How to Plan a Backyard Dinner Party – Part One
I love to plan parties. I created this backyard dinner party for my family. Everything … the location, lighting, and flowers, was amazing.
Today, I am sharing how to plan a backyard dinner party at home. With a few creative ideas, you can create a fantastic party like this right in your yard!
Most people think the menu is the first thing to plan when hosting a dinner party.
It isn’t.
The most successful dinner parties begin with one decision: the experience you want guests to have.
Before I choose recipes, flowers, linens, or even a date, I decide how I want the evening to feel.
Relaxed.
Elegant.
Celebratory.
Casual
And spoiled.
Everything else follows from that choice.
I wanted to create a really special dinner party, and my guests were the best ever, our family! This dinner was a magical evening, and I used DIYs to make it special.
Today, I am sharing how to plan this backyard dinner party. You can do this too!
Our family was all in town, and I wanted to create a tablescape for an incredible dinner party. I created a magical dinner with decor, lighting, ambiance, good wine, and a home-cooked meal.
How to Create an Outdoor Dining Room
It took me a while to select the location for our dinner. While we have held several parties in our backyard, one of my favorite locations is poolside.
So I picked this area in front of our pool.
A few years ago, I bought some old vintage porch posts. I used them to create an outdoor dining room and wanted to do it again.
I bought these porch posts at a vintage sale, but you can find them on Facebook Marketplace. Just search for “porch posts.”
Vintage porch posts have holes in them, so I figured I could pound stakes into the ground to partially support them. All I did was pound the stakes in the grass and slip the porch posts over the stakes.
I also used some 1″ x 2″ x 8′ lumber to secure the porch posts on top. The photos below give you an idea.
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Next, I placed another board across the center top of the frame. I hung three strings of solar cafe lights, which I bought a few years ago and have used many times!
I decided I needed greenery along the top of the board and asked my husband to trim our tree. He gladly obliged, and I placed the small branches all across the top, securing them with green floral wire.
Setting the Table
I have a pretty big inventory of chargers, placemats, and dinnerware. I decided using copper accents would be fun, so I selected a burlap runner, woven placemats, and copper chargers.
I made the floral centerpieces and added my favorite copper candlesticks. You can get three of these copper candlesticks for only $21!
I love how the table turned out. I made the place cards with my circuit machine, and I promise to share how I did it in my next blog post!
As the evening progressed, the table became more beautiful as the sun set.
The lights were unique and created a perfect poolside ambiance.
The table was simple but created the perfect gathering for our family.
My Favorite Must-Haves for Outdoor Entertaining!
I will be sharing more details about the table setting tomorrow, including how to make the place cards and flower arrangements with grocery store flowers!
You can pin the image below to your Entertaining or Party Planning boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top corner). You can also follow me on Pinterest!
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Beautiful!
Thank you, Teresa!
Love the total look … Gorgeous!
Thank you very much, such a fun project!
What are the lights floating in the pool and where did you get them? Beautiful. Thanks!
So beautiful and inspirational Leslie!
I love the pool lanterns too!
Thank you for sharing this ❤️
Thank you! You are so welcome, and I am glad you enjoyed.
Love this but please share the menu recipes?
Beautiful and appreciate your simplicity! You ALWAYS inspire me!! Thank you!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you are here to follow along with me!
Thank you so much for sharing. It is beautiful! Can you share if you made or bought the pool lanterns. I LOVE this idea!
Gorgeous and what a lucky family you have. You are such an inspiration
Thank you so much, Margaret, you are so sweet to say that! We sure do enjoy each other 🙂
Well…that is just gorgeous ⭐️💙🌙
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Score card
Leslie 10
Covid 0
Out of the park!!
Haha! Wow, thank you Claudette.
beautiful…(will miss seeing you at Haven). Tell us more about the floating pool lights!
hugs,
Alda
Thank you Alda! It was such a fun party to plan 🙂
Pinned and entered! 😉 This is such a gorgeous table! I’m continuing to get tons of ideas for our backyard re-do from your beautiful posts! 💗 And Happy Wednesday!
Yay! Thanks Barbara, hope you are having a great week as well.
This is absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you, Kim!
Very clever. It is simply beautiful and magical!
Thank you so much, Sandra!
Gorgeous and you’re using principles of sustainable decor, love this and thank you!!
Thank YOU, Kathryn.
I kept clicking but can’t see how to do floating lanterns anywhere.
Here you go! https://my100yearoldhome.com/how-to-make-floating-paper-lanterns/
Beautiful I am inspired!
What about the greenery above the table?
Thanks
Super cute!
Leslie, I LOVE your content, but you are starting to get way too many ads. I hope you can eliminate all thise pop-up ads.
Hi Debbie! I know it’s frustrating- it’s one of the downsides of free content. Maybe one day!
Gorgeous, your family must love going to your house for dinner. I can’t imagine any one of them saying “Dang, we have to go eat at mom’s house AGAIN . . . !” Such a treat for any of your “to be” guests. Keep spreading the love Leslie!
Yes they do! Although they are used to being my “guinea pigs” for my blog content I do spoil them with great food and a fun theme!
Leslie