Hosting the Perfect Summer Soirée
In this blog post, Laura shares how to host the perfect summer dinner party to stun all your guests.
As a self-proclaimed, hostess with the mostest, I live for a dinner party. There’s nothing better than a warm summer night filled with laughter, good food and even better company. From the menu to the decor, I want nothing short of perfection.
Below are the most important factors to consider when planning a dinner party, in no particular order. My biggest suggestion is: pick a theme! This will help to determine the menu, the decor, and maybe the dress code depending on the theme. But most important is to have fun and enjoy the company that you're in!
The Atmosphere
In Montreal, we cherish the summer days and nights because we know what comes next (and it can wait!). As long as the weather is warm, you’ll want to take advantage of your outdoor dining set. Create a table scape with fresh flowers and a variety of candles for the perfect evening.
The Food
The most important part of any dinner party is the food. Now, that is all entirely preference but themes are great for dinner parties! Not only do they help decide the menu, it’ll also help determine the atmosphere!
Some dinner themes are:
Summer BBQ
Taco Night
Wine & Cheese
Heavy Apps
Homemade Pizza Party
The Drinks
No dinner party is complete without a cocktail bar! My drink of choice in the summer is an Aperol Spritz but just recently since visiting Portugal, I’m loving the Mateus Rosé! Of course, you’ll want to serve cocktails and drinks that complement your theme and elevates the menu. Fruity sangrias, mojitos or even a mocktail iced tea are some delightful ideas depending on what you’re serving.
The Sweets
When it comes to wrapping up the night, they’re nothing better than a sweet treat! You can never go wrong with a fire pit and marshmallows to create the perfect s’mores. It is a whole dessert experience!
Again, everything is best when matching your theme. If you’re hosting a homemade pizza party night, you might want to serve Nutella pizza for dessert!
The Extras
While some great company is often all you need for an unforgettable evening, I love to sometimes transform the gathering into an outdoor movie night! Watch the latest movie on Netflix or a classic while curdled up under blankets with a bowl of popcorn.
Summer nights are made for unforgettable memories and I love crafting a dinner party experience for my friends and family to enjoy. So find a theme and the rest will come!
What’s the theme of your next dinner party?
Xoxo,
Laura from Olivia + Laura
