You’re having a party! Just an intimate little thing, but nonetheless, you want it to be just right. Guess what? Few fêtes are more inviting and relaxing than those involving dining al fresco on a gorgeous night. Whether you’re an outdoor ace when it comes to planning in the great wide open (or just your patio), or you’ve been poring over entertaining tips for months now, it’s actually as simple as pie (cherry?) to host a chic and easy al fresco fiesta. With a few essentials on hand, here’s how to make a memorable impression under the stars.
Timeless Touches Go a Long Way
We love a theme party. But if you’re hosting on a whim—or you want to relocate dinner from the dining room to the deck in a matter of minutes—it’s best to keep beautiful basics at the ready. Choose a solid linen tablecloth and coordinating cloth napkins. This speaks to the effortless nature of your party and gives you freedom to play with a floral centerpiece and selection of plates no matter the time of year. String white lights among the trees for a majestic twinkle while softening the mood, and of course, setting out citronella candles in ceramic pots will blend beautifully and keep bugs at bay.
Go Beyond Your Average Beverage
When it comes to serving wine at your outdoor event, there are only two requests. Rule 1: Choose chilled wines or a sparkling that’s perfect for warmer weather. Rule 2: Ditch the wine charms in favor of elevating all the charm and serve wine in mixed-and-matched glasses. Choose coordinating styles or colors (especially if you’ve found a treasure trove of colored vintage glass), but don’t be afraid to collect glasses in different heights. This will not only be a great way to add personality to your party, but it will help guests remember which glass is theirs.
Punch it Up
Even if everyone at your dinner is over 21, it’s always a thoughtful (and refreshing) touch to serve a bright, beautiful, non-alcoholic punch. It’s easy to do with fresh fruit, sugar, seltzer, and citrus, but if you decide on kicking it up a notch, there are plenty of options. Whether it’s served in a watermelon, a pineapple, or a coconut–or kept simple in a cut-glass punch bowl–a premade punch goes a long way with thirsty guests.
Keep it Snackable
When it comes to fromage, that dinner-party essential, pass on the cheese plate and set out Stacy’s Cheese Petites™ in Romano with Garlic & Pepper or Parmesan with Rosemary (or both!). Poured into a variety of cool vintage bowls, this new, highly snackable bite is easy to eat and has flavors that leave a lasting impression. They’re made with real cheese baked inside (it’s the first ingredient)––and even better, they pair perfectly with wine. We suggest taking advantage of a limited-time 20% off promotion at stacyssnacks.com. You’ll be glad you did.
Put Some Prep in Your Step
Whether you’re planning to grill on the spot or you’ve prepared pork cooked low and slow, you’re going to want most of the work done ahead of time. Sides and salads are easy to make the morning of, so start there. Pick up fresh fruits and vegetables the day of your party, and hit the farmer’s market to get goods that are in season. We like this salad of peaches and tomato with burrata and hot sauce for its juicy, punchy flavors, or this rainbow radish salad for major crunch. Kept cool in the fridge, your sides will be a refreshing respite for hungry guests.