How to Host the Perfect Summer Dinner Party

Longer evenings and warmer weather create the perfect setting for summer entertaining. Whether you're hosting an intimate gathering or a lively dinner party, this guide shares our top tips for creating a relaxed and memorable celebration.

How To Pick Your Party Theme

A little planning goes a long way when setting the table. The needs of a casual drinks gathering will differ from those of a formal dinner party, and your chosen theme can help guide everything from the guest list and menu to the tableware and decor. For inspiration, explore the themes below.

Go With The Bow

This bow-inspired theme features pink bows and pastel table candles, alongside bow place cards for smart summer look. Pair with our Ladurée Paris Garland and Ladurée Marie-Antoinette Napkins to create an elegant, picture-perfect celebration.

SHOP BOW COLLECTION

Al Fresco Dining

This theme features fruit-themed tableware and fresh seasonal fruits. Use our Citrus Fruit Garland and Lemon Sherbet Napkins to create the perfect Italian-inspired summer celebration. Add bowls of lemons and limes for a fresh citrusy feel.

SHOP FRUIT COLLECTION

Rainbow Extravaganza

A bright, colorful table is instantly inviting. Perfect for a summer dinner party with younger guests, this tablescape can be created using Rainbow Honeycomb Decorations, rainbow table candles, and a mix of colorful tableware.

SHOP RAINBOW COLLECTION

1. The Fine Print

It’s all about the details when it comes to creating the perfect dinner party. To make your celebrations memorable from the start, send a dinner party invitation that incorporates your chosen theme. At Meri Meri, we love Paperless Post and their customizable invites that suit every occasion, such as this bow-inspired design.

Curating custom menus, with either an intricate or simple design, are the next step to impressing your guests. Once your menu is decided upon, choose a sumptuous design, and print them out to put alongside place cards and create the finishing touch to your tablescape.

2. Set The Table

The table is the focal point of your dinner party or cocktail hour, so setting it up in the right way is crucial. There are many ways to host your party, but there are a few essentials that every dinner must have: cloth napkins (preferably with a fun scallop edge), candles and fresh seasonal flowers in assorted vases. Here are a few tips and tricks to make planning your tablescape easier to manage:

• Lay the table ahead of time. When you only have a few spare moments before your guests arrive, having the table already set and perfected will make your dinner party much less stressful.
• Create a playlist specifically for your party. Background music is great for ambience – whether it’s Abba, R&B, or Taylor Swift, the music will set the tone for your party.
• Don’t forget the kids: set up their table or place setting with fun activities and stylish décor in line with your theme. Get them coloring in with our Coloring Placemats, available in a multitude of designs for every interest.
• Etiquette, etiquette, etiquette! Not every occasion will require a salad fork, but make sure that you set your table with the right glasses, whether that be for wine or water, and the necessary cutlery.
• Make some delicious appetizers that complement your main course – for example, a cheese board is great for an Italian menu, or flatbread and houmous for a Mediterranean meal.
• Alternatively, if you and your guests have more of a sweet-tooth, a show-stopping dessert will ensure that your party is talked about for weeks afterward.

SHOP LINEN NAPKINS

SHOP TABLE CANDLES

3. Party Activities

A little entertainment before or after dinner can help break the ice and keep the energy flowing. Sip-and-paint parties paired with cocktails or mocktails are always a crowd-pleaser, as are classic card games, board games, or a lively round of trivia. To end the evening on a high note, turn up the music and start a dance party.

SHOP COLORING POSTERS

4. Thoughtful Gifts

Whether you need a gift idea for the host or to create a grown-up goody bag, we have several ideas on how to find stylish gifts that your host or guests will love. Candles are always a great gift, and we love our Pastel Table Candles or Bow Taper Candles. Alternatively, choose from an elegant trinket tray, linen napkins and coasters.

SHOP HOST GIFTS

We would love to see how your dinner parties turn out! Send pictures of your event to @merimeriparty at Instagram.