Here’s how to throw a high-society Bridgerton garden party

Season three of Bridgerton has finally arrived so while we wait for the second half to release in June (like everyone else, we definitely binged the first part!) here's how to throw a sensational Bridgerton garden party. Send out a (handwritten) invitation to the social event of the season, glam up your patio, don your finest, and get ready to utter the rather fabulous words of Lady Violet Bridgerton: “Is this not lovely? All of us together again.”

If you've been watching Bridgerton, you'll know that the Netflix show follows the fortunes of the rich and beautiful Bridgerton children, and their friends the Featheringtons, as they navigate the Regency-era marriage market. So it'll come as no surprise that 'Regencycore' both in and out of the home is having a moment. Expect regal maximalism at its best with trailing florals, romantic pastels (including the classic Bridgerton blue), and a sprinkling of opulent grandeur.

But how do you translate that outdoors for the ultimate Bridgerton garden party? Ali Wooldridge, co-founder of luxury garden furniture company, Gardenesque, has the answer. “The trend is characterised by climbing flowers, follies, fringing, and intricately detailed water features that create peace and romance within a garden. Whilst it sounds complex, it is simple to replicate the Bridgerton style at home, even in the smallest of gardens, through a few additions.”

You can also take inspiration from The Bridgerton Garden, designed by Holly Johnstone, which featured at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year. It's an ode to Penelope Featherington, our leading lady of season three, that reflects her wallflower-like character beginning to bloom in the show - no spoilers!

How to throw a Bridgerton garden party

The gardens in Bridgerton are grand, with giant wisteria, a box hedge maze, and cascading fountains. But the good news is that you don’t need a stately home to recreate early 19th-century ambience in your garden. Here are some hints and tips for creating a Bridgerton garden party, whether it's to celebrate a special occasion or just because.

Create a floral fantasy

A ‘Bridgertonesque’ garden or courtyard isn't complete without its climbing flowers. They instantly elevate your garden wall or fence to an elegant feature with a divine scent for extra decadence.

Ali suggests using roses on your climbers for the ultimate regency style, and adds, “Place your climber within a corner of your garden to create a beautiful nook, or centralise it to make the climber and flowers the focal point of your garden.”

But if you want a quick win, you can buy artificial garlands online which will instantly transform your garden to the Regency-era without the need for gardening gloves.

Add some symmetry

The key to Regency greenery is simple – it’s all about symmetry. Create a central DIY walkway along your lawn with garden stakes hung with solar lanterns, and rearrange your pots (ideally terracotta) on either side. Much like the entrance to Queen Charlotte's Ball, your lucky guests will feel like they're entering the presence of royalty.

Create tranquillity with a water feature

It feels like no Regency-era garden is complete without some sort of tranquil water feature, whether that be an elegant fountain or a bird bath. Ali explains, “A two-tier water fountain is the most in keeping with the Regency style and any fountain that features intricate petal embellishments on each tier is perfect for any garden party and will look spectacular within a courtyard.”

Create the perfect dining table

If you want to go all out, intricate metal dining sets are featured throughout the show and exude elegance, but you can also add a dazzle of high society in your dining table accessories. Decorate your seating area with sumptuous fabrics such as velvet, add eye candy with vases of blooms, and finish with whatever ornate antique touches you can lay your hands on.

If you're prepared to do a little DIY, a spray can of gold paint can turn pretty much anything into a fabulous statement piece for your patio, and you can even make a chandelier to hang from your pergola using wire coathangers and solar fairy lights.

Add Regency style by making the table layout symmetrical, too. Start with a centrepiece and build around it, using cake tiers and metal serving platters to create height, and adding small dishes of brightly coloured finger food to amp up the visual impact.

Stand pineapples among your tablescape to add an exotic look to your feast, scatter rose petals around the dishes, and edge cakes with ladyfinger biscuits to enhance the feeling of overblown extravagance. If you really want to take this to the next level, type ‘piece montee’ into Pinterest and be inspired to get creative.

Choose a colour scheme

The trick to making all these details pop while still retaining a sense of rich style is to keep your colour scheme simple. Choose one colour and repeat it everywhere, layering up in different shades. If you want to base your party lookbook closely on the show, start by choosing your favourite family – the elegant Bridgertons or the vibrant Featheringtons – and bring in their design motifs.

The Bridgertons are characterised by restrained and stylish blue, with the occasional bee turning up. The Featheringtons dress everything in citrus shades, with big, lavish, floral accents, and add butterflies everywhere. Incorporate these colours and motifs wherever you can.

And while your colour scheme should be simple, do go completely over the top everywhere else. From a (hired) A-line ball gown with ribbon under the bust to flounced cushions and chair drapes - nothing is off-limits.

Shelter under decorative follies

Follies can be spotted throughout the show in the form of parasols, pergolas, canopies and gazebos that are not only helpful for your entertaining plans should it decide to be extra sunny or rain-bound, but also create a purposeful social area.

Of course, they're also extremely decorative so you can have a bit of fun when it comes to your choice of design. Ali says, "A small pop-up gazebo or canopy will create a perfect social space for guests over the spring and summer months. Look for a cream or pinstripe patterned product with fringing to create romance. Avoid harsh colours or dark tones and keep to a pastel or neutral colour palette to keep with the regency style."

Delicious dishes

Everything, including the food, is lavish at a Bridgerton party. Guests in Regency times expected to be offered at least 15 different dishes to choose from. Think big, think bright, and think, mainly, sweet: currant-laden fairy cakes, macarons, fruit baskets, syllabubs (desserts made from whipped cream, sugar and wine), jellies and brioche.

Into the evening

After the food, turn your patio or decking into an impromptu dancefloor. Lots of the music in the show is an orchestral version of recent pop hits - you’ll find the official playlist on Spotify.

If you want to learn a new skill, challenge your guests to recreate a full-on 19th century dance. Head to regencydances.org for video tutorials.

If you’re not in a waltzing mood then light the lanterns, snuggle into a velvet wrap, pull out a side table and settle down to another Regency favourite: card games. There are tutorials on YouTube so just search for the game you want to learn: Rummy, Whist, Vingt-Et-Un, and Faro are all fun.

Alternatively, throw period detail to the winds, pull out a 21st-century projector, tie up a white sheet, and settle back to watch an episode of Bridgerton.

Make your own Bridgerton-style garden drinks

These six quick drink recipe ideas are sure to wet your whistle (down) and go down an absolute treat with your Bridgerton-obsessed garden party guests:

The Queen Charlotte: Give classic Buck’s Fizz a regal twist by blending 50ml freshly juiced pineapple juice with 100ml chilled champagne. “Flawless, my dear.”

The Absent Duke: Make a jug of summery sangria by mixing half a chopped apple, one chopped orange, 150ml brandy, and 175ml orange juice. Add 750ml dry red wine, sugar to taste, and ice to chill.

The Lady Danbury: Buy a bottle of Evangelista Ratafia. Serve straight over ice or mix 30ml of ratafia with 90ml champagne and add a mint leaf garnish.

The Lady Violet: Chill a cup of Earl Grey, add 30ml gin and stir in a simple honey syrup, made by boiling honey in water (1:1) then cooling, and a squeeze of lemon to taste. Serve over ice with a lemon or lavender garnish.

The Eloise: Warm a cup of milk in a pan with a cinnamon stick and a strip of red chilli. Take off the heat, set aside for 10 mins then strain out the solids, reheat, add 50g chopped dark chocolate, and whisk smooth.

The Hyacinth: Put the zest of two lemons in a jug, add five cups sparkling water and the juice of six large lemons. Flavour to taste with a simple sugar syrup, made by boiling sugar in water (1:1) then cooling.

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Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Modern Gardens, specialising in outdoor furniture, décor, and tools. She's always looking out for inspiration online for stylish and affordable designs, and enjoys spending time in nature.