Tips For Elegant Outdoor Entertaining

This is the perfect time of year for outdoor entertaining and there are so many elegant and fun ideas to work with, you’re sure to find something your guests will enjoy. Start by creating the perfect outdoor setting with colorful and exotic furnishings such as an outdoor umbrella to keep the sun off of your guests and give your party an oasis feel. Use solid colored tablecloths and place cutwork lanterns, votives and mini bouquets from the garden to adorn the table. Multiple light sources are nice for when the sun goes down and don’t forget about the citronella candles to keep unwanted bugs and mosquitoes away. If you really want to get fancy, place cushions or throw pillows on outdoor chairs and drape shawls over each incase it gets chilly in the evening.

The table setting should be practical but stylish. Plates made of melamine are perfect for these occasions and they come in an array of attractive colors and designs. Serving fruity sodas and fresh squeezed lemonade will give your guests an assortment of drinks to choose from and keep them chilled in a decorative galvanized tub filled with ice. If you are serving mixed drinks, make sure to have a separate ice bucket for making drinks and it is always nice to have a separate bar area, just for adults. A fire pit is always cozy for after dark and it will give your guests a place where they can congregate and mingle.

When planning your menu, try to accommodate everyone by serving at least one vegetarian entrée. Mini Portobello burgers are perfect and they are a great option for a main course. Be sure to make plenty though because your meat lovers are apt to find them appetizing too. Traditional potato salad and fresh corn on the cob are the most popular favorites for side dishes and take advantage of the freshest fruits of the summer by serving blueberry or peach pie along side vanilla ice cream for a wonderful finale to your feast. Try to plan your appetizers around a theme if you have one and make sure you make extra that you can pull out incase the party goes late. Your guests who are consuming alcohol will thank you.