How to Host a Gorgeous Backyard Dinner Party—Without the Stress
Photo by Tabitha Turner on Unsplash.
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When summertime hits, we all want to spend more time outside. There’s so much fun to be had! We go to the beach, play games in the yard with the kids, keep our gardens looking beautiful, and we finally get to work on all our outdoor home projects. And if you’re someone who loves hosting, you might also look forward to inviting friends and family over for a backyard dinner party. Between graduation dinners, those perfect-temperature nights, and more time to unwind, now’s the best time to start prepping your outdoor space for a gorgeous alfresco dinner party.
Backyard dinner parties aren’t just about food and drinks, though. You also need to make sure that your yard is prepped and ready to host. Begin with an outdoor dining set—from there, you’ll want to research outdoor-friendly dinnerware, and table accents like candlesticks or flower vases to bring it all together. Then, look to the yard at large: Is there something you can do to make the backyard feel more designed? Maybe this means investing in a pergola kit, to carve out the dining space and give it a luxe feel. Or maybe you want to give the space a cozy touch with a patio heater. Whatever you dream in your backyard design ideas, that extra thought will go a long way in making your outdoor dining zone shine. Don’t forget a bug repellant or citronella candle, too, to keep your guests and your food free from critters!
Decide On Your Space, Then Prep It
First thing’s first, you need to find the best space for your outdoor dining set. That means the table should be on level ground, not too close to overhanging trees or shrubbery, and in a well-lit area. Around the table, place some lanterns, candles, or other outdoor lighting to brighten up the table. Then, consider the rest of your space and how you could make it function better for the party. Would you like to add in a second chill zone around a bonfire fire pit or under a pergola? Map out the space and make sure that everything fits well together ahead of time so you know exactly how to organize the yard.
Look to Your Yard for a Color Scheme
Take some inspiration from the places you can’t change! Do you have a gorgeous lemon tree? Is your garden full of bright red roses? Or maybe you live in a city with a concrete patio and just a few potted plants? Take these elements from your landscape and design around them. If you find that your yard has many yellows and purples, add in some dainty pink decor. If your deck is a dark wood, brighten up the tablescape with pops of baby blue and lilac. Your best and most effortless color scheme will combine your natural landscape with your chosen palette, and will make the space feel styled.
Choose the Right Decor for Your Space and Style
Once you have the color scheme down and you know the products you need to include to make your yard the best outdoor dinner venue it can be, it’s time to think about the decor. Make sure you’re using patterns, colors, and textures that complement your dinner’s ambiance. If you want to go for a more minimalist, contemporary feel, matte black lanterns and folding chairs will give off that high-contrast look. If you want to keep up with the boho summer vibe, incorporating floral and fruit patterns, as well as light colors and natural finishes, will help you achieve that style.
Beautify Your Dining Tablescape
Your table is the star of the show, and you should treat it as such! Jonathan and Zooey love a good dinner party. And what’s more, these two are known for their fabulous decorating skills (have you seen their Park House home?!). When it comes to creating an inviting, beautiful atmosphere for guests, they know that focusing in on the small details is key. From the candlesticks to the table runner and your chosen dinnerware, matching isn’t necessarily the objective. Instead, look to add complementary pieces that elevate the tablescape and enhance the ambiance of the other decor you’ve chosen. Including taper candles or LED candles, fresh flowers, and a fun tablecloth are great places to start.
Match Your Invites to Your Dinner Theme
Designing your dinner party invitations is part of the fun! Take some inspiration from your color scheme: If you’re going for a whimsical vibe, cursive handwriting invitations with illustrations would be the perfect coupling. Or if you’re going for something a little more upscale, an invitation that includes bold lettering and elegant designs could be very complementary. Along with your old-school paper invitations, many sites, like Paperless Post, also offer a digital greeting and RSVP.
Craft a Seasonal Menu
Have you seen the outdoor birthday party/Earth day celebration that Drew held for his wife Linda? It was such a beautiful success, and that’s all because he planned the menu ahead of time and made it chock-full of seasonal ingredients, flowers, and decor. Linda was so thrilled with the outcome, and that was in part due to the fresh foods and colorful spread. “More parties like this one? Yes, please!” she said. Research the vegetables and fruits that are currently in-season in your region (SeasonalFoodGuide.org is a great resource for this) and then explore some recipes that include those ingredients. It’s also a fun and inspiring way to try new dishes!
Hang String Lights for Ambiance
Of course, you’ll also need some lighting, especially if your dinner party goes later into the evening. But that doesn’t mean you have to rely on your harsh flood lights or the sconces on the side of your house to keep your table lit for guests. One thing about string lights? They can make any space, including your outdoor dining area, feel more cozy and inviting—and you can place them wherever you need (especially if you’re using solar lights). Then, once nightfall comes, you’ll have a great way to provide the perfect amount of soft light to your space.
Bring Fresh Flowers Into Your Tablescape
Bring on the blooms! A nice bouquet of flowers can bring some much-needed color, texture, and life from your yard directly into your tablescape. You can cut fresh stems from your garden, head to the local nursery for farm-fresh flowers, or try online flower delivery stores to get some shipped right to your door. Paired with candles or a few portable table lamps, and your table will be looking magazine-worthy.
Add Throw Blankets and Pillows for a Cozy Touch
With a few cozy throw blankets and accent pillows, your dining area won’t just be beautiful—it’ll also be comfortable. This way, your guests can truly feel like they’re welcome to unwind and make themselves at home. Place a pillow on each chair, and toss a couple throw blankets across the dining bench or roll them up into a wicker basket beside the dining table. But be warned: Your guests will be so cozy, they might have a hard time leaving your backyard dinner party!
Take Photos to Capture the New Memories
Nothing beats a photo of a favorite memory that you can look back on and smile about. That’s what makes instant cameras so popular! Place a couple Instax or Polaroid cameras on the dining table or perched on a stool near the back door and encourage friends to take photos throughout the night. It’ll give everyone a fond memory to look back on, and you can even include some in a memory book or scrapbook.
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