Searching “summer dinner party” on Pinterest may show you seemingly unrealistic snapshots of idealized picnics by the lakeside or fairy lights and flowers hanging over a daintily-set outdoor table. But how do you make these get-together fantasies come to life?
What I’ve come to find is it’s less about the perfect table setting or the painstakingly-refined menu — guests remember the vibeor how they felt during the party. Nonetheless, preparation in the areas of decor and food surely enhance the event’s success.
Below is a step-by-step guide — from some low-budget items like table cloths and table decor to easy yet impressive recipes for dishes — for college girls to get their friends together mid-summer for an aesthetic, memorable night.
Step 1 – The Menu
Although the food may not be top-of-mind when the decor and company may seem like greater forces to reckon with, a great dinner party should never sacrifice a promising menu. I’d recommend keeping the menu in touch with the summery vibe, choosing fresh, light dishes that are both pretty on the plate and agreeable to the stomach.
To start, a quickly tossed salad makes for the perfect appetizer. You can never go wrong with a cucumber ribbon salad or a watermelon feta salad — the mint perfectly compliments a summer sunset.
If you’re looking for a dish to pass around while the guests mill about, try making these melon prosciutto skewers, or any skewers for that matter, or some more casual tostadas that make for a tasty, savory bite.
Moving on to the main course, a summer dinner party dish should never stress the host out too much. Focus on crowd-pleaser dishes that can mostly be prepped ahead of time, like grilled kebabs with veggies and meat, lemon pasta with spinach, or a grilled chicken and orzo salad. Better yet, if your guests are down for dinner and an activity, these personalized pizzas are always a hit.
And for dessert — the easiest crowd-pleasing dish — I usually reach for something comforting and simple: a homemade batch of chocolate chip cookies or brownies will do the trick. If instead you are looking to elevate this part of the meal, try a fruit cobbler, tiramisu, or strawberry cake. A lighter, fruitier (and easier) option could look like a raspberry sorbet garnished with some mint or a bowl of berries and whipped cream. Lastly, If a fire is available, roasting s’mores is always a trusty idea.
Step 2 – The Theme
Centering the menu, decor, and dress code around a central theme can elevate the dinner from an everyday get-together to a can’t-miss event. Choosing a general theme like garden party, a night in Capri, coastal grandmother or classic backyard BBQ can foster a sense of festivity to break up the lethargic summer days.
Step 3 – The Guest List
Who will get the pleasure of attending your well-thought out evening? An intentional guest list cannot be skimmed to ensure a successful night unfolds.
First, is there a reason for the party? If it’s a high school friend group get together, your guest list may already be determined by the sacred group chat that continues to remain strong, in which case your work is done. But if you’re hoping to improve your connections with work colleagues, neighbors, or activity partners, you still have some work to do.
If you’re on a budget, numbers matter. Stick to six to 12 guests for your party — this advice also applies to hosts that are hoping to stay relaxed and enjoy putting on their first dinner party. When keeping it small, think especially hard about every invitee and how they will get along — it’s best to group people by shared interests to ensure that conversation will remain lively!
If a larger party is your goal, I like to write down a list of everyone I could possibly invite, grouped by how I know them. I won’t necessarily choose an invite list solely from one source, but I like to recognize which potential guests may know each other beforehand. From there, I recommend narrowing down the list by keeping a few solid invitees that you know can talk to anyone, and filling the rest of the spaces by keeping in mind a balance of shared interests and new connections.
Think about the general vibe while completing this step — do you want guests to feel completely at ease and comfortable, or do you hope to inspire interesting conversation and create an environment in which guests will speak to new people? It’s up to you, as long as you stay cognizant of the effects of mixing groups and personalities.
Step 4 – The Presentation
Cute dishware and utensils are key to completing the atmosphere of the night, and a simple tablecloth adhering to your chosen theme is enough to seal the deal. A coastal grandma tablecloth, hanging wisteria flowers for a garden theme, or a homemade centerpiece of lemons and florals for an Italian theme can help convey continuity of your theme. Head to a thrift store for statement pieces like whimsically designed placemats, cups, or utensils if you’re looking to achieve your theme on a budget!
Table napkins are a simple way to elevate the table setting — finding your perfect set can be as easy as browsing Etsy or Amazon for a pattern that fits with the rest of your decor. A few hours before the party, you can’t forget to stop at Trader Joe’s to pick up some flowers for the table and around the dining area.
Lastly, and getting into the nitty-gritty of the night, attention to timing of bringing out each course should not be dismissed. Your intentional presence in the event is essential for this step — sensing the progression of the party and when your guests are ready for their next course takes diligence and practice! Keep the party moving, but allow for interludes and conversation between courses. Ideally, the dishes you choose should require minimal in-the-moment preparation so that you can quickly disappear and reappear to present the next course with little stress.
With this guide, July is an empty canvas for you to paint joyful, festive gatherings — happy dinner partying!
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