How to Throw a Great Outdoor Dinner Party

Ace the Ambiance

Aside from nailing the menu, the environment and overall ambiance are critical in creating an elegant experience for your guests. Here’s what you can to do prep your outdoor space long before friends and family arrive.

• Has your backyard seen better days? For this dinner party, the great outdoors is your dining room – tasks like wiping down the table and adorning it with your table settings are even more important when preparing an outdoor space.
• Ensure your greenery is well-maintained by giving your lawn, bushes, and shrubs a fresh cut. Plant colourful flowers to maximize the beauty of your outdoor dining space. The Grounds Guys can help with all things landscaping!
• Twinkly string lights are what dreamy dinner parties are made of! Make sure your space is ready to handle the extra wattage by installing correct outdoor outlets or brighten your space from the ground up with landscape lighting!
• All hands on deck! If you plan to have guests seated on a deck or patio, primp it to perfection: Ensure it’s safe and in good repair or give it a fresh coat of paint.

Dazzle at Dinner

You’ve set the stage – now it’s time for the main event! We trust you’ll have a fantastic menu, so here are a few tips and tricks for dinner party success you might not have thought through.

• An elegant experience does not necessarily equate to fancy dinner plates and silver. Minimize the cleanup with pretty disposable tableware – check out these ideas from the kitchen!
• Disperse food, drink, and dessert tables throughout the space to encourage movement and socialization.
• While you might be invading their space, insects aren’t invited to your party! Ensure they don’t crash it with subtle options like citronella candles or creating a breeze near the action with an outdoor fan. No more mosquitoes!
• Game on! Set out classics for the yard like badminton and bocce ball for before or after dinner.
• Don’t forget the music! Stick with classics that everyone and hum along to, but be sure not to drown out a good conversation. Encourage musically-inclined guests to bring their instruments!

Good company is easily the most important ingredient of all. At Neighbourly, we want to foster community and friendship in your neighbourhood. Knock on a few doors and throw a great outdoor dinner party this summer!

Need professional help with the prep? We’ve got you covered. Explore our entire family of home service experts at Neighborly.com/ca.