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How To Set A Table for a Garden Party

Y’all know I love to entertain and when Mackenzie Childs asked me to set a Garden Party Table using their Avant Garden 2021 decor, I couldn’t wait.

Here’s how to set a table for a garden party using a combination of my vintage table decor and MacKenzie Childs Avant Garden 2021 Decor. To create a fun and interesting table setting, I decided the garden party would take place in my greenhouse. The center table would be the food station and mini bistro style tables for dining.

Who wants to go to a garden party? Doesn’t it sound like fun? What would you expect to see? Let’s take a look at my vision of a garden party.

This Post is Sponsored by MacKenzie Child


Table Setting Floral Arrangements

First, you must have flowers on all the tables at a garden party. To create some simple floral arrangements, let’s begin with the Flower Garden Galvanized Flower Buckets. I gathered fallen twigs from under my River Birch tree to help fill in the buckets. By the way, don’t plant a River Birch tree close to your house. They drop stems like crazy which will drive you crazy! LOL

Next, add the Courtly Pink Hydrangeas to the large bucket for the center table. With the twigs, I only needed two of these gorgeous stems.

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The Courtly Checkered Cosmos in pink were perfect for medium bucket on the bistro table. In addition, a garden party needs some live greenery on the tables. Since I was using the faux stems from MacKenzie Child, I combined them with some real plants.

Centerpiece Birdhouse

Although the center table is 8 foot long, it’s narrow. So instead of a traditional floral centerpiece, I choose to hang the Flyer Folly Birdhouse from the greenhouse chandelier. The pops of color are so fun and the birdhouse isn’t taking up limited table space. The chandelier was a DIY project from last spring and the details are on this post.

Setting the Serving table

To continue with the soft garden colors, the pink and lavender table runner that I used for Easter, was a perfect addition. Next, I added the DIY Table Riser to elevate items on the center table. To keep your tables from being flat and boring, use table risers, cake stands, candle holders and other items to create visual interest to tables. When using a tablecloth, you can use boxes underneath to vary the heights. See how to make this easy table riser here.

The table riser was perfect for holding vintage dishes and brass candleholders. The butterflies come in a set of three from MacKenzie Childs Field Collection.

Garden Party Serving Pieces

Although the Flower Garden Herb Pots are designed to hold herbs, I decided to use them to hold the cutlery for the table setting. They are gorgeous and the vintage cutlery enhances the beautiful detail on the pots and tray.

The Flower Garden collection is a combination of galvanized metal with antique brass details. To enhance the details I used a collection of vintage brass candlesticks and antique brass bird salt and pepper shakers. The candlesticks are intentionally left unpolished and each are in varying degrees of natural aging.

Natural greenery, in faux aged clay pots, was added to each table. See how to Age New Clay Pots here.

Bistro Table for Two

Because the center table is set as a buffet, a small bistro table was set up for dining. I used a vintage embroidered table cloth and pulled my DIY Scrap Flower Pillow from inside the house to add to the folding chair. The table cloth is embroidered with delicate pink flowers and is a perfect compliment the vintage floral dishes. I recently found these cute dishes for only 49 cents each while out Thrifting with the Gals.

I wanted coasters to protect my vintage tablecloth and decided to use some of my recently emptied seed packets. They were saved because they were too cute to throw away and I knew I’d find a use for them.


Additional Table Styling Ideas for Spring

Here are some additional Easter Decorating Ideas you may enjoy.

Mixing new items, such as the MacKenzie Child Avant Garden Collection with vintage table decor makes the table setting more interesting and unique. My friend Ann at Dabbling and Decorating feels the same and she’s sharing how she mixes her Avant Garden items into her vintage style outdoor area. You can see more of Ann’s gorgeous style here. Plus, join us every Wednesday for Thrifting with the Gals on Instagram Stories and look for our latest tips and ideas on Thursday’s Blog.

Susan

Sunday 30th of July 2023

I LOVE the seed packet coasters. My kitchen is seed packet themed. Did you do anything to them to protect them from condensation?

Rachel

Monday 31st of July 2023

Susan, I would add a coat of matt mod podge to protect them.

Angie

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Your garden party tables and decor are enchanting. The tables and chandelier are lovely.

Rachel

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Angie, I'm so glad you like this.

Karins Kottage

Thursday 20th of May 2021

Rachel this is so beautiful! When can I come over and enjoy it? :) Wow all the details are just amazing! Please come link this up to Centerpiece Wednesday on my blog this just needs to be shared :) https://karinskottage.com/2021/05/welcome-to-centerpiece-wednesday-linky-party-223.html

Hugs, Karin

Va in NC

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

Lovely, and just the perfect spot in the greenhouse!

[email protected]

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

Thanks so much.

Andrea

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

What an amazing garden table. I've never heard of MacKenzie Child, but I can't wait to go check it out.

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Tuesday 18th of May 2021

Andrea, Thanks so much Andrea! You are so sweet.