How do you make a party unforgettable?

[InTheNameOfAllThatIsHonest]

We love having friends over and regularly entertain. We want to have a party this summer to get all our friends and family together since we haven't really had a proper get together since Covid started, and want it to be truly special. We will have caterers, a face painter, a magician, and a DJ. The party will be in our garden and there will be 40 to 50 of us. Dress code will be cocktail dresses and equivalent for the men.

Can I ask what you'd recommend to make this party extra special? Yes of course the people are what matters most but, besides that, what would you say makes a party really fun and one everyone will think back fondly to? We are in the UK, so hopefully the weather will cooperate - thank you!

For me, dress codes and a magician would be enough to make me decline an invite. Plenty of food and drink would be welcome!

I take it the magician and face paint are for the kids? If there are kids there, and it's outside, I'm not sure if cocktail dress is the right attire? I would probably grump about having to get so dressed up but have to watch my kid too.

Face painter for the kids?

Fireworks and the chance to camp/glamp/have a campfire.

I agree about the dress code thing. Garden parties and a dress code don't go IMHO

Bin the dress code.

The best parties I've been to are ones where its really relaxed and there's no dress code. Anything where I have to fret / spend money on shoes that go with a dress but also work outdoors is a no no and I would mostly be dreading it. A casual, sitting around on hay bales, with music and maybe some of those oversized games to play would be a better bet I think.

Our family threw loads of parties, decent music, good food (we tended to just order loads of pizzas from the local pizza place), some kind of drink that was popular, like jelly shots or a very alcoholic punch. Our parties were legendary when we were teenagers

@Gargellen

Fireworks and the chance to camp/glamp/have a campfire.

I agree about the dress code thing. Garden parties and a dress code don't go IMHO

Yes this would be great!

Cocktail sounds tricky as dress code, maybe one level under that so summer dresses with flat shoes if preferred

Lots of champagne always helps

Nice twinkly lighting when it gets dark

Unless your garden is paved or decked, then cocktail dresses (and the accompanying high heels) aren't going to work.

Don't forget to invite the neighbours if you have any - a garden party with a DJ is going to be loud.

I'd have an outside bar with hired bartender (drinks are free obviously) and a firepit to keep everyone warm, plus a gazebo or two in case of inclement weather.

Plenty of food, loads of booze and some good music to dance to will make it memorable. What food are the caterers providing?

A barn dance band with a caller and lots of booze to get people in the mood for dancing!

Really relaxed, BBQ or similar food, no dress code, plenty of drinks, plenty of seats and tables so you aren't standing around too much, festival type decorations (bunting etc), cover for if it rains, maybe some games like giant jenga etc. Music more in the background than for dancing to, the main purpose of a party is to chat.

I’d also ditch the dress code - that can make your guests feel really anxious about getting it right and feel like they have to buy something new.

What about a signature welcome drink??

I like a party with plenty to eat ;and stuff that is easy to eat ) and not too crowded.

How do you make a party unforgettable?
Is this in case there is an inquiry?

High heels and lawns don’t mix. How about a floaty dresses / Henley theme? And hire a marquee, a heater and faux fur throws for when it’s 15 degrees and rainy.

How about some live music just in the corner of the garden as guests arrive and mingling starts. Small jazz trio or fiddle players etc...needn't be too expensive...music students often do this kind of thing for a reasonable cost. Creates a really relaxed atmosphere and I always remember live music afterwards. Then move onto DJ after an hour or so.

I would definitely prefer live music to a magician.

Not inviting kids would make it better for me

I am a party Queen, I love a party. I love to dress up and put on a dress and some makeup. But I hate a dress code. Cocktail dress or a theme makes me cringe. And not a magician. So those 2 things of yours don't appeal to me.

I don't really see the point of the magician, I've been at parties where there has been one wandering around doing tricks and it's just sort of awkward, you are chatting away and all of the sudden someone is shoving a pack of cards under your nose and telling you to pick one. Honestly the most memorable parties for me have been the ones where there are loads of friends and/or family and no enforced activity eg dancing.

Sounds wonderful to me. As long as there is somewhere to go in bad weather. A cocktail bar would be amazing - doesn't have to be unlimited....just to provide a couple of drinks each.

Scrap the magician. And the dress code. Gazebos and a fire pit plus blankets for later. Live music better.

I agree with everyone who has said drop the dress code.

W

Fireworks, unless it's the 5th of November or NY, are really a pain for those of us with nervous pets.

It will depend on your friends but the initial post sounds posher than bales & booze.