Spring Outdoor Entertaining Ideas You Should Try This Season

Spring is in the air! That means weeks longer evenings, bright blue skies, and BBQs or dinner parties with friends and family. But with more outdoor entertaining comes the added pressure to make your gathering “insta-worthy.” We get it.

Before you dust off those BBQ’s, here are several spring outdoor entertaining ideas to help you curate something memorable.

1. Outside is the new Inside

Anthropologie hits the nail on the head. Their article: Outdoor Entertaining: An Effortlessly Elegant Picnic sums up how you can create a minimalist yet whimsical vibe at your next gathering.

We love their suggestion to create a low table on the grass or patio with plenty of comfortable pillows, shams, and blankets for guests. For evening picnics, you can line the tables with plenty of candles to give the space that magical glow.

In the spirit of staying minimal and stress-free, serving light bites can be a fun way to keep your guests satisfied. Tapas style appetizers and small snacks never disappoint! Anthro suggests serving with sangria, and we think that sounds delicious!

2. Outdoor Lighting is a Must

Investing in your outdoor lighting is a guaranteed way to improve the vibe of your front or backyard in San Diego. Market lights have really made a comeback in recent years, but there are lots of other options when it comes to outdoor lighting. Here are a few options that we love from Pinterest!

Illuminated Minimal Walkway

Lights Under Benches

Wooden Logs and String Lights

3. Set Up Stations

If you’re hosting a dinner party or BBQ, set up stations in your backyard to naturally allow your guests to spread out. Have a drink station in one corner and a table with appetizers or dessert on another. We love the idea of bringing the bar cart outside!

In this rendition from Brooklyn Limestone, they made a sweet smores station using a rolling bar cart.

4. Keep it Simple

The food, that is. There is no need to overdo it with the food. No one has time to prepare a heavy or time consuming meal, and your guests will appreciate quality and simplicity. Minimalism is a huge trend, and it’s no exception when it comes to dining. Chefs are jumping on the simple ingredient bandwagon and focusing on natural foods that pack serious punch.

Here is a collection of simple recipes using minimal ingredients to keep your guests satisfied at your next outdoor gathering.

Fajita Chicken Skewers by Well Plated

Mouthwatering Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli by Minimalist Baker

Super Simple Arugula Salad with Parm, Lemon, and Olive Oil by Gimme Some Oven

5. Mix & Match Dinnerware

When it comes to your outdoor plates, cups and utensils, feel free to mix and match. Go with a vintage garden theme and scout out teacups and small vintage plates. Mix and match silver, gold or copper cutlery. Perhaps opt for splashes of color with Talavera or melamine style plates for a fun and festive vibe. We’re also loving muted palettes and geometric shapes, so the Ontario set from Anthropologie is a perfect option for those of you who love natural palettes.

6. Portable Speaker for the Win

Portable speakers come in handy when you live in sunny in San Diego. Easily stream music from your favorite Pandora stations or Spotify playlists. We love waterproof portable speakers by JBL. It has great range and can withstand water, making it perfect for weekend beach days!