Dinner Al Fresco: A Guide For Outdoor Dining

Courtesy of Camille Stiles

As someone who loves dining outdoors, I’m super excited about today’s topic… hosting outdoor dinner parties or lunches!

It’s summer time and there’s no better place than being outdoors with friends and family this summer.

Last week we discussed some great ways to get your outdoor space ready for summer.

Today, we’re discussing some of the best ways to create an ambiance at your next outdoor event!

When setting a table for an outdoor event, you’ll want to follow similar principles as decorating inside your home.

The key to hosting are the attention to details.

The goal is to make your guests feel special and that they know you thought of them as you put this all together.

Yes these tips below will enhance that feeling but all any of us want is to feel special and cared for.

Outdoor dining is also a great place to have some fun and incorporate colors or patterns you may not be bold enough to use in your formal dining room. There are so many beautiful patterns and textures out there so don’t be afraid to try something different.

Let’s go!

-Linens

Not only it is functional to style your table with a linen table cloth or runner, it is always a beautiful foundation for any table.

Next incorporate placemats and cloth napkins, using cloth is great because you can throw them in the wash once the night is over. Plus it’s great for the environment.

There are so many colorful prints and natural textures that your use to decorate your table.

Below are some fun finds.

Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Courtesy of Pomegranate Inc
Courtesy of Birch Lane

-Melamine, my old friend

Find melamine dinnerware such as plates, bowls and cups.

Listen, there is no use in bringing glasses and ceramic plates outdoors.

Go out and source some fun melamine sets and they’ll last forever! They are light weight, indestructible and available in a variety of patterns and colors.

Courtesy of Laura Park Designs
Courtesy of Amazon
Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

-Dress it up

Just because we’re dining outside doesn’t this is should be any less pretty than if we were inside the home. Create a fun centerpiece. Bring out those colorful candle stick holders that you love.

Eating outdoors is always a treat so make it feel special for your guests.

Courtesy of World Market
Courtesy of Sundance

-Bug Free Zone

As much as I love outdoor dining, no one likes the bugs that you are inevitabley surrounded by. There are some incredible remedies to keep the bugs away as you enjoy a meal outside.

Below are some natural and manmade options to help keep the critters at bay while you’re enjoying a meal.

  1. Bug Zapper
  2. Candles
  3. Fly Fans
  4. Citronella Incense Sticks
  5. Bracelets

Now, let’s drool over these stunning tables!

Courtesy of The Olive Branch
Courtesy of HGTV
Courtesy of Maison Marqaux LTD
Courtesy of Joyful Derivatives

No matter what you do make it fun and enjoy those summer nights!

Stay Spirited!

-F

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