As a self-proclaimed, hostess with the mostest, i live for a dinner party. There’s nothing better than a warm summer night filled with laughter, good food and even better company. From the menu to the decor, i want nothing short of perfection.

Below are the most important factors to consider when planning a dinner party, in no particular order. My biggest suggestion is: pick a theme. this will help to determine the menu, the decor and maybe the dress code depending on the theme. but more important is to have fun and enjoy the company that you’re in.

the atmosphere

in montreal, we cherish the summer days and nights because we know what comes next. as long as the weather is warm, you’ll want to take advantage of your outdoor dining set. create a tablescape with fresh flowers and a variety of candles for the perfect evening.

the food

the most important part of any dinner party is the food, of course. now, that is all entirely preference but themes are great for dinner parties. not only do they help decide the menu, it’ll also determine the atmosphere. here are some dinner theme ideas for you to use:

• summer bbq
• taco night
• wine and cheese
• heavy apps
• homemade pizza party
• tinis and bikinis

The drinks

no dinner party is complete without a cocktail. my drink of choice in the summer is an aperol spritz but just recently, since visiting portugal, i’m loving the mateus sparkling rosé. of course, you’ll want to serve cocktails and drinks that complement your theme and elevates your menu. fruity sangrias, mojitos or even a mocktail fruity iced tea are some ideas depending on what you’re serving.

the sweets

when it comes to wrapping up the night, there’s nothing better than a sweet treat. you can never go wrong with a fire pit and marshmallows to create the perfect s’mores. it is a whole dessert experience. and again, everything is best when matching your theme. if you’re hosting a pizza party, you might want to serve nutella pizza for dessert.

the extras

while some great company is often all you need for an unforgettable evening, i love to sometimes transform gatherings into an outdoor movie night. watch the latest movie on netflix or a classic while cuddled up under blankets with a bowl of popcorn.

summer nights are made for unforgettable memories and i love crafting a dinner party experience for my friends and family to enjoy. so find a theme and the rest will come.

what’s the theme of your next dinner party?

love, laura