The super talented Selina Lake took time out from her editorial work with The English Garden, Homes & Antiques and Country Living, to style our garden party shoot in support of the Great British Garden Party. We’re collaborating with the National Garden Scheme on the fundraising event, with a percentage of sales from our Truly Scrumptious collections, including Truly Alice featured here, going to their charities. Here are some tips of creating the perfect garden party, including some from Selina herself.

1. First off, it doesn’t matter if your garden is large or small, tidy or untidy. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t have a garden – a patio will do. Choose a colour scheme – this can be based on a combination of the flowers in your garden and the items like plates and tablecloths that you have.

2. Don’t worry about making your garden perfectly ‘coiffed’, but do declutter. Put those empty pots and garden tools away from sight.

3. Make use of items you already have. A trip to a charity shop can give something once loved a new life too. And if you invest in a couple of new items it’s good if they are built to last – like quality fabric bunting – so you can store them away and bring them out for another day. Alternatively, for something like paper napkins or plates look out for plastic free packaging and that they are home recyclable.

4. Choose a spot for your table that enjoys the afternoon sun. Near a beautiful tree – if you have one – is perfect, especially as you can hang bunting from it. (Nothing says party quite like bunting.)

5. If your garden furniture is metal, be sure to put out some comfy cushions.

6. If you plan for your party to carry on into the evening, solar lanterns or lights and candles create a lovely ambience.

7. Create some talking points for the table. If you follow these tips, you’ll have plenty to talk about – from your charity find, to your in season flowers to that great local business you’ve discovered.

8. At Talking Tables we’re committed to supporting local small businesses, especially female founded ones. For our shoots we also use in season produce – so while you may only want a few blooms for a couple of bud vases, why not think about what’s currently flowering. The same for food.