If you love to gather your friends and family for dinner parties, summer is the perfect time to host. The warm weather and sunshine bring out bright moods and familiar flavors. Here’s what you need to do to guarantee a memorable night for your next event.

How to Host a Successful Summer Dinner Party

1. Have a Seat for Everyone

While you can expect people to rotate between sitting and standing throughout the night, you’ll still need to have enough seating for dinner. Make sure everyone has access to chairs, so they can rest or relax. If you don’t currently have enough to match your guest list, you can purchase or rent fold-out chairs or ask your invitees to bring extras from home.

2. Deter Uninvited Pests

In the excitement of planning outdoor events, many hosts forget about the pests that tend to show up uninvited. Keep bugs out of your entertainment space as best you can to ensure everyone's comfort. For example, you could put out citronella candles and torches, build a bonfire, hang bug zappers, or provide guests with insect repellent.

3. Create Ambiance

Every dinner party benefits from music, decorations, and a cohesive theme. Pick a concept early on in the party planning process. Using that theme, you can make a playlist and decorate your entertainment space accordingly. Your guests should feel the energy as soon as they enter your yard.

4. Keep the Party Cool

Summer weather is beautiful, but it can sometimes get uncomfortably hot. Keep your guests cool with refreshing drinks and water. Buy plenty of ice—you’ll always need more than you think, and a lot of it is bound to melt. If you have a generator or outlets outside, consider putting out a few portable fans.

5. Work With a Catering Service

Party planning is time-consuming already, so the added task of cooking dinner for a dozen or so people can cause stress. Give yourself a break while guaranteeing your guests a fresh, delicious meal with catering services. Caterers are accustomed to accommodating large groups and can easily tailor a menu to your party’s unique needs. Light summer options like fruit platters, deli sandwiches, vegetable trays, and shrimp cocktails are sure to be crowd-pleasers.

For reliable catering services in the Monticello, MN, area, turn to Cornerstone Cafe & Catering. Since 2001, this family-friendly restaurant has built a reputation for delicious food, excellent service, and a comfortable and casual atmosphere. Take a look at their full catering menus online. To discuss your dinner party with a friendly team member, call (763) 295-3888.