How to host a garden party fit for royalty – Expert advice from Nick Ede
The King and Queen came and went in the US, kicking off their visit with a garden party and finalizing their tour on 30 April, 2026. We were so inspired at Cafe Casino HQ that we decided to chat with Royal Fashion Expert Nick Ede on how to host a garden party for summer, including our own DIY tips on being the hostess with the mostest.
Creating the right atmosphere
Color Scheme
We asked Nick what colors would work best for a garden party. This is what he had to say:
“The garden setting is essentially a canvas of greens, so you want colors that sing against that backdrop rather than clash or disappear. Soft florals blush, lilac, soft coral look absolutely luminous in natural light. Bold jewel tones like cobalt blue, deep violet, or rich teal create a wonderful contrast. Pale yellow and ivory can be stunning against green grass and blue skies. What I love about the garden party palette is that it allows for genuine warmth and femininity, these are colours that feel celebratory and optimistic, which is exactly right for the occasion.”
Music
You can find playlists on Spotify “Cocktail party jazz”, “POV ur blow drying your hair”, “It’s an olivia dean, Fleetwood mac type summer”, “Witchy hippie songs” – Please choose the one that best applies to you and your party. You can make it as weird and wonderful as you want.
Games & Entertainment
Giant Jenga
Nothing says garden party like giant Jenga. Heck, even regular-sized Jenga will do. No need to spend ages explaining the rules, it’s a pretty intuitive game, with minimal mess.
A trusty deck of cards
A trusty deck of 52 cards can never do you wrong. From Snap, to Go Fish, and even a round of Poker – a deck of cards provides hours of fun.
Break out the Twister Mat
This really helps in bringing friends closer together. Literally. Nothing breaks the ice like a knee in an armpit. Top tip: appoint an impartial referee to spot any cheats (I see you hovering your foot above red).
Host a craps table (with our tips)
Turn your garden into an outdoor casino and host one of the most dynamic casino games there is – craps. Everything about craps screams “social game,” from the good-hearted shouting to the razzing of players using the dark side strategy, to the ritual of blowing on dice. See our guide on playing craps at home.
Dress Code
Nick says that the unwritten dress code of a Royal Garden Party is really about elegant restraint with a touch of personality. Think smart, elegant day wear midi or maxi dresses for women in florals, pastels, or classic neutrals, paired with a hat or fascinator, and closed-toe shoes. He reminds us that a garden party is “quintessentially British” and not a “Coachella photo-op”.
How much should a garden party outfit cost?
“For the senior royals, a garden party outfit including the dress or suit, hat, shoes, and accessories could easily represent an investment of anywhere between £3,000 and £15,000 or more, depending on whether the piece is bespoke or ready-to-wear. A Philip Treacy hat alone could be £1,500 to £3,000. However, this needs to be understood in context these are often pieces worn multiple times over years or decades, and many are created in partnership with British designers who benefit enormously from the royal association. The cost-per-wear across a lifetime of public service makes these far more defensible investments than a celebrity wearing something once for a red carpet.”
Ouch! For those who can’t afford that much on a hat, Nick says you can always search on Etsy and get your very own hat commissioned “at a very reasonable price.” We’ll let you decide what “reasonable” means.
And you can always decide to completely forgo the hat and go on a trip to Vegas instead for the same cost.
Ditch the designer?
“I knew Meghan before she joined the royal family. She was always meticulously put-together, incredibly warm, and had a natural understanding of the power of presentation. We used to go shopping together and sometimes it would be Selfridges and other times we would pick pieces up from Zara! She knew that how you look communicates something to the world before you’ve said a word, and she was thoughtful and deliberate about that. Fashionably, she was already a master of polished, accessible elegance she didn’t need designer labels to look like a star.”
Nick emphasizes that Kate even wears jewelry that costs as little as $10. Princess Kate has been spotted wearing a pair of ASOS earrings for $13 several times now, proving that you don’t have to break the bank to look like royalty.
“Those ASOS earrings are one of my favorite examples of how royal fashion has evolved. Kate wearing high street accessories isn’t just a charming personal quirk it’s a very deliberate and extremely effective brand statement. It says: ‘I understand your world, I shop where you shop, I am not entirely removed from ordinary life.’ The ‘Kate Effect’ on high street pieces is extraordinary those earrings sold out globally within hours. The expectation of exclusively expensive royal fashion is absolutely diminishing, and I think that’s wonderful. What remains non-negotiable is quality of fit, appropriateness of occasion, and authenticity of choice. How much it costs is increasingly irrelevant.”
Food
Thanks for all your advice, Nick, but we’ve got it covered from here. We like to think that when it comes to food (and gaming) Cafe Casino knows best. And unfortunately, since we’re not royalty with butlers and chefs to ensure a party like this goes smoothly, we have to make everything from scratch. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. Check out our Pinterest board with lots of easy foodie ideas of what you can make:
“Entertaining isn’t about creating a magazine-worthy tablescape or pulling off a flawless dinner. It’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and creating a moment that feels warm, uncomplicated, and deeply familiar,” Chef Eric James says about hosting and creating a menu for loved ones. Let’s go through some ways on how to go about this.
Create A Simplified Menu
Don’t overcomplicate it. Who says that simple has to be boring? Definitely not us. The idea is to create several star dishes that people can graze on throughout the course of the party. Let guests help themselves, don’t stress yourself out with having to serve them. Bonus points if you choose dishes you can prepare the day beforehand.
Here’s some minimum-effort-maximum-wow snack ideas to help get you started:
Butter Matcha Dates:
Fried Pickle Dip:
Orange Mojito:
Extra Tips
Want your garden party to be ultra-chic? Take a leaf out of Met Gala Host Anna Wintour’s book and ban onions, garlic, chives and bruschetta to avoid any mishaps. Sure, your food may not taste as good but now you’ve de-escalated the risk of Sarah getting chives stuck in her teeth and nobody telling her for the rest of the day.
Don’t try anything new – go for tried and tested formulas. Nobody wants to pretend they like Rachel’s English Trifle, complete with strawberries and cream…and beef.
Rounding Off
You can make a garden party feel elevated and regal with a few simple tricks, and you most definitely do not have to break the bank to make guests feel that way. Small details go a long way in impressing guests. Just don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re there to connect with the people you invite.