A few weeks ago a friend of ours called me and asked me if he could propose to his girlfriend (one of my good friends) on our deck, at sunset and then have an engagement party immediately following, so of course I said yes!!! The chance to throw a party and watch two of my good friends get engaged, sign me up! (There’s a giveaway at the end so make sure you read all the way to the bottom!)
I’ve been seeing so many cute Better Homes and Gardens items hit the Walmart shelves so I used the engagement party as the perfect excuse to get stocked up on fun, budget-friendly outdoor entertaining supplies. Plus we’re in the process of building our outdoor kitchen so all these items will stock it, once it’s finished.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, I’m a planner. So the morning of the engagement I spent 2 hours prepping and getting everything set up for the party so I wouldn’t be stressed when the big hour arrived. I absolutely love this hammered texture lidded bowl set because it allowed me to put some of the food out without having to worry about bugs getting in it.
I also love love love the new line of melamine plates and bowls that came out this spring. I was so excited about the colors and how perfect they were for the engagement party and all the other fun outdoor entertaining I’ll be doing this summer!
Tip #1 One of the things it’s important to do, when serving a large amount of people (there were 25 at the party), is to spread the food around the room, or the deck in this case. If all the food is in one place then it makes that area really crowded because people tend to gather around food. I’ve learned over the years to spread it out so people have multiple places to gather and talk.
I had food on the side tables of the sitting area, on the coffee table and on the bistro table. I also had drinks in two different locations so everyone would have plenty of room to get to them.
Seriously how cute is this water dispenser and galvanized stand!? You know I love teal so when I saw the dispenser I had to buy it!
Tip #2 Another entertaining tip of mine is to add lots of flowers. Flowers make everyone happy and they are an inexpensive way to cheer up a boring space. I bought 5 bouquets of flowers from Trader Joe’s, for less than $20, and it completely transformed my deck. Even the BBQ was decorated. 🙂
I even used the petals that fell of while I was arranging them, as a petal walkway for my friend to follow when she arrived at our house. She had no idea what was going on until she opened the front door and saw this. 🙂
Tip #3 Always put a sign on the door to tell your guests to come on in. If there isn’t a sign on the door then they will knock and you’ll spend the first part of the evening running to answer the door every few minutes. Place a cute sign on the door that welcomes your guests and invites them to come on in!
Here are a few more pictures from our party; it was such a great night and the weather was perfect. My friend said yes, of course, and it was a beautiful evening. The sunset was stunningly beautiful, everyone had a great time and our friends felt very special. A win-win-win for me, which made me one happy hostess!
Do you have any outdoor entertaining tips? I’d love to hear them because I always love learning new tips to make entertaining easier! Also I’m giving away a $100 Walmart gift card so you can get stocked up for all your entertaining this summer!
Good luck!!!
Here’s a full product list, most of the entertaining items are only available in the store so don’t wait, if you love something, go get it today! To see more details about my BHG deck decorations from Walmart, click over to read this post.
- Hammered texture lidded bowl set
- Round Melamine Dinner Plate, Red Watercolor Print
- Round Melamine Dinner Plate, Teal (it shows it in red but it comes in both colors)
- Small Round Melamine Bowl, Red Watercolor Print
- Small Round Melamine Bowl, Teal (it shows it in red but it comes in both colors)
- Glass Beverage Dispenser
- Galvanized drink stand
- Black and white chair cushions
- Couch cushion
- Bar stool cushions
- Coffee table
- Green planter
- Teal planter
- Folding side table
Follow Better Homes and Gardens at Walmart to see what’s coming out soon!
Disclaimers – I am part of the BHG Live Better Blogger Network; this post is sponsored by BHG at Walmart. All opinions are my own.
I have included affiliate links to the products I used for this makeover, if you buy through the link I get a small commission but you don’t pay a cent more than you normally would. Thank you for supporting Ask Anna!
i would buy groceries
I would put the gift card towards patio furniture.
I would buy a new Rubbermaid mop and some new cleaning supplies.
I would buy some more supplies to help with outdoor entertaining.
I would love to use it to throw my husband a BBQ birthday bash with our friends. Thanks for the tips and for the giveaway! I had never thought about spreading out the food. That’s a great idea!
i would pick up some of the melamine items shown here. So beautiful!
I would get all the pretty teal items!!! 🙂
I am going to buy some new outdoor chairs with throw pillows to update my patio! I really love how gorgeous your outdoor looks!
i think ill buy some items for fouth of july
Flowers and veggies!
We will be moving this summer so I would buy some new things for our new home.
I really need to spruce up my screened porch… new cushions for starters!
I would love to buy a lawn chair
We’re having a pool put in, so outdoor entertaining is in my future and I needed these tips. I would probably buy some covered serving dishes and unbreakable plates and cups like the ones you’ve shown to make my parties festive but highly-functional.
I’d like to get some pretty linens and curtains for the kitchen.
Our gazebo ended a untimely death due to the horrible weather we had here in the NE, so I would apply the gift card towards a new one!!
What a lovely party! Thanx for the giveaway opp….
I would love to use this to get myself a lawnmower. Ours the deck is rotting out and will not last much longer.
I would love to get some side tables for the living room.
I’d buy some outdoor chairs.
my house needs (NEEDS) some fresh spring decor!! Throw pillows perhaps!
I would buy some outdoor games for my kids for the summer vacation.
it would probably be used to buy groceries and summer clothes for the kids
You can get EVERYTHING at my Walmart, but I would probably buy some new make up and groceries.
I would buy outdoor toys for my kids.
Graduation party items! Love the drink dispensers.
I would buy new lawn chairs.
Chair cushions
I would love a few new pieces for our patio
I have no idea. Maybe groceries. I haven’t been to Walmart in decades. There isn’t one close to me.
Decor for the patio including some patio lights
I would buy new workout clothes with the Walmart gift card!
I would get groceries.
Oh I love that pretty new melamine dishware – totally going to get myself some!
I am loving the Melamine dishes you have! I would love to get some of them!!
I would buy outdoor furniture!
I’ll get curtains and rugs.
A new shower curtain and fixtures for the bathroom.
Love that drink dispenser!
I will use it for trips to Walmart while we go on vacation; we usually always forget to pack something and we would buy some groceries and beach toys.
Great job coordinating a fun looking party! Congrats to the happy couple!
We just moved so I would use this to help furnish our new house.
I would use it to buy some outdoor tables for my patio.
Beautiful Anna! I love the idea of putting the sign on the door! Just a simple thing that saves you so much time and energy.
I would put it towards things needed around the house.
Useful info.!
Sheet set for my bedroom, curtains and some picture frames
I would use it to buy groceries.
I wold buy home decor items – frames and baskets.
Very lovely! I’m glad you partnered with BHG. Their products are nicely designed, affordable, and easy to find.
I would buy some out door chairs.
I would buy something for my hard working kids. I am always worried that they don’t get things that they need as we have six in our family and have to watch $
Thanks for the chance to win!
Either the Retro White and Chrome Dining Table that I added to my wishlist last night, or the Better Homes and Gardens Suzani multi-colored area rug that’s been in my cart for two weeks – decision, decisions. 😉 Your home/deck/view remind me of my brother’s house, great party place, several levels of home and decks and a view of of the treeline across a river to the south.
Love those melamine plates! I would have to buy those!
I would buy a new stroller for our new baby.
I would buy some outdoor accessories.
I would use the gift card to by groceries.
I really love the melamine dishes!
I would buy a raised garden bed, soil and plants if I won the Walmart gift card
I would buy outdoor items, sandals and swim suits for my grand kids.
I’d use it toward a new grill!
I would buy outdoor plates and serving ware.
And great job on this party! I spied the dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes. =)
My daughters birthday is coming up so I would love to get her something special.
I’d buy plants for our backyard 🙂
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I would use it to furnish the patio of our new home just in time for summer…love those bright colors!
I would love to use the gift card to furnish the patio in my new home just in time for summer. Love the bright colors!
If I won, I would use the Walmart gift card on groceries for our Memorial Day cookout celebration 🙂
I have some of this BHG set and I love it! Thanks for the tips! I would use the gift card for outdoor lanterns
!
I would buy some shrubs and flowers.
My neighbor will be moving away. Her and I are really close and even though she will still be “in town” she won’t be right across the street from me. With this I would probably throw her a great party to celebrate the wonderful relationship we have had for over 35 years. I want to give her something to remember all the fun, wonderful time we were together, road trips, pool outings (at her house) and let her know that I will miss her being next door but no matter what always be her friend. Have all out friends over and celebrate “her” being a wonderful friend with lots of great food, drinks, and of course laughs.
I would buy household items for my daughter who recently lost everything she owns.
I would buy food most likely, we could use it!
I would get some outdoor furniture
I’d buy some flowers for my garden and some pet supplies.
I’d use it to get beautiful items for the beautiful outdoors too! I also love every shade of teal/turquoise/aqua so I’d pick everything with those shades and complimentary colors like coral and deep violets. Lovely blog post! Congratulations to the newly engaged couple! I am so happy to have found you!
I would get some of that pretty teal outdoor diningware!!
We just moved to a new place would love to get outdoor entertaining stuff
I’d get teal serving ware too! Lovely!
I would use to buy summer shoes etc. for my three grand-divas 🙂
We’re in the middle of renovating so I would probably look for some new decor items or organizational items.
I would buy some school clothes for my kiddos…
I would buy a car seat for my new little one.
I’d put it toward a new camera.
I’d put it towards some barbecue utensils and outdoor cushions for my glider.
I’d buy some college essentials for my daughter
I would probably get groceries and maybe some clothes/shoes for my babys!!
Thanks! xoxxoox
a patio set
I would spend it on groceries.
I would buy some cute lighting for my deck and some nice plant so I can enjoy them on my deck!
Thats such a beautiful patio! So bright and pretty! I would definitely use the gift card and buy my Nana some new cushions for her patio furniture!
Great post Anna! You have a lovely outdoor area.
My favourite products would be the melamine ones. They remind me of an Australian brand I have come across. They are called Barel Designs and focus on melamine.