After long cold months of grey skies and bleak brown landscapes, Spring creates the perfect opportunity to move outdoors to gather loved ones for a memorable garden party.
For me, it all started with a vision of hosting an intimate event for close friends in my backyard. The space, lovingly tended by the previous owners, held a charm that only needed a little polish to shine. Towering oaks, hot pink azaleas, and the tranquil sound of a nearby pond inspired me to create a setting that felt as special as the occasion.
At Dogwood Proper, our work is about more than creating beautiful spaces. It’s about designing a life well-lived. Whether indoors or out, every space should reflect the people who live there and the life lived within its spaces. We understand the joy of bringing people together in spaces that feel meaningful and personal.
Our goal is to create spaces that inspire connection, celebration, and memories—whether you're living regular, day-to-day life in them or entertaining guests. This blog will cover entertaining in one of your home's often under-utilized spaces, your outdoor space.
Step 1: Curate Your Guest List
The guest list is the foundation of any successful gathering. Whether it’s an intimate dinner in your dining room or a lively celebration for a few dozen people sprawling your whole home, understanding the size and dynamics of your group is key.
With an outdoor space, it's easy to assume the guest list can be much larger—but that's not always true! Things like enough level ground, seating, shelter from the elements, and more can all be factors that lead you to host a smaller gathering.
For my garden party, I kept it small and intentional, inviting a few women whose company I cherish—plus, the size allowed for meaningful conversations and a relaxed atmosphere.
Pro Tip: Tailor your space to suit your guest list.
For smaller gatherings, create cozy seating arrangements to foster connection. For larger events, think about distinct zones for dining, lounging, and mingling to ensure everyone feels comfortable.
Step 2: Set the Stage with a Thoughtful Tablescape
Choose something to inspire the direction of your tablescape —whether that’s a beloved family heirloom, a favorite season, or the natural beauty of your outdoor space. Think about what feels meaningful to you and how you want your guests to feel. Ideally, your choice should connect naturally to the occasion, setting, or season, but it doesn’t have to be overly obvious or theme-driven.
The right inspiration can guide everything from your color palette to your decor choices, ensuring the event feels cohesive and personal. For my party, inspiration came from my great-grandmother’s china. Admittedly, an unexpected choice for an outdoor party, but its timeless elegance inspired the color palette and table setting, blending history with fresh, modern touches.
I paired the china with Serena & Lily’s Riviera dining chairs and a simple 60" foldable round table from Amazon dressed with an Amanda Lindroth tablecloth ... and voila! The result was a table that felt both luxurious and personal.
Pro Tip: Choose functional, yet stylish elements that bring your vision to life.
Remember, not every outdoor party has to function like a backyard barbecue. You can elevate the experience by incorporating fine china, elegant linens, and even statement glassware, seamlessly blending them with outdoor-friendly pieces.
Mixing textures like rattan, linen, and ceramics adds depth while keeping the look cohesive. This approach ensures the setting feels polished and unexpected, striking the perfect balance between casual and refined.
Step 3: Plan a Seasonal Menu (and Hire Help if You Need It)
The menu should reflect the season and the overall feel of your gathering. Start by thinking about what’s in season—fresh, local ingredients will not only taste better but also tie your menu to the natural rhythms of the time of year. A spring menu might feature light, refreshing dishes like garden salads, seasonal vegetables, or fruit-forward desserts, paired with crisp wines or cocktails infused with herbs.
Setting your menu can also help determine whether you’ll need assistance hosting. For example, if you’re planning a multi-course meal, it may be worth hiring a chef or catering team to handle the logistics, allowing you to be fully present with your guests. On the other hand, a simpler menu of small bites and drinks might be perfect for a more casual gathering you can manage yourself.
For my spring garden party, I turned to a local chef and sommelier to create feminine, springtime dishes paired with refreshing cocktails. This allowed me to focus on my guests rather than the kitchen.
Pro Tip: Consider hiring professional help for an elevated experience.
Whether it’s a chef, sommelier, or bartender, outsourcing key tasks ensures you can enjoy the event alongside your guests.
Step 4: Add Floral and Decorative Touches
Flowers, especially in Spring, have the power to transform any space. But, beyond floral arrangements, consider how landscaping can create the perfect backdrop for your gathering. Strategically placed shrubs, flowering trees like dogwoods, or evergreen plants can frame your outdoor setting beautifully and enhance the atmosphere.
Even small details like potted plants or trailing vines can elevate the look of your space. Thoughtful landscaping not only adds visual interest but can also create natural partitions for different zones, such as dining and lounging areas.
As my yard came back to life for Springtime, I wanted the florals to be inspired by the space we were actually in. So, I gathered blooms from my garden and enlisted the help of my talented friend Meredith from Bloom & Bounty to create a stunning centerpiece. The arrangement echoed the colors of the china, tying the entire table together. Additionally, I chose a rattan bar for appetizers and cocktails because the material blended seamlessly with the outdoor setting and the woven Serena & Lily chairs at the table.
Pro Tip: Let the outdoor setting inspire your design elements.
Use a mix of garden blooms and professional arrangements to strike the perfect balance of personal and polished. Layer linens, china, glassware, and various furniture to add texture and interest to your event space while ensuring it's functional and comfortable, too.
Step 5: Focus on Connection
At the heart of any gathering is connection. It’s easy to get caught up in the details, but the most important element is how your guests feel. By creating a relaxed, welcoming environment, you’ll ensure the memories you make are as meaningful as the setting. Transitioning your outdoor space from day-to-day use to hosting an event doesn’t have to be complicated. Think about how your layout creates opportunities for natural connections.
Everyday essentials like a comfortable seating arrangement or a fire pit can double as natural conversation spots during a gathering. Portable elements like lightweight furniture or modular seating can make it easy to adapt the space for entertaining and return it to normal use the next day. Planning ahead ensures a seamless shift between functionality and festivity.
Pro Tip: Don’t overthink it.
A present and engaged host sets the tone for a joyful event. Let go of perfection and focus on experiencing the moments that matter.
The Bottom Line
Spring is a time to embrace the beauty of nature and the joy of gathering with loved ones. Entertaining in your home (or yard!) is a central piece of truly living in your space. It’s where the design and function of your home come alive, creating the backdrop for cherished memories.
At Dogwood Proper, we specialize in designing homes that enhance the way you live, both indoors and out. From creating seamless room-to-room (and interior-to-exterior) transitions to curating spaces that inspire connection, we’re here to bring your vision to life.
If outdoor entertaining is central to your lifestyle, let us help you create a home that’s as thoughtful and inviting as your gatherings. Contact Dogwood Proper to start designing a space that reflects your style and enhances your lifestyle.
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