The Original Charleston Garden Party

I had been planting a few flowers for several years.  This year I glimpsed a garden. I decided to have a formal lunch in the garden for the women of my church.  The  date was April 1997.  On that first year, 64 women attended.  Everyone enjoyed it so much, I was asked to do it again the next year.  What was intended to be a one time event became an Annual Event. 

Thereafter, the invitations were extended to Christian women of all denominations to meet outside of a church setting to join in fellowship, share experiences, and have a formal lunch in the beautiful garden of the McBride House.  Ladies were encouraged to sponsor a young lady between the ages of 12 - 18.  We have added a fashion show and a hat contest with prizes to the Event, which has grown and flourished to over 200.  In 2005, Southern Living Magazine came and did a feature story.  The Event is held each year on the first Saturday in April.   2008 will be our 11th anniversary.

The Registration Form for this year's Event follows pictures

History of a Garden Party

Garden Parties originated in England as afternoon teas.  By the 1860's, five o'clock tea was a recognized social ritual, with company sometimes invited to partake.  By 1877 ladies wore a special "tea gown" to grace the occasion.

Tea was customarily served in the drawing room.  However, at the country estate, if the weather were good, it might be served outside on the lawn, "a La Portrayal of a Lady." Finger foods were introduced at tea time in 1879.

At present, a Garden Party is a Party held on a lawn or in a garden.  Today our version of the historical event is a "formal luncheon" held in a lovely garden.

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