Hosting a summer dinner party should be easy when you have the right supplies. Summer nights are the best time to host outdoor dinner parties, you don't have to worry about having people inside your home and the clean up should be minimal. Not sure where to get started? Here's three tips and ideas to get you in the right direction, to hosting your first outdoor dinner party.
Tip 1: Have a conversational centerpiece. One of the most important parts of the table in any party is the centerpeice, which is typically some type of flowers or plants. Like in the picture below (via Southern Living), they have used a mix of live flowers and American flags. It's always important to have a theme to your dinner party, and this is where you showcase it.
Tip 2: Come up with a menu and tableware. When hosting a dinner party, a key factor is a theme. With the theme of a dinner party, you should have matching table ware to match.
Like the picture to the left (via Southern Living) they have used placemat, dinner plate, dessert/salad plate and then a menu on top. To the left of the plate, is a fork and to the right is a spoon and knife with a beverage glass. Coming up with a menu is so important so that your dinner guest know what they will be eating and you know what you will be serving. Normally the guests would be served their food, but since its in more of an outdoor laid back summer mood the food is placed on the table. A runner that is coordinated with the theme of the party, is placed down the center with the centerpieces on top. Another key feature to a table setting is napkins, wether you choose to use cloth or paper, make sure that the dinner guest has a napkin by their plate or silverware.
Tip 3: Incorporate the theme into your food. When it comes to deciding about what to cook, always stay with the theme of your dinner party. It makes for a great conversational topic.
Like in the picture to the right (via Southern Living) they have added Fourth of July themed picks into the burgers and added tags onto the beverage bottles. They used metal buckets to add a height difference for the French Frys and have stacked the hotdogs on a platter in the middle of the table. With the table and food set, it's now time to enjoy the evening. Don't know where to start the dinner party shopping process? I've got you covered! Below is a few links to my favorite table ware and decor sites, get started today!
Tablecloths & Placemats:
Dinner & Salad Plates:
Drink ware & Other needs:
Here's to starting your first dinner party. I hope you found these three tips helpful. See you next time!
William E.Wood
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