At Hester & Cook, we believe there is always a moment to celebrate. We never hesitate to celebrate anything life throws our way. So when the seasons change, it’s the perfect reason to throw an outdoor dinner party. We’re sharing all the details to help you plan a fall dinner party of your own.
We began our planning knowing we wanted to incorporate pieces from our Harvest Story for a warm, woodsy feel. Our Thankful Table Runner makes a statement on long banquet tables and is perfect for an intimate evening outdoors celebrating the “thankful season”. It pairs beautifully with the Die-cut Golden Harvest Placemat for a festive, seasonal touch.
We set the table for 24 guests which is the perfect number because our die-cut placemats include 12 sheets each.
We opted to mix and match vintage china dinnerware and vintage silver-plate flatware instead of paperware. It elevates the occasion and makes each place setting feel unique and personal to each guest. If you don’t feel comfortable taking your china outdoors, opt for these eco-friendly, disposable bamboo plates instead.
We also used our favorite wine glasses from Crate & Barrel – the Camille.
To complete the place setting, we used linens from ___ and these darling Fox & Hare Napkin Rings.
To continue with the vintage theme, we used an assortment of vintage chairs with our long banquet tables. This is another unique way to build on the environment you’re aiming for.
A lighting source is necessary to enjoy an evening outdoors and while we easily could have used string lights, we decided to go all out, in true Hester & Cook fashion, with our famous Spoondeliers. This truly created the environment we were striving for and set the tone for the entire evening. They were wonderful conversation starters, too. While we definitely don’t recommend keeping your Spoondeliers outdoors, they certainly have the same effect in your indoor dining spaces.
To add a bit more fall flare to the evening, we designed and constructed festive centerpieces using Vintage Silver-plate Tea Servers and dried florals from our local flower shop, Import Flowers Nashville. It was so fun to explore the seasonal varieties and create a colorful focal point on the table.
Of course, we can’t forget to share what’s on the menu! We chose to cater a southern style meal with a buffet and included a menu at each setting to inform guests of their options ahead of time. We hand-crafted each menu which added an extra special personal touch. If you’re not feeling extra creative, many of our table accents are great options for a menu card!
Buffets are a great option when feeding a crowd and can easily be elevated for a more sophisticated look. We used table runners under the food plates and used place cards as food labels. Our serving papers are great for sweet treats, charcuterie and small bites.
We created a designated drink bar and dessert bar, too. Providing food and beverage stations at your event is a great way to incorporate a variety of options along with creating an interactive experience for your guests.
Don’t forget the toast! Every host knows the best way to kick off a special celebration is with a memorable toast. So raise your glass and cheers to creating meaningful experiences this fall!
Videography: Joshua Smith @listentojoshua @truesourceent
Products Used:
Die-cut Golden Harvest Placemats
Vintage Silver-plate Tea Server
Vintage Silver-plate Serving Tray
Autumn Arrangement Cocktail Napkins
Autumn Arrangement Place Cards