This is a collaborative post: Have you ever considered hosting an alfresco dinner party but found yourself wondering where to start and even worse if it’s worth the effort? Well if you have, you’re in the right place, alfresco dinner parties are the best kind and but they can look a lot more complicated to pull off than they really are. But with some careful planning, you can easily create the perfect party.
Get Creative With Your Location
Alfresco dining in your back garden (if you’re fortunate enough to have the space) is the perfect location for an alfresco dinner party. However, if you don’t have a large enough yard, or you prefer not to have visitors to your home, or you have outdoor animals like chickens, you could always get creative with your locations.
The same applies to the type of alfresco dinner parties you host. Some of the best alfresco dinner parties we’ve heard of are those held after an activity, for example, a picnic dinner party in the early evening after a game of padel or tennis. Or setting up a pop-up alfresco dinner party near some outdoor gym equipment is also a great option, especially if you have friends who like to work out together. A picnic after working out may be novel but it’s attainable if that’s the kind of thing you like to do.
All you’ll need for a picnic alfresco dinner party is some floor cushions or fold up tables and chairs to set up after you’ve enjoyed your activities. And if you’re not interested in sports or other activities, a picnic dinner party is still an interesting option for an alfresco dinner party, not least because you can hold one in almost any public location.
Provide Shelter
If you’re organising an alfresco dinner party, the last thing you’ll want is for it to be a washout and here in the UK, there’s a significant risk that could happen. Ideally, you should look for a location with some form of canopy or shelter. Even something as simple as a few shade sails will provide adequate shelter. If you’re planning to host your alfresco dinner party somewhere where there is no shelter, consider using portable parasols, or tent awnings and gazebos to help protect against the elements.
Create An Ambience
The ambience creates a memorable event, it can enhance the mood and support a theme. And adding elements like outdoor lighting can create instant ambience. At home, you might install permanent ambient lights, and if you’re heading further afield, there are plenty of solar-powered or battery-operated lights available. Just remember to check your batteries and charge your solar-powered lights with sufficient doses of sun so that they last. Consider adding lighting to the outside of your shelter, on the table, along the pathway, in the surrounding area and add a few decorative lights too for the ultimate experience.
Other ways to create an ambient environment is to add soft music and to create a theme that you can incorporate into the table and location decor. Adding a fire pit to your location with seats for your guests to lounge in will also create a magical ambience.
Create Different Zones For Your Guests
Staying with the ambient theme, if you create different zones for your guest to lounge and mingle in will alleviate any impatience or boredom and add to the ambience. A fire pit naturally creates a separate zone, as does your dining table, but you could also add a few floor cushions and blankets. And, if your alfresco location is in your yard, why not tie a few swings to the branches of a tree for your guests to enjoy. Just don’t forget to light up the tree with ambient lighting to keep your guests safe and elevate their experience.
Finally, if your budget extends to it, and if you want something more permanent, consider installing a permanent dining area canopy.
Keep Your Food Choices Simple
The whole reason you’re organising your alfresco dinner party is to have fun right? So, it makes sense to keep your food simple but delicious. It’s much easier if you have fuss-free starters and desserts that you can make in advance, than having to do all of the cooking on the day. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having a wonderful time outdoors.
Alfresco dinner parties are something everybody should try hosting at least once in their lifetime. Chances are, if you do, you’ll be hosting an alfresco dinner party over and over again because you’ll see how easy they are to host. The only problem you’ll have is deciding on what theme to choose for your next party!