Elegant but Easy Outdoor Dinner Party Ideas

My best friend threw us the most amazing going away party at her home. She had so many gorgeous details and clever ideas that I had to share these outdoor dinner party ideas with you here on DIY Inspired.

Dinner Party Table Setting

This party was simple and elegant. She used an all-white table cloth, gold chargers, and white dinner plates, which allowed the flower bouquets to be the focus of the table.

The flowers had a mix of white, yellow, and green. I love the way she mixed in palm leaves. I love that they were low in height so that it did not block the guests sitting across from one another.

At each setting she also placed a macaroon in a plastic dome she found at Hobby Lobby.

She also printed a menu for each table and personalized the napkins.

How to Personalize Cloth Napkins and Reuse Them

This part was brilliant. The hostess used her Cricut Machine to cut out each name in vinyl, instead of using an iron on. This way, the names can be easily removed and the cloth napkins could be washed and used again for the next party.

Patio Dinner Party Decorations

Above the dinner table, the hosts used green fence netting tied with zip ties to the patio slats. They then stuck a mix of artificial and real greenery creating extra shade with a tropical feel.

Dinner Party Appetizers

Before dinner, as the couples mingled, the hosts provided a meat and cheese charcuterie board to each couple. The charcuterie boards were purchased from Hobby Lobby. She arranged them with bread sticks, salami, and grapes, so that the kids could easily grab and munch as well.

Outdoor Dinner Party Menu

The hosts had this meal catered and served and it was fantastic. I wanted to share the menu here. Don’t ask me any questions about the menu… I was just there to eat… haha!!! PLUS, I’m NO cook!

Amuse Bouche

Cold Smoke Salmon Mi Cuit

Cured, sous vide, and cold smoked
honey, pepper corn, coriander glazed
wasabi cream
brioche crisps
apple
pickled mustard seeds
shiso

First Course

Beef Tongue

Skewered and seared
Soy demi
Lemon thyme furikake
Green Mango Salad
Asian Mints
Dried shrimp powder
Beef tendon crisp

Main Course

Pork Cheeks

24 hour sous vide
Coconut, lemon grass, ginger glaze
Sweet potato puree
Stuffed crispy okra
Curried roasted cauliflower
Pickled mango

Finale

Ginger Lavender Crème Brulee

Ginger custard
Candied pecans
Ginger crystals
Lavender flowers

Going Away Party Ideas

Lastly, this was a going away party for us. When we first walked through the door, the hosts had a beautiful jungle themes balloon arch. On the wall she had pictures of my family. Next to it, she had a vintage typewriter. In the typewriter was a beautiful fictional story her husband wrote about our family and our move.

It’s all about the details! It was an amazing night and I feel so lucky to have friends like these. Maily has had some amazing parties in the past. You can check out her Toy Story Party and her Parent’s Anniversary Party as well.