Summer Entertaining Tips for Al Fresco Dining

Summer Entertaining Tips & Ideas for Al Fresco Dining. Blue & White tablescape ideas. Tablescape layering tips. Ways to make outdoor dining fun & easy!

Eating outside in the summer is one of my favorite things to do. It’s relaxing, the fresh air feels wonderful and the food tastes better. Al Fresco dining at home can seem like extra work but there are ways to simplify the process so it’s enjoyable. Today I’m sharing my summer entertaining tips along with other bloggers on our Summer Entertaining Tour hosted by Lory from Designthusiasm. If you are coming over from StoneGable, welcome! There will be more links and inspiration at the bottom of the post…so stick around!

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Summer Entertaining Tips for Al Fresco Dining

Must Have Item: A Large Tray

One thing that is crucial to outdoor dining success is a large but light-weight tray. It makes carrying items in and out super simple. I use the one pictured below. It usually lives on my dining room table or coffee table so it’s easy to just grab it and go.

Source tip: I found this set of trays that would work perfectly and is a great price.

Set the Table with Layers

Layering a table is the perfect way to show your guests that you made an effort…without really making an effort! It’s so easy but it looks like you spent a lot of time putting everything together. It takes no time at all to place a tray under your centerpiece…or stack some plates.

Keep it Simple

Al Fresco dining can be easy and fun if you keep it simple. Use what you have and don’t be afraid to mix things up. Combine new and vintage linens. Add texture with fresh flowers and natural wicker. If your seats are missing cushions, add comfy pillows.

Make Some Memories

As I was writing this post, some memories from the past surfaced and even though it’s hard, I’d like to share them with you. When my kids were growing up, my parents lived in a lovely brick house with a screened-in back porch. My mom’s porch furniture included a big round table and chairs. Almost every Sunday in the summer when my husband was golfing, I would take the kids out to my parents’ house for lunch. My dad would cook steak on the grill, my mom would make baked potatoes and a big salad, and I was in charge of setting the table on the porch. My mom had a tray that I would pile up with pretty plates, cloth napkins and tall glasses for lemonade. It usually took two trips to get everything out there but it was so worth the extra effort. Looking back now, those lunches were some of the happiest times spent with my parents. Dining Al Fresco at its very best. So grab your tray, fire up the grill and make some memories of your own!

Summer Entertaining Tips
Shopping Sources

Thank you for stopping by! Now…please go over and visit the next stop on the tour, my friend Lidy from French Garden House…and then take a minute and check out the rest of the links for today. There are summer entertaining tips and ideas plus so much inspiration that I know there is something for everyone!

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