My 30th Birthday BBQ

To celebrate my 30th Birthday over the weekend I threw a small BBQ party in my garden. The weather had been glorious all week but come the weekend rain was predicted. Never fear! I had a plan!

I have an extendable awning for over the patio and I stretched a shade sail over the lawn to provide an even bigger canopy propped up with a pole in the middle and anchored to the fence posts on the corners. This way most of my garden was sheltered and I could happily set up everything under cover in case of rain! A few shower curtains filled the gaps over the food and drink stations.

I set up a little bar so people could help themselves to drinks throughout the evening. I am so in love with the drinks dispensers! I set them on cake tins to give them a bit of elevation. I also went the plastic and paper cup route. No point in crying over smashed glass!

I went to town on the flowers and decorations! A few sawn pallets stacked up made a nice little coffee table on the lawn (and helped to stablise the pole!) My flower arrangements were made up of peonies, roses, rhododendrons, chrysanthemums and sweet william with rosemary for greenery and fragrance.

I had plenty of seating set up so people could suit themselves and lots of cushions and blankets to keep everyone comfortable.

Darcy got a little bit overwhelmed by all of the people but he soon bounced back and mingled with the guests stealing bits of BBQ!

I got all crafty for this shindig too! A polystyrene wreath covered in cocktail umbrellas decorated the front door to greet my guests.

I cut out letters from black posterboard and then covered it in gold glitter paint for the ANNA 30! and DRINKS signs.

I kept things nice and simple and self service through the night. I had got Tesco Bumper Party Bags of BBQ food, which were excellent value and had everything you could need! Everything got cooked in the oven and then served buffet style. Paper plates and pink plastic cutlery meant that at the end of the night cleanup was simple!