Al fresco is a style of dining that is casual and often party-like in its atmosphere. During the warm summer months, enjoy the weather and the company of neighbors, family and friends by moving your dinner party outside. Make the mood more memorable by dressing your table to perfection with these 4 easy tips.
Skip on Paper
Paper napkins seem like a practical choice for an outdoor setting but when the wind blows, there go your napkins, scattered across the yard. Instead, go for cloth napkins in a soft-colored linen or a colorful print. They not only won’t blow away as easily, they are more elegant as well as more eco-friendly.
Mix and Match
Don’t worry about your dishes matching. Using a mix of colors and patterns lends to a party atmosphere. You can also mix glassware and silverware to enhance the playful vibe. The key is to have something to tie it all together, whether it is a color palette or a theme.
Keep it Simple
You may be tempted to use a gorgeously arranged bouquet as your centerpiece, but that can be a little too formal for most garden parties. Placing a few cut flowers from your garden into a vase, or something as simple as Baby's Breath in a glass pitcher is lovely and effortless. Add a few candles in various sizes to set the mood, (and keep away insects).
Seating is Essential
Not enough places for your guests sit and dine? Be creative with seating. Just like your table setting, it’s on trend to mix and match chairs. Need more table space? Throw a colorful cloth over two saw horses and a plywood board – voila! Instant table. Add a bit of coziness with outdoor pillows in various prints.
After all the table setting, all you need to worry about is what to serve your guests.
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