Last Days of Summer Dinner Party

Even if back to school isn’t actually the end of Summer, we all feel like it is. With Labour Day right around the corner it’s time to throw the last hoorah of the season. A dinner party that lasts into the summer evening is a great way to soak up the last days of sunshine with friends and family before the inevitable Vancouver rain.

Throwing a dinner party means having a styled tablespace. Some key details to elevate your table are centerpieces, dinnerware, napkins, and lighting.

Centerpiece

Getting the focal point of your table right can easily dignify any tablescape. With outdoor dining you can’t go wrong with greenery. Our suggestion – herbs! Not only will they leave a lingering fragrance to complement the food but they’re easy to care for too. A couple pots, in whatever style you’re drawn to, and some fresh thyme or rosemary or any combination you can think of really and poof the easiest centerpiece that makes a statement to multiple senses.

Dinnerware

A common material used in outdoor tableware – melamine. A lightweight, durable material that is outdoor (and kid) safe. Melamine dinnerware has come a long way, with all kinds of colours, patterns and styles. With such variety it’s easy to pick one that will embellish your dinner and table. A First Impression tip: layer your dinnerware over a charger plate in another material (woven, rattan, wood, ect.). 

Napkins

In our opinion, no table is set without a napkin on top. Napkins can bring colour to your setting or soften it depending on what dinnerware is selected. How you display the napkin can really speak to whatever “vibes” you’re going for. Using a napkin ring is more classic and can polish up the table whereas the knotted napkins create a cool casual dinner. Fabric napkins may seem like more hassle to some but they will last for dinner parties to come and are a better alternative for the environment.

Lighting 

With so many lighting options to choose for the outdoors, we've narrowed it down to our favourites. A canopy of some sort not only protects from the elements, it’s also a great place to hang some lights. A pendant over the dining table will help to keep the eating area separate from the conversational area. Outdoor string lights are undoubtedly the most used these days. They can hang from a canopy, in the trees, along a fence; whatever is most practical in your space. The last pick is more of an atmosphere creator but can give off some light. Candles! They create a calm, romantic setting that can’t be duplicated. Pillar candles in hurricane vases keep the flame enclosed and are economical at the same time. With the right lighting you can take your party past sunset.

Now all you need is a guestlist! Enjoy the last few weeks of Summer, and soak up all the sunshine you can.

Happy Friday!