As the weather starts to warm up, we are again drawing back the curtains and letting in the fresh air. The warmer temperatures also mean that now we are beginning to take our dinner parties and get-togethers outside. If you are looking for a fun way to make your party so much better, you’ve got to try a backyard dinner party! Whether you’re getting together with friends or family, here are my best tips for hosting.
Choose a theme
Choosing a theme will help you to give your party a consistent design and style. Use tropical colors for a bright and fun theme, or stick with subdued and darker hues for a more sophisticated look. You can even use natural elements like plants to highlight the sense of being outdoors.
Keep it small and intimate
You are responsible for all the little things as the host. By keeping it small, you can reduce the number of things you are responsible for, so you can enjoy the party while still playing the host for the evening. To keep things small yet intimate, stick to a guest list of between 10 and 15 people.
Prep, prep, and then prep some more
An effortless and fun dinner party always starts with prep work. Start by cleaning the inside of your house and sprucing up and wiping down the outdoor area. Make sure to give the lawn a fresh mow and start preparing things ahead of time, such as the meals, cooking, and menu planning. Make a list of everything you can do ahead of time and get started.
Take indoor furniture outside
While you might be outside, that doesn’t mean you have to use plastic chairs and a folding table. Bring some of your dining furniture outside to give your dinner party a more elegant feel. This will elevate your decor and give you and your guests more comfortable dining arrangements. You can bring out chairs for seating, or consider bringing out your entire dining room table if it’s light enough/
Work with the weather for your party
Weather is always going to be an outdoor party’s worst enemy. Skip the tablecloths if you know that wind will be an issue, or get creative with using tablecloth weights to make sure everything stays in place. Use heavier dishware to ensure no blowing paper plates, and make the outdoor space work for YOU! Get creative to make your weather situation work in your favor.
Lean on nature
You might not have a ton of seats or a bunch of outdoor decor, and that’s okay! There is nothing wrong with tree stumps as seats and using fresh herbs or flowers to make your decor. Get creative and see what yard elements you can repurpose into the decor.
Backyard dinner parties are so fun, and setting up a backyard party doesn’t have to be stressful. With the help of these tips and tricks, you can throw your own successful backyard dinner party that your guests will be talking about all season long.
