Levi KeswickSummer’s on its way out. Instead of fretting over the end of summer, why not focus on the joy that can come from fall? And what better way to do so than with a dinner party with friends? Set up your fall theme, get your setup spot on, and celebrate the turn of a season with all your loved ones!
Just below, you’ll find some of our favorite tips for throwing a classy backyard dinner party. We’ve laid out everything you need for a smash of a party!
Get Your Theme Right
First things first—let’s get this theme right. It can’t be a last-second thought. And it shouldn’t be the theme of the paper plates you pick up from the dollar store.
Instead, your theme should be well thought out. If you’re going with the turn of the season mentality, then you want to make sure each area of your party touches on that. The setup should have the theme in mind, as should the menu, the drinks, the music, and even the games. Here are a few of our favorite ideas:
- Apple Orchard Themed
- Oktoberfest Focused
- Campfire Party
- At-Home Wine Tasting
Think Less Is More for the Setup
Like we stated, the setup plays a role in how classy your backyard dinner party turns out. If you’re going for casual, then everyone can just bring along a lawn chair. But if you want it to be more refined, then you’ll have to sort out your own seating.
You can either rent your own long table and chairs or go for an open seating setup, where there are plenty of seating options around for people to mill about. Whichever you choose, make sure to pay attention to the tablescape.
Ask Your Friends for Help
It seems obvious, but for many, it’s not. You don’t have to do this on your own! Your friends will be thrilled you offered to host, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to help it run smoothly.
Ask for help with the menu. Ask your friend with the stellar music taste to create the playlist. The more help you bring in, the better chance your backyard dinner party ideas come true!
Figure Out Drink Pairing ASAP
The drinks speak a lot about how the party goes. If you just grab a box of wine that doesn’t match your menu, your classy affair will now seem uber casual.
Take some time to figure out what rosé will pair best with your menu. And please, make sure not to make any common wine mistakes, like not keeping it at the right temperature. That’s a huge element of drink pairing—otherwise, the flavors will shift! We like these ideas:
- Go for a lighter rosé and a sauvignon blanc for fresh dishes (seafood, salads, etc.)
- Opt for a light-bodied red for meatier dishes
- Always have three bottles on hand—a light red, a crisp white, and either a bubbly or rosé
Make Sure There’s a Backup Plan
Our last tip for throwing a classy backyard dinner party has to do with what happens when the weather shifts. Make sure the inside of your home is just as prepared as the outside in case of rain, bugs, or what have you. You’ll be glad you did!
