How To Set An Outdoor Dinner Table: Dinner For Two
If you are looking for ideas to set up a romantic and cozy outdoor dinner table, wait until you see our fun pier table. I’m sharing How to Set an Outdoor Dinner Table using some of my latest thrifted and vintage finds, as well as a DIY project from last spring.
Y’all, I love being outdoors, and dining outside is my favorite. This month’s Virtual Supper Club is an Outdoor Summer Dinner Party. I decided to set an intimate table for two.
My favorite time on the pier is when the sun sinks behind the trees just before dark. So, welcome to my cozy evening dinner party.
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Table of contents
Today is our monthly Supper Club tablescape share, and my friends are all sharing summer dining tables. Next, on Saturday, we will share our menu and all of the recipes with you. If you are joining me from Jenn at Midwest Life & Style, I’m so happy you decided to hop over. Didn’t you love her Boho Summer Picnic? Be sure to check out all the other table inspirations at the end of this post.
The cocktail of choice for this dinner party is my yummy summer cocktail recipe – Frozen Peach Mojito’s
Outdoor Dinner Table
I decided to host my supper club outdoor dinner on the pier this month. To create a fun table, I’m mixing rustic and elegant elements. Since the outdoor table and the setting are both really rustic, I added a rug underneath the table and an elegant tablecloth on top.
The cotton tablecloth was one of this week’s thrift store finds, and I couldn’t wait to put it on a table. It’s perfect for the small pier table, and the price was great.
DIY Plate Chargers
Next, I added these DIY Twig Plate Chargers, which was a DIY project from last year. They are so fun and easy to make. Plus, they have held up great being stored from last year.
Vintage Outdoor Dinner Table Setting
Now it’s time to set the table, which is my favorite part. I began by layering a white ironstone dinner plate on top of the twig chargers. Then I added another recent Thrifting with the Gals find.
These cute turquoise, pink, and gold plates were impossible to resist for less than $1.00 each. Plus, I thought the cute rosebud pattern was perfect for a Summer outdoor dinner table.
To complete the table setting, I added the clear dessert plates because they allow the cute rose buds to still shine. In addition, the striped turquoise napkins with vintage cutlery are a perfect compliment to the turquoise on the vintage plates.
How do you like the thrifted summer dinner table setting so far?
I hope you like the combination of rustic and elegant!
Vintage Centerpiece
In addition to the vintage place settings, the centerpiece is a mix of several vintage and thrift store finds. I love the handmade tobacco stick lantern and decided it would be a great rustic addition to the table. It’s filled with a vintage blue mason jar, which holds a bouquet of rosemary and lollipop blooms gathered from our landscape.
To complete the centerpiece arrangement, a milk glass cake stand holds thrift store blue glass candlesticks, vintage salt and pepper shakers, cream and sugar, and delicate vintage rosebud butter pats.
Outdoor Dinner Table Lighting
Since the gazebo isn’t wired for electric lighting, the wagon wheel chandelier is wrapped in solar-powered twinkle lights, and the rustic iron lantern holds a battery-operated candle. Candles are also added to the table for more subdued lighting.
Battery Operated Solar Lights with a remote are great for subdued lighting on the pier, as well as being a safe choice.
The subtle lighting is perfect for watching the sunset. Although we don’t have dinner on the pier each evening, it’s our favorite spot to end the day.
Previous Supper Club Inspiration
If you’d like to see some of our previous themes and tables, click on the below links.
How to Set a Brunch Table for Galentines Brunch
Resources
The Table Inspiration Continues
Next up are my sweet friends, Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms sharing Simple Summer Party Ideas you will love. Check out all the tables by clicking on the highlighted names in the photos below.
Simply 2 Moms / / Vintage Home Designs.
Stacy Ling Bricks N Blooms / Mid West Life & Style
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? To save, hover over the images and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button in the upper left-hand corner.
I love all your vintage dishes! They look amazing with your summer tablescape! xo
Stacy,
Thanks so much. Love doing these together.
Rachel – So pretty and the transparent dessert plates add charm without taking away from the setting. Love all of it.
You’re the best.
Diana,
Thank you for always being so encouraging. I appreciate your kind words.
Such a beautiful table Rachel. I love those vintage plates with the rosebuds! And your pier was such an amazing setting!
Michele,
We love sitting here. and thanks for stopping by.
Your outdoor space is beautiful and welcoming.
Love your dishes and I remember the chargers from last summer
Cindy,
Thanks so much. I’m so glad they held up for another use.
How dreamy, Rachel! I love the pretty vintage plates you found and what a great spot to enjoy a causal summer meal. Pinned!
Jen,
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement.
Absolutely beautiful! I love plates, especially antique or vintage. Your vignette is elegant and romantic. Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne,
I really appreciate this. Thanks so much for stopping by.
A beautiful tablescape in a beautiful setting Rachel. Love everything about your pretty table for two.
Thanks so much for this.
Your hubs must feel special. I would if I got to sit out there. So pretty.
Cindy,
Thanks for your sweet comments. I’d love to have you here for dinner.
Dinner by the water…how lovely. The table is so pretty and romantic too.
Linda,
Thanks so much. I appreciate your comments.
What a gorgeous table Rachel. Love this so much.
Kim,
Thanks so much sweetie.
Where did you find the lovely tobacco stick lantern??
Ann,
I found it at an Antique Mall in Burlington NC. Granddaddy’s Antiques
Rachel, This is so lovely and such a perfect setting! I would love to share a link and photo over on Celebrate & Decorate if that is okay with you!
Chloe,
Absolutely, any time your are welcome to share and I really appreciate you for doing so.
I love this! It’s so pretty. I especially love the twig chargers. It’s always a pleasure to hop with you.
Thank you Renee, it’s alway a pleasure hopping with you also. Such fun!
Love this, Rachel! How romantic
And congrats on 45 years. We’ll be celebrating 46 come fall.
Question: your pier table looks amazing, but… what do you do about bugs? I would imagine the mosquitoes will be excited to see you.
I have a pergola set down in the woods where I am forever battling with the tiny insects with big fangs. I spray with Neem oil, but on the water like that, what do you do?
Frances,
It’s hard to believe but we don’t have a lot of mosquitoes on the water. We have so many frogs and the bats swoop in every afternoon. When we lived in town in a neighbor, we couldn’t sit outside for the bugs. However, here they are rarely a problem.
Hi Rachel, your table is Beautiful. Very Romantic!!
Ellen,
Thank you so much.
Rachel, Happy 45th Anniversary. Hope it’s FABULOUS!!!!
Ellen,
I appreciate this. Have the best day.
Happy Anniversary! Eating overlooking water is a real treat! Your table setting is beautiful!
Cindi,
Thank you for stopping by.
Happy Late Anniversary
Your table looks like you had a wonderful Dinner/Lunch for two….
Eva,
Thank you! I really appreciate you for following along.