch. My drinking glasses are from Walmart years ago and I love the colour and texture!

Use inexpensive paper plates & napkins in fun colours

I love using paper plates and napkins for outdoor parties because you can’t break them and they’re not expensive. Look for plates and napkins in colours and patterns that match your garden party theme online and at discount party stores. I found my gorgeous paper plates on Amazon and I loved the floral & gold design that made them feel so fun & elegant.

Choosing a colour scheme of 2 or 3 summery colours and sticking to it is an easy way to make an inexpensive garden party tablescape look elevated. For my party, I’m using shades of teal green, pink and purple inspired by my garden flowers.

Add mood lighting with candles & twinkle lights

You might have noticed that I love to include string lights & candles in almost all of my decor, but I they’re especially important for an outdoor dining situation. A few inexpensive tea lights in glass votive holders will add instant sparkle to your garden party. Stringing lights from your porch or patio ceiling and using sparkling fairy lights in lanterns on your table will make your party feel special and warm.

Don’t forget the cozy textiles

As evening fades into night, your guests may want something to stay warm. Ensuring that your patio, deck, or porch has ample cozy cushions and blankets will help keep your guests comfortable. Lots of various textiles in a multitude of textures will also help make your outdoor space look inviting. Floor pillows are another fun element you could add to your outdoor party setup!

Easy garden party recipes

Here are some ideas for simple dishes you could make and serve at your outdoor party:

• My Favourite DIY Salad: Spinach, Apple, Goat Cheese & Pecan
• Jarcuteries (single serve charcuterie in jars!)
• Strawberry & Lavender Scones with a selection of jams
• Mediterranean Charcuterie Board for Summer

Keep the entertainment simple

When it comes to keep your guests entertained, you don’t need to plan anything over the top. Simple lawn games like croquet or cornhole are always a hit with adults and kids alike. We love bocce ball (here’s how we made a bocce ball court!), and it’s one of those outdoor games that the whole family can enjoy.

These simple ideas will help make your garden party gorgeous & elegant this summer while keeping it under budget. I can’t wait to have friends over this season and enjoy each other’s company while dining outside together!

If you pick up a Brita Pitcher with paint markers this season (available at Walmart and Walmart.ca), make sure to decorate it and share your creation on social media with the hashtag #ThisIsMyBrita. I’d love to see what you come up with to match your outdoor party decor this year!

Now tell me: What are your garden party must-haves?

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