When the sun is shining and the weather stays warm long into the evening, it’s the perfect time to host an outdoor dinner party. Whether you’re planning an outdoor dinner for your family or a larger group of family and friends, hosting one promises lots of fun.
However, some people find it challenging to plan a party. You want everyone to enjoy the food and have a great time. If you don’t know where to start, follow the tips below to host a perfect outdoor dinner party.
Incorporate Centerpieces
As you make a fun outdoor event, you’ll want to add some centerpieces to make it memorable and unique. Flower bouquets are an excellent addition to the table.
When you choose a bouquet bundle from FruitFlowers®, you also get a box of chocolate-covered strawberries or assorted chocolate-covered fruits. It’s a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers plus a done-for-you dessert, so you can cross two items off your to-do list.
Make sure you think about tablecloths to go along with the centerpieces. You can also pick out unique paper plates and silverware to fit the party’s theme. The more you customize and adjust the design for the party, the more fun people will have while they attend it.
Keep an Eye on the Weather
You’ll also need to consider the weather while you plan the event. For example, if you plan to have it at a park with picnic tables, you’ll need to ensure the tables have tents over them. Otherwise, rain could get all over the tables and ruin the fun (and possibly the food).
Check the weather throughout the week to see if any changes occur. It’s a good idea to hold an outdoor dinner party in the warmer months, as your guests might enjoy chatting, dancing, or other activities well into the evening. It comes down to what works best in your area and the weather you usually get.
Even as the day arrives, keep looking at the sky for any signs of rain or other weather problems. You should have a backup plan ready, so you can still have dinner in case you can’t have it outside.
Take Some Pictures
People love to form memories and look back at fun moments, so think about taking pictures during the event. You can capture some fantastic moments and send the photos to your family and friends.
You can even go the extra mile by offering to take family portraits while people visit. Taking pictures can seem appealing if you have a lovely tree or backdrop where you hold the party. If you plan to do this, let everyone know before the party so they can dress for the occasion. You can also set up a photo booth with some fun props for more lighthearted and casual photos.
You’ll want to capture candid photos, too. Candids often represent some of the best memories, as the antics and expressions are captured in the moment. You’ll look back on these photos with a smile for years to come.
Add Some Activities
While eating and talking are undoubtedly fun, you also should consider other activities you can incorporate. Activities matter even more if you have any kids at the event since you don’t want them to get bored.
See if you can organize a scavenger hunt, some games, or anything else you think the guests will enjoy. If there’s a mix of ages among attendees, plan some fun activities for kids, as well as other activities and ideas to appeal to adults.
Don’t get upset if you plan some activities and people don’t want to participate in them. As long as people have fun and interact during the dinner party, you can rest easy knowing you held a successful event.
Have the Food in the Kitchen
If you plan to host the event outside, you may not want to leave the food there for food safety purposes. Even if you cover the food in aluminum to keep it warm, bugs are sure to be in the vicinity whenever you remove the cover. Plus, bugs are persistent, and an aluminum foil cover might not be enough to keep the most dogged pests out.
The kitchen works best if you plan to hold the dinner party in your backyard. That way, people can easily access the inside of the house if they want to grab a drink, use the restroom, or get out of the heat.
If you’re hosting your dinner party at a park or another exclusively outside venue, consider setting up a screened tent to keep the food safe from pests.
Conclusion
Hosting an outdoor dinner party has some challenges, but you can make it easier by following the tips above. As you go through them, keep the specifics of your event in mind. See which ones you like, and focus on having a fun time.
As you do so, you’ll quickly create an ideal outdoor dinner party while doing your best to make it enjoyable for everyone.