Tips for Hosting a Fabulous Fall Outdoor Party.

Hello everyone! I recently styled the most darling outdoor party for work and it all happened in my back yard!

Now that the mosquitoes have disappeared and the weather has cooled, entertaining outside is a much more pleasant experience. I recently hosted an impromptu casual get together that required very little planning and we all had such a great time! Here are some quick tips to help make your fall soiree a hit with your guests.

Theme

Developing a theme helps to keep your look cohesive. I like to use color palettes as themes and for this party, I incorporated a predominantly blue and white with splashes of black and gold color scheme. I chose that scheme because our handmade outdoor table is predominantly blue with pink details, and the chosen color scheme would look beautiful against it. In addition, it allowed me to use items I already had.

 Table Details

Don’t be afraid to mix old and new! I mixed vintage pieces like the candlesticks, scored from thrift stores with my more modern pieces for an eclectic and fun look. With the abundance of pumpkins since it is fall, I added them in the center and randomly placed some at different areas of the table. Add some gourds, pinecones, and succulents for texture and more color!

The Food

We love to grill, and also enjoy shopping at our local Farmer’s Market for fresh produce. You can get whatever vegetables are in season and pair them with your meat of choice. Everything can be prepared on the grill. Our grill master, my hubby, prepared Jamaican jerk chicken, grilled asparagus and bell peppers with grilled sweet potatoes. 

Sliced baguette with cheese made a great appetizer while the main course was being grilled.

Caramel apples covered in almonds made the perfect mouth watering dessert.

Drink

Wine was our drink of choice, but spiced apple cider is a fall favorite and would make a great alternative or addition. It can be served either hot or cold.

The Playlist

Having beautiful music in the background of a party usually helps to create the perfect ambiance. The atmosphere and vibe are dependent on the type of music chosen. Since we wanted a mellow vibe, our playlist had the likes of Sade, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Amy Winehouse, Yuna, Adele, Frank Sinatra filling the air with melodious tunes. 

Getting Cozy by The Fire

After dinner, getting cozy by the fire is a must! If you don’t have an in ground fire pit, portable fire pits are a great alternative. They are available at stores like Lowes and Home Whether in ground or portable, fire pits set the stage for a cozy and warm gathering. Add some marshmallows in the mix, and the experience is simply magical. 

Quick tip: Be sure to have blankets on hand for your guests. 

P.S. If you're local, don't forget to grab a copy of the Observer to read this feature which was the cover story for this week's Sunday Life. 

all images by Tiffany Parsons