How to Host a Casual Outdoor Dinner Party That Still Feels Elevated

While you may think summer entertaining revolves around cookouts, cocktail parties, and grazing boards, it's also a great time to host an outdoor dinner celebration that's a bit more put together. You'll have the engaging conversation of a sit-down meal, but with the casual ambience that comes with any al fresco event. Before you send out invitations, though, there are a few things you'll need to consider in order to successfully pull off a laid-back but elevated outdoor dinner party.

Unlike gatherings held in your dining room, factors like heat, bugs, and wind play a role when you host outdoors. You'll need to keep these details top of mind when setting up your party. What's more, planning a menu that's tailored to eating outside is key—dishes should be easy to transport outdoors, keep in the heat, and call on seasonal ingredients. 

Clearly, there's a lot that goes into orchestrating a casual, but elevated outdoor dinner party. Follow these helpful tips, and you'll be more than ready to host guests for a collected, comfortable summer meal.

Choose a Level, Shaded Location

First things first: Make sure your backyard has a good location for hosting a dinner party outdoors. You will need to find a level area with firm ground to set up your table on. "You don't want your guests to be leaning sideways or sinking into the dirt in their chairs," says Wendy Kay, the creative director of Birds of a Feather Events. If your table doesn't have an umbrella, choose a location that keeps guests out of the hot sun. Additionally, consider how far away the location is from where the food is being prepared—will you have to travel far to transport each dish? Somewhere close to the kitchen is ideal. 

Look to Your Yard When Choosing a Theme 

A theme doesn't just set the tone for your event—it's also a great starting point when designing a party. "Often you can incorporate the theme into many elements of the event, such as food, décor, and even time of day," says Kristine Cooke, event planner and designer of Simply Charming Socials. If you don't want to lean into an ultra-specific theme, there are other ways to make your party feel cohesive. "I always encourage hosts to lean into the surrounding color palette—what color is the house, the flowers in the garden, etc.," says Kay. "The party should flow with its surroundings."

Plan (and Pare Down) Your Guest List

Unlike a pool or cocktail party where people filter in and out (no pressure!), a dinner party needs a set headcount. Budget and available space will largely dictate how many people you can invite, says Kay. How many tables and chairs do you have? Is there enough space inside should it begin to rain? These are things to consider when deciding how many people to invite. Also think about how you want the dinner to feel—for a more intimate vibe, keeping the guest list small is best. 

Send Digital Invitations 

To make your dinner party feel more casual, consider digital invitations over paper ones. "Guests can be notified no less than a few weeks out for more intimate celebrations," says Cooke. "Invitations should include date and time, location and address, any parking information, attire, and reply information." 

Plan Your Seasonal Menu 

When planning your menu, let your theme, guest list, and season be your guide. "Season should always come into play, as well as the formality of the event," says Kay. "Additionally, you should consider how heavy of a meal you want and how well the food will hold up with it being outdoors." 

Food

Whether you plan to set up a buffet or go family-style (which may be easier for everyone), your food menu should take into account the time of day. "I think light bites are great if the party is happening during daylight hours, but once the sun goes down, I would expect something a little more substantial and coursed out," says Kay. "If the weather is favorable, a family-style dinner would also be appropriate for an informal event."

In addition to considering time of day, you should also prioritize dishes that make use of seasonal ingredients. For example, kicking things off with a tomato or watermelon salad would be fitting for a summer party. To really call to the season, consider using fruits and vegetables that are ready for harvest in your own garden. 

Beverages

Party timing should also inform the drinks you serve. "Refreshing cocktails are great for daytime dinners, but post sunset, wine is more appropriate," says Kay. And while pitcher cocktails are convenient for casual, serve-yourself style parties, consider going the extra mile for a sit-down gathering. "If we are outdoors, I like the idea of drinks being made-to-order," says Kay, adding that these tend to be more fresh than batch beverages. No matter what route you take, just make sure you provide both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

Prepare Your Backyard

The last thing you want is for guests to traipse through high grass or look at dead flowers during your event. A week or two before your party, make sure you start to prepare your landscape for entertaining. In addition to mowing your lawn, prune back any overgrown plants, deadhead spent blooms, and fill in any holes that may be a tripping hazard for guests. "You should also address anything that might need to be fixed or cleaned (deck or patio furniture) and ensure that guests will either have a place to park—or notify them that utilizing a ride share app will be best," says Kay. 

Have a Plan for Bugs

If insects are a problem in your yard, you should have your property sprayed leading up to your event, says Kay: "The day of, you can take preventive measures that provide immediate results like citronella candles, bug zappers (if placed discreetly), and available bug spray for guests who are especially sensitive."

Set Up Your Tablescape 

A few days out from your party, you should begin getting everything ready for your tablescape. "Wash, allocate, and even label (with sticky notes) all of your servingware in advance of the party," says Cooke. "Arrange platters and bowls on your table or buffet to ensure they fit."

Skip Picnics

Even though outdoor dining feels casual, for any dinner party, a table and chairs arrangement is ideal. "I prefer tables and chairs," says Kay. "Picnic style setups can be uncomfortable, and if you are doing a meal rather than cocktail style, bench seating can also be uncomfortable (it does not provide back support)."

Set the Table

How much time you invest in your tablescape is a personal choice, one that should also be based on budget, what you're serving, and the formality of the event, says Kay. Having a tablecloth as a base layer though, will enhance your table's look and make cleaning up crumbs post-dinner much easier. Additionally, it's best to use melamine plates and cups over glassware to prevent safety hazards.

Once the table is set, look around and make sure everything will stay secure throughout the evening. "If you are outdoors, you need to take the wind into consideration, especially when it comes to glassware, napkins, menus, and anything else that can fly away or be easily knocked over," says Kay. 

Add Ambience

Of course, serveware is the most important aspect of your tablescape, but don't skimp on ambience. "Candles and string lights are great for a more laid back evening," says Kay. Another way to enhance your table is to put together a centerpiece that goes along with your theme or color palette. "Flowers are tough in the summer due to the heat—you definitely want to choose something hearty that will not wilt in the sun," says Kay. "Potted flowers and plants are a great alternative."

Provide Entertainment

No outdoor dinner party would be complete without some form of entertainment. Keep guests occupied as you finish plating your dishes and setting the table with yard games, like cornhole and badminton. If kids are attending, consider providing some options for them, too. Face painting or summer-themed crafts will keep them entertained pre- and post-dinner.