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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.

table for two on the pier for a cozy evening dinner party.

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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.

Peach Mojito on vintage dinner plats for early cocktail hour.

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.

How to set outdoor dinner table for a dinner party for two on the pier.

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.

Vintage tablecloth and rustic DIY plate chargers create an elegant but rustic table setting.

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.

DIY Twig plate Chargers with ironstone dish.

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.

Cozy milk glass cake plate serves as condiment tray on cozy outdoor dinner table setting.

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.

Rose bud salad plates add a touch of whimsey to the supper club table setting.

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.

Vintage dishes and rustic DIY plate chargers add a interesting vibe to the outdoor dinner table setting.


How do you like the thrifted summer dinner table setting so far?

Vintage dishes and rustic DIY plate chargers add a interesting vibe to the outdoor dinner table setting.

I hope you like the combination of rustic and elegant!

table for two with vintage dishes and DIY charger plates made with twigs for a rustic but elegant outdoor dinner table.


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.

Rustic tobacco stick lantern holds a vintage blue mason jar filled with rosemary and lavender flowers.

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.

Thifted candlestick and milk glass add more rustic charm to the outdoor table setting.


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.

A hanging lantern provide subtle lighting over the table with battery operated candle.

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.

Candlelight adds a warm glow to the thrifted table setting.

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

Easy St. Patrick’s Day Table

Spring Dinner Party Table Setting

7 Best Cinco de Mayo Table Setting Ideas


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.

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How To set an outdoor table
Dinner Party table setting
Vintage tableware adds rustic charm to dinner party for two.

Eva

Sunday 26th of May 2024

Happy Late Anniversary 🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈🎈 Your table looks like you had a wonderful Dinner/Lunch for two....

Rachel

Monday 27th of May 2024

Eva, Thank you! I really appreciate you for following along.

Cindi

Monday 20th of May 2024

Happy Anniversary! Eating overlooking water is a real treat! Your table setting is beautiful!

Rachel

Monday 20th of May 2024

Cindi, Thank you for stopping by.

Ellen

Monday 20th of May 2024

Rachel, Happy 45th Anniversary. Hope it's FABULOUS!!!!

Rachel

Monday 20th of May 2024

Ellen, I appreciate this. Have the best day.

Ellen

Monday 20th of May 2024

Hi Rachel, your table is Beautiful. Very Romantic!!

Rachel

Monday 20th of May 2024

Ellen, Thank you so much.

Frances Brown

Monday 20th of May 2024

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?

Rachel

Monday 20th of May 2024

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.