How to Host the Perfect Alfresco Dinner Party

Nothing beats enjoying some delicious food, delightful drinks and great company alfresco style! Dinner parties can often feel overwhelming to host, so here are some tips on how to host the perfect alfresco party that will no doubt feel magical and unforgettable!

Plan Ahead

Planning, prepping and being organised is half the work completed! Pre-chop and pre-cook whatever you can so you maximise your time with your guests, you don’t want to be spending every moment in the kitchen. Always build in a contingency plan and allow plenty of time. Serve dishes that you have time to make and that you know you are experienced in making – this will avoid a lot of faffing about and unneeded stress. Make a list of EVERYTHING and guard it with your life – recipes and ingredients, number of guests, décor, music, theme – everything! 

Start With a Cocktail Hour

A great way to kick off the evening is by starting with a cocktail hour – who doesn’t love being greeted with a refreshing drink?  Make sure you have plenty of ice, there is nothing worse than having a warm drink especially on a hot summery day. You could create a little drinks station display with cocktails and even mocktails for those guests who do not drink any alcohol. Mojitos, margaritas and sangria make for great dinner party cocktails. You could serve some appetisers alongside the drinks – tasty nibbles like olives, cheese, cured meats, dips and crisps always go down a treat.

Create a Beautiful Table Setting

One of the biggest wow factors of the evening is your table setting. From your choice of plates and napkins to candles and flowers, you can get really creative! If you’ve picked a theme for your evening, you can pair the colours to your theme, for example, if you’ve chosen a Mexican or Spanish food theme you can choose bright and vibrant colours for your table setting. Alternatively, you can opt for a minimalistic look that is simple but still classy and stylish. You can even add some beautiful fairy lights so once the sun goes down the whole table looks alive and magical – and the food can still be seen! Spend some time in advance perfecting your statement table setting – it will definitely be appreciated by your guests.

Stick to Simple but Delicious Food

Don’t overcomplicate the food, it will only cause more stress. Having different foods all needing to be cooked at different temperatures, for example, will only add more pressure on you. Pick some ‘one-pot wonders’, for example, paella if you chose a Spanish theme, a slow cooker curry if you opted for an Indian inspired menu, or perhaps a scrumptious chilli if you decided on Mexican. Get your guests to dive in and serve themselves, it definitely makes the whole atmosphere feel less formal and more relaxed and enjoyable. Add a beautiful salad on the side and voila! – you’ve got yourself a winner!

Remember the Finishing Touches

It’s always the little details that get noticed and get appreciated the most! For example, if it is a hot summery day, keep some sun cream out on the table, including some mosquito repellent spray. You could even put out some citronella candles, that way you’re thinking of the aesthetics but also being practical. Ensure there is some shaded area or large umbrella for your guests to know they will be protected from any strong UV rays. Alternatively, if you know it will be a chilly night, then place some blankets or throws outside so your guests can get cosy and keep warm if needed. You can add some cushions too, not only does it look nice but it will keep your guests comfortable and relaxed. Maybe you could even have a designated area for playing games – it’s a great way to get everybody involved, interacting and buzzing! You can even put some speakers outside (as long as your neighbours are okay with it) and play some music throughout the day/evening – it definitely creates a lovely ambience. The little attention to detail is what makes a good party great, and shows your guests that you’ve been thoughtful and attentive, which definitely makes for a perfect host.

Hosting a party can definitely be a bit daunting and nerve-wracking, there are so many things to think of, from games and entertainment to eye-catching décor, to tasty food, plus the stress that comes with the uncertainty of the weather! And yes, so many things could potentially go wrong! But worry not… stick to the above tips and no doubt your guests will be raving about your hosting skills for a very long time! They’ll be coming to you for all your tips and secrets on hosting the perfect alfresco dinner party, one that was truly unforgettable.