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Tips for Outdoor Dinner Party Perfection
The warm and welcoming weather of early fall is the ideal time to bring family and friends together for a nice dinner and refreshing drinks. It doesn’t matter if it’s a four-course meal or a smorgasbord of snacks, bottles of the best wines or a simple lemonade on ice – it’s the ambiance and attention to detail that will have your guests in the best of spirits.
All the Right Furnishings
All the Right Furnishings
Your Outdoor Living Area is an important gathering place – especially for entertaining – and deserves the same attention as any other room in the home. Choose furnishings that define the space. Sectional patio couches made with weather-resistant metal or wicker and dining sets that seat at least eight will be able to accommodate larger dinner parties. Remember to have throw pillows and chair and sofa cushions made with antimicrobial fabrics that won’t mildew after a few rains.
Before the sun goes down, your guests will appreciate shade or a beautiful filtered light leading up to sunset. Consider a pergola made with strong woods like cedar or metals that can be draped with romantic swag fabrics or light tapestries. For a more open feel, trellises with flowering vines and aromatic flowers will fill the air with sweet smells like honeysuckle, sweet pea and jasmine for a lovely atmosphere.
Fire and Light
When darkness falls, remain around the table with scattered candles that provide a warm, homey feel of firelight. For windy evenings, use tall hurricane glass vases and set two or three candles with varying heights inside. If you’re not a big fan of an open flame, consider LED flameless candles that can be used perennially and even flicker like the real thing.
Depending on your space and patience, some options for outdoor dinner party lighting include lanterns, either paper or oil, or indoor/outdoor string lights that are durable and can be used all year round. For a wow factor, string a chandelier from a pergola or a tree branch to set the mood.
Fire and Light
On the Table
Tablecloths can provide a bold statement with crisp white linen to checkered gingham and wild colors and patterns, but they can be disruptive in breezy backyards and mean just one more thing you have to clean. Opt for butcher paper for easy cleanup and as a source of amusement for the kids with crayons and chalk.
If the menu calls for chilled foods – ceviche, dairy-based dips, etc. – use a large mixing bowl filled with ice, throw a few dashes of coarse kosher salt on top and balance your dip or appetizer in the center for a DIY cooling container. The salt will keep the dish afloat as the ice melts. Also, upside down mesh colanders can keep pesky bugs from spoling the party.
These are just a few ideas for creating evenings that your favorite people will remember for years to come. Make sure to take time to enjoy them, too!
