While dining alfresco for most of us home entertainers is a bit more on the casual side during the summer months, I do love the option of bringing out the formal china for an outdoor tablescape. Last week, we hosted a dinner party with friends we haven’t seen since last year, during the Christmas holiday. Nothing is sweeter than friendship and amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we decided to break from routine and organized an impromptu dinner to catch-up on our lives.
While rain was in the forecast for later in the evening, I decided to take a chance on setting up on our deck since the morning and afternoon hours was full of sun. While we can, we would like to make the most of the summer season by hosting special gatherings, alfresco style. There’s just something so timeless and pretty about dining outdoors. The setting is already scenic and being surrounded by nature is the perfect backdrop.
I adore styling and curating pieces for a tablescape that creates a special atmosphere for guests to enjoy, while sharing stories and laughing.
To set the tone for this dinner party, I started by creating a bright floral arrangement, filled with an array of pink carnations in all of its ruffled elegance and romantic cabbage spray roses. Carnations may not be a popular flower by most but they are surely longer lasting and when grouped with together, they are simply beautiful. I chose a solid champagne-colored fabric and a timeless lace overlay in the same hue – all of which compliments the table decor. Each place setting was adorned with glass chargers accented with a delicate gold rim. To play up the mixed metals, silver-rim dinner plates, matching crystal stemware, and vintage gray salad plates played well against the glitz of the rest of the gold accents. The table featured the perfect shades to help tie the color palette together – creating a timeless and elegant design.
If you’re looking for table inspiration – this look would be pretty for a bridal shower, a birthday soirée, an anniversary gathering, or simply a dinner party gathering with those you love.
For ambient lighting and to enhance the mood, clear crystal taper candle holders and gold votive candle holders dressed the center of the table. Tall candlesticks add a beautiful glow, but are slender enough that they won’t block sight lines. Those decorative pieces played off the look from the place settings – creating a cohesive look.
Inspiration for a table can come from the most unexpected places. That inspiration can then ignite the spark that sets your imagination ablaze. When creating a formal outdoor tablescape, know your aesthetic and color scheme. Your event will reflect your sense of style and guests will notice. This dinner party was filled with smiles, full bellies, and long-lasting memories.
-Photos + Styling by Rose Angel Lopez
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