On a beautiful summer night, it’s so nice to enjoy dinner outdoors. I love the idea of dining al fresco and want to share five tips to make your next outdoor dinner party an elegant success!
5 Easy Tips for your Outdoor Party and Dining
1. Pick a theme
Keep it simple and by all means, use your glassware or china! Just because you’re sitting outside doesn’t mean you should skimp on elegance! Pick a color theme that you enjoy; I love the nautical look of dark navy and white, and when I pair that with white china, it’s stunning! Use cloth napkins that complement or pop to match your flower selection. If you don’t have a table cloth you want to use, consider cloth placemats. If you are not sitting at a table with an umbrella, use a table runner that can complement your theme.
2. Decorate
Use your glass vases that are not too tall, cut flowers growing in your garden combined with evergreen, and run them down your table. Use a small vase or glass by each table setting and a votive candle; your table will be simply stunning! Add candles on platters or lanterns down the center of your table for a soft glow.
3. Add Light
If you have an outdoor table with an umbrella, add hanging lights from the umbrella to light your dining experience! If your table does not have an umbrella, consider adding tall buffet lamps, so guests benefit from the light without being in their way.
4. Keep the Bugs Away
Cover all food, or use food tents, to keep bugs away if you plan to serve the food outside. Use a small box fan to move the air over the food to keep the flies away; apparently, flies don’t like the wind. Use deterrents such as citronella candles on the perimeter of your seating area or devices such as a mosquito repellant appliance.
5. Food Selection
Keep this simple. You don’t need 25 appetizers for a dinner party of 6-8 people. It’s summer! Think farm-fresh and straightforward! Consider a make-your-own salad, grilled veggies, grilled chicken or fish, and various sides that people can add, such as dried fruit, goat cheese, toasted almonds, and colorful peppers. If you need fillers, make a pasta salad ahead of time or serve freshly purchased crusty bread. Keep cold items cold by placing ice in a tray and setting another tray on top for the food. Also, keep the beverages simple and have a pitcher of fresh water with sliced lemon or cucumber for everyone.
Get outside and enjoy yourself! Have fun and enjoy this beautiful season of summer! If you need help with your home decorating, home staging, or color selections, give me a call at 610-955-8202 or email me for a consultation!
By Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Houzz. Feature photo licensed from Shutterstock.