Wimbledon will always be part of a quintessentially British summer. Make the most of it this year by throwing a Wimbledon style garden party in the comfort of your own garden.
Wimbledon is the oldest grand slam in tennis and the grounds boast a fantastic history. For example, during World War II, tennis was halted at Wimbledon, however, the grounds remained in use for civil defence by the fire and ambulance services and the Home Guard.
And what about the trophies? Have you ever noticed the pineapple on the top of the trophy? Yes, there really is a pineapple, and there’s a really good reason why. Back in the 17th century, pineapples were very rare in England and consequently very expensive. Because of this, they became a symbol of significant wealth as the crowing fruit of only the most extravagant feasts. The women’s trophy on the other hand is the rather beautiful Venus Rosewater Dish, which doesn’t have a pineapple on it and instead looks like the most luxurious piece of serving ware.
Preparations
Before your garden party, make sure to get your garden looking beautiful. The green grass on the Wimbledon courts takes months to prepare, so whilst you may not have that long, get the lawn mower out.
For decoration, keep it simple. Traditionally, players would wear all-white, however whilst that rule has now been relaxed, it would certainly be a good way to go with decoration. Make sure to add some summer colour too with yellow and green.
If you fancy, you could even have a dress code. Dress like the Royals on Centre Court with summer dresses and suits for a posh garden party. Or, you could get your guests to come dressed in all white or sports luxe clothing.
Food and Drink
Try and keep it simple when it comes to food and drink so you can spend as much time socialising with your guests, and watching the tennis. The classic summer drink of Pimms is always popular at Wimbledon, so is a must-have for your garden party. Serve with lemonade and lots of fresh fruits like strawberries and cucumber for a refreshing tipple.
Gin is another favourite at Wimbledon so keep the gin and tonics flowing. You could even serve a gin cocktail to your guests if you fancy. But if you’re doing a party during The Finals, there’s only one thing to serve, and that’s champagne!
When it comes to food, whatever you choose to serve your guests as a main meal, make sure you don’t forget the strawberries and cream for dessert. Over Wimbledon fortnight, an incredible 28,000 kg of strawberries and 7,000 litres of whipped cream are are consumed. Chop your strawberries in half and serve with lots of whipped cream. You could even crumble up some meringue to make a quick and easy Eton Mess.
The Perfect Set Up
At any garden party, you need the right outside furniture to make your guests comfortable. An outdoor table is a staple in any garden, especially if you love to entertain. Try and find a table which is big enough for the typical number of guests you would be serving outside. However, at a Wimbledon garden party you may find guests wondering off to watch the tennis and not sat at your beautiful new table at all!
When it comes to outdoor seating, invest in a beautiful outdoor sofa which is perfect for garden parties. Not only do they add sophistication and comfort to your garden, but they are also really practical too when you have a lot of guests. A rattan sofa is a great idea as they are weatherproof and look super stylish. Allow your guests to relax and with a glass of Pimms in hand whilst you finish off in the kitchen, or at the BBQ.
You could even go all out with a garden sofa set for all your guests to sit and chat, which is made even better if the position means you can see the Wimbledon action on the TV! If this isn’t an option, bring your laptop or tablet into the garden so you can sit outside without missing out.
For more inspiration, take a look at the garden furniture available on the Modish Living website, or get in touch with one of our team members for more information.