Creating a Backyard Picnic for Guests
I absolutely love entertaining outside especially in the late summer and early fall. My gardens are all still in full bloom and everything is alive with deep rich colors and fragrances. It’s a perfect time to be outside in nature with people you love. It creates an atmosphere that invites warm conversations and shared experiences that will last a lifetime.
Entertaining doesn’t have to be formal when having friends and family over for a dinner or even for just appetizers and a beverage. What’s most important is that you have an inviting environment that makes your guests feel special and welcomed. It’s all the little things that capture the persons heart. The rest is really all about sharing those special moments together.
Here I created a little vignette within one of my gardens where I served a few appetizers and some nice bottles of wine with friends. I always like to have a theme in mind when decorating for an event no matter how informal. Here my theme is backyard picnic in the garden.
I put some comfortable cushions on my Adirondack chairs and placed one of the two platters I created on a table between two of the four chairs. I purchased those cushions with comfort in mind and I can say that no one wanted to get up off those chairs. They were exactly what I was looking for!
My platters were filled with crackers and cheese, fruits and vegetables along with both plain and chocolate covered nuts. On each of the platters, I added some of my favorite wine glasses with a bottle of wine on each small table.
This allowed for us to just sit, stay a while and relax. I also added a vase on each table with some sunflowers just to add a bit of elegance to my presentation.
With just a few key ideas based on your theme, it is very easy to create a beautiful vignette for your evening. All the little details make for a gorgeous design whether in your home or outside. I was most interested in having a small gathering of my closes friends, where I could just share stories and laughter in a comfortable outdoor setting. I think I nailed it!
I spread this sweet vintage green and white linen tablecloth I found in France on the ground and put a tray of appetizers on top of it. I loved that the colors were in harmony with the surrounding nature.
Later in the evening after we finished dinner, I served a homemade chocolate cake garnished with some fresh raspberries with sprigs of mint from my garden. It was the perfect finish to a wonderful evening.
Chocolate Cake
““A party without a cake is just a meeting.” ”
The goal in creating a wonderful backyard picnic for guests to enjoy is to concentrate on the details. Your guests simple comforts and good food make all the difference in the world.
Create a small vignette in or around your garden using cozy chairs and small tables to place your appetizers on. With beautiful flowers and good company what can go wrong! Use what you have in your house and trust yourself. Don’t be afraid to bring your beautiful plates and glasses outdoors. It really does make a difference.
The thing is…use your own innate imagination and get creative. If you love it, your guests will too. Be authentic to your own personal style and have fun!
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining my friends!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
Bouquet of sunflowers
