A Beautiful Outdoor Dinner Party

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Last weekend, we hosted one of my favorite gatherings, a cozy outdoor dinner party with dear friends.

Early June is such a magical time to entertain outside. The garden is blooming, the evenings stay light well past dinner, and it feels like the perfect way to celebrate the start of summer.

A table set for a meal outdoors on a porch with floral-patterned tablecloth, glassware, silverware, and a vase of pink flowers in the center. Greenery visible in the background.
A bright, airy kitchen with white cabinets, wooden dining table, and wicker chairs. Sunlight streams in through large windows, highlighting yellow flowers on the table and counter.
Gatherings

A Beautiful Outdoor Dinner Party

A woman with blonde hair stands next to a wooden chair and a table covered with a green and white patterned cloth on a porch.

Entertaining outdoors is the best. But let’s be honest, even in June, evenings can still get a little chilly. That’s why I set the table under our covered back porch, where our heaters and fireplace ensured everyone was comfortable and relaxed.

Styling the Table

A dining table with a green floral tablecloth is set with ornate plates, cutlery, and glassware. A vase of pink flowers sits in the center. A garden is visible in the background.

When styling the table, I wanted the entire setting to feel warm, inviting, and layered with texture.

The star of the table was my gorgeous olive green tablecloth and matching napkins from CPC Cotton Print Club. If you haven’t discovered them yet, CPC makes the most beautiful 100% cotton tablecloths and napkins in all kinds of patterns and colors.

Three green and white floral-patterned fabric packs are displayed on a wooden surface, each wrapped in clear plastic with a label marked "cp.

They come in multiple sizes, which is such a bonus when you have a variety of tables or like to mix things up. I loved this Olive Green block print and knew it would bring the perfect soft, natural tone to the evening.

I may sometimes use affiliate links on this blog, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

A green and white floral-patterned tablecloth on a table, with matching folded napkins beside it—perfect for adding charm to any dinner party.
Agate Green Block Printed Cotton 60×90 Inch Tablecloth with 6 Matching Napkins
A table covered with a white floral-patterned tablecloth is elegantly set for a dinner party, featuring plates, a glass, a candle holder, and a vase of white flowers.

Forest Green CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×60 Inch
A table covered with a floral-patterned tablecloth in green, blue, and gold is elegantly set for a dinner party with plates, cups, a wine glass, candle, and flower vase.
Topaz Blue CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×90 Inch
Rectangular table with a green tablecloth featuring a pink floral pattern, perfect for a dinner party, topped with dishes, a wine glass, candle holder, and a vase of flowers.
Tourmaline Pink
CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×90
A rectangular table covered with a white tablecloth featuring a pink and gray floral pattern is elegantly set for a dinner party, complete with a plant, candle holder, wine glass, and stacked dishes.
Pink Sapphire CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×90 Inch Indian Block Print
A rectangular table with a yellow floral tablecloth, set for a dinner party with a white candle, glass, stacked bowls, and a flower arrangement; only part of the table is visible.
Citrine Yellow CPC Tablecloth 100% Cotton 60×90
A set of six green cloth napkins featuring a repeating floral pattern in yellow, white, and red—perfect for adding a cheerful touch to your next dinner party.
Jade Green CPC Cloth Napkins Set of 6
A stack of folded fabric napkins with various floral and botanical patterns in blue, pink, green, and white tones—perfect for adding charm to your next dinner party.
CPC Cloth Napkins Set of 6
Four folded cloth napkins with a blue and green floral pattern on a white background, arranged in a staggered stack—perfect for adding elegance to your next dinner party.
Floral CPC Cloth Napkins Set of 6
Four folded napkins with a white floral and leaf pattern on a green background, arranged in an overlapping stack—perfect for adding elegance to your next dinner party.
Grey CPC Cloth Napkins Set of 6
A wooden dining table with a blue and white floral patterned table runner, set with a plate, fork, and knife—perfect for hosting an elegant dinner party.
CPC Cotton Table Runner 16x 90 (Indigo Blue, 16″x90″)
Five folded cloth napkins with floral and striped patterns in green, pink, and blue tones are stacked in a fanned arrangement on a white background—perfect for adding style to your next dinner party.
CPC Cloth Napkins Set of 6 Cotton Printed Dinner Block Print Napkins
A formal dining table set with floral arrangements, glassware, and silverware is positioned under a porch, overlooking a green garden with trees and lawn chairs in the background.

I paired the tablecloth with my Perlette Cream Melamine dinner plates. These are some of my favorite pieces for outdoor dining because they look elegant and classic but are incredibly durable. The cream color worked beautifully against the olive green backdrop, allowing fresh flowers to pop.

A table set outdoors with floral-patterned dishes, vintage cutlery, etched glasses, and vases of pink roses on a green tablecloth, with a garden visible in the background.

I used clear water glasses for glassware and added some sparkle with my clear and silver wine glasses. The subtle silver rim catches the light, especially in the golden hour before sunset.

A dining table set with floral-patterned cloth, glassware, cutlery, and vases of pink flowers, positioned by large windows overlooking a green garden.

Dinner Party Florals

I went with one of my favorite approaches for the floral arrangements: three low centerpieces in small round glass vases. They’re perfect for dinner parties because they don’t block anyone’s view and keep the conversation flowing. That morning, I stopped by Trader Joe’s and picked up bunches of fresh peonies in soft pinks and whites.

A close-up of a green floral tablecloth with two forks, plates, a glass, and a vase of pink flowers on an outdoor table. Trees and greenery are visible in the background.

Cream Melamine 11″ Dinner Plates

Six clear, tall drinking glasses with intricate floral and geometric etched patterns are arranged in two rows of three against a white background—perfect for adding elegance to your next dinner party.
Clear Embossed Water Glasses, Set of 6
A set of five ornate silver utensils—salad fork, dinner fork, knife, soup spoon, and teaspoon—arranged side by side on a white background, perfect for elevating your next dinner party.
Wallace Queen 18/10 Stainless, Set of 65
Six clear, intricately patterned wine glasses arranged in two rows of three against a white background—perfect for your next dinner party.
Set of 6 Goblets – Glass Crystal
A clear, empty cylindrical glass tumbler stands upright on a white background, ready to be filled for your next dinner party.
Cylinder Clear Glass Vase
A clear vase filled with a bouquet of bright pink peonies and green leaves, perfect as a centerpiece for your next dinner party.
Dark Pink Silk Peony Bouquet

Peonies are always the showstoppers this time of year, and I couldn’t resist their lush, ruffled beauty. I trimmed the stems short and let the flowers burst naturally from the vases. It was a simple setup, but the result felt fresh, romantic, and just the right amount of effortless.

I added my favorite wireless table lamps to the mix to make the space cozy. These little lamps are perfect for outdoor entertaining. They give off a soft, warm light that instantly sets the mood and lets your guests see each other clearly once the sun goes down. I placed one at each end of the table, and they worked beautifully with the glow from the fireplace and the subtle flicker of candles we lit along the mantel.

Seven people sit around a dining table set with food and drinks, decorated with flowers and a lamp, in a room with large windows and a brick fireplace.

The dinner party was held with three other couples from our hometown, and it was such a memorable evening. We’ve known each other for years, and getting together like this always feels like coming home. There’s nothing like good food, great conversation, and a beautifully set table to unite people.

The Menu

Now, let’s talk about the menu. I wanted an elevated dinner that was still easy to serve to a group. I started the evening with appetizers of my homemade crab cakes. They’re golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and served with a lemon butter sauce that I always make. These crab cakes never last long, and I always make a few extras, just in case.

Yield: 25 one inch crab cakes

The Best Crab Cakes Recipe with Lemon Dill Sauce

A large plate of small, round, pan-fried bites arranged around a bowl of creamy dipping sauce with herbs, garnished with fresh parsley.

These crab cakes with lemon dill sauce are to die for. They aren't "fishy" and are by far the most popular appetizer anytime I make them.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes

Ingredients

  • Crab Cakes
  • 3 TBL butter
  • 1 scallion, chopped fine
  • 1 glove garlic, minced
  • 2 TBL red bell pepper, chopped fine
  • Ground red pepper (cayenne) to taste
  • 3 TBL heavy cream
  • 1 TBL dijon mustard
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tsp minced fresh basil
  • 1 tsp minced fresh parsley
  • 1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
  • 1 pound fresh lump crabmeat
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  • 2 TBL vegetable oil
  • Lemon Dill Sauce
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 2 TBL fresh dill chopped
  • 1 TBL minced fresh parsley
  • 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 TBL grated lemon peel
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Instructions

Crab Cakes

  1. Lightly chop the crab meat in the food processor and set aside.
  2. Melt one TBL of the butter in a large skillet and saute the scallion, garlic and red bell pepper until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the ground red pepper, cream and mustard.
  4. Cool slightly. Add the egg, basil, parsley, 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs, and the crabmeat.
  5. Mix lightly. Mold into 25 one-inch wide patties.
  6. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup of bread crumbs and the parmesan cheese in a shallow dish.
  7. Roll the patties in the crumb and cheese mixture.
  8. Chill for at least one hour. (The crab cakes can be made one day prior and refrigerated, covered, up to this point.)
  9. Combine the oil and the remaining 2 TBL of butter over moderate heat in a large skillet.
  10. Saute the crab cakes 3 minutes on each side.

Lemon Dill Sauce

  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
  2. Chill until the mixture thickens.




Notes

The Lemon Dill Sauce in this recipe is also really great with salmon (baked or smoked).




© Leslie Saeta
Category: Appetizers
A stainless steel frying pan with a honeycomb-patterned nonstick interior and metal handle, perfect for preparing meals at your next dinner party, photographed on a white background.
HexClad 12″ Hybrid Stainless Steel Frying Pan w/Stay-Cool Handle
A round, cream-colored dinner plate with a textured, ridged pattern along the rim, perfect for elevating your next dinner party, viewed from above.
Wedgwood Edme Salad Plate
A stack of five small, white ceramic bowls arranged slightly askew on a plain background—perfect for serving sides or desserts at your next dinner party.
3oz Sauce Dishes, Set of 15

For the main course, I served two proteins to give our guests a choice. The first was soy-glazed baked sea bass with a ginger butter sauce. The second was grilled flank steak marinated in garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar for 24 hours. It was perfectly charred on the outside and juicy inside. I sliced it thin and served it family-style so everyone could help themselves.

Yield: 12 small servings

Sea Bass with Soy Glaze and Ginger Butter Sauce

Dinner with Friends Main Entree Sea Bass and Chicken

When I need to impress my guests, I serve this sea bass. It really is that good!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoon Soy Sauce
  • 3 tablespoon Honey
  • 3 teaspoon Rice Wine Vinegar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons of water
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • ⅓ cup chopped shallots
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh ginger
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 6-to-7 ounce sea bass fillets
  • 4 tablespoon chilled butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Soy Glaze

  1. Mix together soy sauce, honey and rice wine vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat.
  2. In a small bowl, mix water and cornstarch until smooth. Add water/cornstarch mixture to saucepan.
  3. Stir mixture over medium to high heat until the glaze is thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and cool mixture to room temperature. Glaze can be prepared 1 day ahead. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate. 

Ginger Butter Sauce

  1. Combine wine, shallots and ginger in small saucepan over high heat.
  2. Boil until liquid is reduced ¼ cup, about 5 minutes. Add cream and boil until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat. Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. If making ahead, cover and refrigerate. 

Sea Bass

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange fish on baking sheet.
  3. If glaze has been refrigerated, bring to room temperature.
  4. Brush glaze onto fish and bake until opaque in center, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven. 
  5. While fish is baking, bring ginger butter sauce to simmer. Remove from heat and add butter to sauce pain whisking until melted.
  6. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon over baked fish and serve.
© Leslie Saeta
Category: Main Dishes

Stainless Steel Mini Whisks

Cuisinart Stainless 1-Quart Saucepan w/Lid

Portmeirion Sophie Conran White Dinner Plates, Set of 4

Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak

Marinated and Grilled Flank Steak
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Additional Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 23 minutes

Ingredients

  • one large flank steak
  • 2 TBL garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Combine the marinade ingredients. Place the flank steak in a ziplock bag and add the marinade. Chill and marinate for at least 4 hours, or best it marinate overnight.

Turn the grill on high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on hot grill and sear for about one minute on each side.
Turn the grill on low and cook until the doneness you want is ready. I highly recommend you use a grill thermometer and take the steak off the grill at 120 to 125°F for rare, 130-140°F for medium rare, and 145°F for medium.
Cover the steak for about five minutes to rest and then slice it across the grain.

© Leslie Saeta

MEATER Plus: Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer

Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set

Sweese Porcelain White Platters, Set of 3

As a side, I made a couscous salad with roasted corn, fresh herbs, and a lemony vinaigrette. It’s an excellent dish for entertaining because it can be served at room temperature and only improves as it sits. The salad added a bit of color to the plate, and the citrus dressing tied it all together.

Saffron Israel Couscous with Corn and Sugar Snap Pea Salad

CousCous Green Salad

This salad is delicious and healthy and a huge hit every time it is served.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box couscous
  • 6 cups stock
  • Saffron, a pinch
  • 3 ears of Sweet corn kernels, sliced from the cob
  • 2 Tbls butter
  • 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 lemon, juice and zest
  • 2 cups Sugar snap peas, flash blanched (15-30 seconds in boiling water then rinsed in cold water and drained) and sliced thin
  • 1 bunch, parsley, chopped

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS
Cook the large-grain couscous in stock or water and a pinch of saffron, per the package instructions.

Cook the corn in butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil for a few minutes, until it is just beginning to brown. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


Transfer the couscous to a bowl and season with the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, and additional salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked corn, blanched sugar snap peas, and parsley.

Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice if needed, because there is no such thing as too much lemon. Serve hot or at room temperature.

© tbd
Category: Salads

Lemon Zester/Microplaner

Spode Blue Italian Salad Servers 

Sophie Conran Salad Bowl

For dessert, I served my Creamsicle Icebox Pie. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for summer, and it was such a hit. The creamy vanilla and bright citrus flavor brought everyone back to childhood. It’s chilled, refreshing, and has just the right sweetness to finish the meal without being too heavy.

Yield: 8 servings

Creamsicle Ice Box Pie

A round white dish with a creamy dessert, garnished with orange zest and crumbs, surrounded by orange slices and rose petals on a light wooden surface.

This Creamsicle Ice Box Pie tasted just like the Creamsicle bars. It's the perfect summer dessert.

Prep Time 40 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers
  • 6 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup whipped cream or whipped topping

Instructions

  1. Mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl.
  2. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish to form the crust. Chill for 30 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
  4. Add the sweetened condensed milk, orange juice, zest, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
  5. Gently fold in the whipped cream.
  6. Pour the filling into the chilled crust and smooth the top.
  7. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours (or overnight) until firm.
  8. Garnish with orange slices, zest, or extra whipped cream before serving.

Tip: You can freeze this pie for a firmer texture - slice it like an ice cream cake!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 296Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 237mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 4g
© Leslie
Category: Desserts
A stack of four round plates with a colorful floral pattern on a white background.

Melamine Small Plates

Dotted Ceramic Pie Pan

Food Processor

By the time dessert was served, we had turned on the string lights in the yard, and the fire was glowing behind us. Everyone lingered at the table, wrapped in light throws, chatting and laughing well into the night. The mood was relaxed, the food was enjoyed, and the setting made everyone feel special. That’s exactly how I want my dinner parties to feel: thoughtful and beautiful but never fussy.

A woman stands behind an outdoor table set with a floral tablecloth and pink flowers, holding a matching napkin, with a garden and lawn in the background.

What I loved most about this evening was how everything came together naturally. The table didn’t need to be overdone, and the food didn’t need to be complicated. It was about the people, the comfort, and creating an experience that felt like a bit of escape. I’ve learned that the rest takes care of itself when you build a table from pieces you genuinely love and cook the food you’re excited to share.

A table set with floral-patterned green tablecloth, matching napkin, white plate, glassware, cutlery, and a vase of pink peonies.

So, if you’re planning an outdoor dinner this summer, I hope this inspires you to create a table that reflects your style, season, and story. Start with a tablecloth you love. Add fresh flowers, good lighting, and plates that make you smile. Cook something that makes your house smell amazing, and offer a dish that can be made ahead.

Most importantly, invite people who bring joy to your life. That’s the magic combination.

As for me, I’ll be back at this table again soon, hopefully many times this summer. And each time, I’ll remember that beautiful evening, the gorgeous tablecloth, glowing peonies, the flickering lights, and the warmth of good friends gathered around a table under the stars.

Serena & Lily Inspired Amazon Finds

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3 Comments

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