If you want to throw an outdoor dinner party without blowing your budget, you have plenty of options to consider. From DIY projects to efficient food planning, there are plenty of outdoor dinner party ideas that don’t require outrageous spending.
Before you start planning your next outdoor event, consider trying these simple tips:
Prepare for your outdoor party
The right preparation is crucial for not blowing your budget. Buying the necessary items in advance rather than leaving them until the last minute will give you more options to choose from, prices included.
To save money on food, consider making your dinner party a potluck. If you choose to go this route, make sure you give your guests plenty of time to prepare a dish.
Repurpose an old table & chairs
Instead of spending a fortune on new outdoor furniture, consider repurposing indoor items. An old table and some mismatched chairs add charm to your backyard dinner party while also keeping you within your budget.
Do you have an old dresser or vanity gathering dust? With a quick sanding and a fresh coat of paint, either piece could make a perfect miniature buffet table or drink station for outdoor dining.
Use string lights for illumination
The best outdoor parties have excellent lighting and ambiance. The simplest and most affordable way to create beautiful outdoor lighting is with basic string lights. Install a few hooks in the wall, or hang them from a pergola for a twinkling sky effect.
Even if you don’t have structures to hang lights, you can use them for beautiful ambiance and illumination. Create firefly lanterns with mason jars or larger glass containers and arrange them throughout the outdoor space to add some magic.
Outdoor events can be fun and affordable with the right planning. Consider your menu ideas, table setting and decor carefully to save money while throwing the best backyard dinner party possible.
About the Author
Bob Hummer
Bob Hummer brings a wealth of experience with him; a practitioner in real estate in Northern Virginia since 1978, a Life Member of both the Million Dollar Sales Club and the Top Producers Club with over 2,500 Satisfied Families and President, Prince William Association of REALTORS in 1991. His experiences range from helping buyers and sellers attain their goals; to renovating historic homes on Capitol Hill; to counseling and assisting homeowners facing the loss of their home due to foreclosure. Since 1996, he has presented his free monthly Home Buyer and Home Seller seminars at the Woodbridge campus of Strayer University. In June 2023 he completed the Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist course and was awarded the designation CPRES. His goal is to assist individuals who inherited real estate and wish to sell. A former "Military Brat" and a retired Air Force Hospital Administrator, Bob has made more than 26 moves during his life and is extremely familiar with all aspects of a family relocating - whether it is across the street or across the nation.