Throughout the history of landscape design, garden designers have been creating beautiful gardens, designed for entertaining.
There isn't a country or culture that is more synonymous with the garden than the British. English landscapes are among the most beautiful and English gardens designed by Lancelot Brown to Gertrude Jekyll to Tom Stuart Smith are among the most bespoke gardens.
A Tip of the Hat to Garden Parties
With tea, cakes and a beautiful garden to stroll in, garden parties are a most relaxed way to enjoy and showcase them. In fact, every summer, The Queen hosts at least three at Buckingham Palace, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. Over 30,000 people attend.
Garden parties have been held at Buckingham Palace since the 1860s, when Queen Victoria (a rather conservative host) instituted what were known as 'breakfasts” (though they took place in the afternoon). In the 1950s the number of garden parties held at Buckingham Palace was increased from two to three a year. They took the place of presentation parties attended by debutantes, but have evolved into a way of rewarding and recognizing public service. They are attended by people from all walks of life.
Proper dress at a garden party is expected. Gentlemen wear morning dress or lounge suits, while women wear afternoon dress, usually with hats or fascinators.
How does one get invited??? Perhaps it begins with a finding a great hat!
If you want to know where to start, begin with The Teacup Milliner. If you just want to "make- believe" and dress up your Barbie's, they can assist you as well.
Happy shopping.
Slideshow 1, images from Getty/Slideshow 2, images from The Teacup Milliner
