'Tis the season for hosting outdoor dinner parties! I can't think of a better way to enjoy a balmy summer night with family and friends than dining under the stars.
To make your dinner party a memorable one, create a unique setup that is both festive and magical. A setting like the one above will make your guests want to linger, talk and laugh over glasses of wine long after the dessert has been cleared.
Here are the elements you'll need to create a beautiful outdoor dinner party that is brimming with ambiance:
Table and Chairs
First and foremost, a stylish outdoor dining set is in order, your guests need a place to sit, right? I particularly like the Monterey Table and Chairs 3-Piece Set, which comes in turquoise, navy and white.
The small size makes it perfect for creating different configurations - you can create a long line of tables as seen in the first image, or group them together to create a square or rectangle.
The best part about this set is that the tables and chairs fold, so you can tuck them away when not in use.
Lighting
The next most important thing is lighting; not only does it make it possible to spend time with your guests into the wee hours, it's one of the easiest ways to create ambiance.
Fun party lights are an obvious first choice. I'm a fan of these lantern-like string lights - they give a casual look to your setting and act as a design element as well.
If you are having your dinner party in more of a garden setting instead of on a patio, Choose pathway lights to lead your guests to the table as well as delineate the perimeter of the setting.
Easy-to-use solar pathway lights like the Mei LED path lights are a terrific option - they don't require hard-wiring and therefore are easily moved around.
Planters
If you want to create a more permanent dining area in a garden or on a patio, outdoor planters are a fabulous option. Place them along the perimeter of your outdoor dining area to create a defined space.
I like the Vito Planter from Uttermost - the clean and simple lines of the concrete planter will allow it to work with just about any style of outdoor decor.
If the plantings are on the higher side, like bamboo, they will make the space seem cozy and private. Use planters with fragrant herbs like rosemary or basil to add another layer of ambiance to the space.
Centerpieces
The icing on the cake of your magical dinner party set up is the center piece. You need to jazz up your table a bit, because, let's face it, an empty table is just blah.
Group LED candles along the center of the table(s). You can find LED candles that flicker just like real candles - you will never have to dig out a recalcitrant wick ever again!
Small lanterns like this solar powered LED lantern would also look beautiful evenly spaced along a table.
To finish the look of your table, intersperse beautiful florals among the candles or lanterns. Faux florals are always in bloom and are a great option if you run out of time to pick up flowers/make arrangements.
I like the look of this mix of flowers in a mercury glass vase that includes peonies (my favorite!), roses and hydrangeas - it is short enough so that it won't block the view of the person sitting across from you.
What is your favorite way to create a memorable outdoor dinner party? Leave a comment below!
Image: Lamps Plus