How to create a romantic outdoor dinner date at home for two
Inspired by the new book French Country Cottage Inspired Gatherings by Courtney Allison. I decided to try and create a romantic outdoor dinner at home for my hubby and myself.
I am so excited to share the details with you today! It was very inexpensive to do this tablescape and I think you will be amazed with how it turned out
Create the Romantic outdoor setting
The first thing I did was to decide where to have this little romantic outdoor dinner. I found the perfect place in the corner of the backyard underneath a big tree.
I had my hubby grab the card table from the garage and set it up.
The yard slopes quite a bit back there so he placed some lumber under two legs to make the table level.
We have had these little wooden folding chairs for quite a few years and we were so lucky to find them at a garage sale for next to nothing! They just added that quaint feeling to my romantic outdoor dinner at home.
Setting the Romantic outdoor dinner table
Gathering up all the things I want to use to set the table is the most fun. Shop your house for things that you can use.
I love to use cloth napkins in my tablescapes. These beautiful striped linen napkins are from Crown Linen designs and I just love how they look!
My purple goblets that are perfect for Valentine’s Day. You can purchase them here.
For the tablecloth I used two throws from Ikea but they don’t make them any more. I will link to some similar below.
Gold chargers, Eiffel tower plates that I bought in a shop in Chicago years ago set the tone for a romantic evening to come.
Place settings
For each pacesetting I took a cue from French Country Cottages book where she showed flatware tied with velvet ribbon.
I didn’t have any velvet ribbon on hand but I did have some stretchy velvet fabric.
To make some of your own cut 1″ skinny pieces and pull on each piece to get it to wrap around itself to look like ribbon.
I think it did the trick!
I added in some blue salvia for a little extra little touch.
Floral Centerpiece
Don’t you love it when you can create a centerpiece basically for free! I used a tall mason type jar and filled it with flowers from around my yard.
Butterfly bush flowers (deep pink colored flowers), light pink holly hocks, mini yellow daisy’s and greens from a few different plants that I don’t know the name of made for a pretty bouquet.
To bring in more of the outdoors to the Romantic outdoor dinner at home,
I clipped a bunch of honey suckle vines and other greens and laid them down the center of the table.
Add in lots of votive candles. So simple and yet makes a huge impact. Don’t you think?
The glow of the little votives look so beautiful as the sun goes down.
Gold chargers for a romantic tablescape
The gold chargers set off the beautiful French Eiffel Tower plates that I bought years ago while traveling in Chicago.
They really made this romantic dinner feel like we were in Europe!
I have used these gold chargers in this Elegant rustic tablescape post you may have missed.
Purplish pink goblets
These purple cut glass goblets from Pioneer Woman are truly one of my staples as I am sure you might remember seeing them at Easter here and in a pretty fall Tablescape here.
They are very inexpensive but really look and feel expensive.
Easy way to create a romantic tablescape
This romantic outdoor dinner at home really turned out to be such a special night for us.
It is amazing when you start to think outside of the box of places to have dinner right in your own backyard.
These easy tips and tricks for setting a table for two could be perfect for an anniversary dinner or Valentine’s Day dinner.
More about our Romantic outdoor dinner at home and how pretty it looked when the sun went down and the votive candles started flickering. Plus recipes that I used to create the grilled dinner!
It was truly romantic and magical.
UPDATE- I am so excited to have been one of the top 10 in the cottages and bungalows tablescape contest that was held in June.
Save this video pin for later
Shop This Post
More tablescape Ideas
How to style a coastal grandmother tablescape
I love your romantic dinner table for two. It came out so pretty. The fresh flowers are beautiful. I can not wait till fall in SC, when it finally cools off a bit so we can eat outside again.
Sch a beautiful table, I love everything about this look 🙂
Sorry was (Such a beautiful table ) x
This table is a romantic one! I especially like the velvet ribbon tied silver.
Awww thank you Linda! It was really fun to put together. I too love using the velvet ribbon to tie the silveware. It just bring a nice touch.
Hugs,
Karin
Gorgeous outdoor dining ideas for a romantic dinner.
Hugs,
Kippi
Hey friend, I just love this romantic setting and am featuring it at the FWF link party!
Thanks for adding all your pretty posts to the party:)
hugs,
Rachelle
Thank you sooo much!! I so appreciate this!
Hugs,
Karin
Karin, what a romantic setting! I only wish we could dine outside but it is so insufferably hot here. Courtney does such an incredible job with all her photos. Did you notice that she went from light and airy to dark and moody in this new book? Such an interesting shift for her but it shows me that it is always important to change and adapt. Thanks for sharing. We are heading to cooler temps in the mountains and it’s about time I did a romantic table.
Hi Mary! Thank you so much for taking time to leave me a comment! I did notice that about Courtney’s book. It is dark and moody and sooo gorgeous! It has been really hot here too 🙁 Luckily we can sit under a tree and it is not too bad…especially in the evening. Enjoy the mountains and the cooler temps! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for a romantic table!
Hugs,
Karin
I am so in love with this, I am featuring your post at Charming Homes and Gardens Karin. I am so inspired!
This made my day! I am so excited! Thank you so much for the feature!
This is so beautiful! I love the centerpiece and the place settings! And those goblets are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing with Charming Homes & Gardens!
Hi Kristin,
Thank you so much! It really has turned out to be one of my favorite Tablescapes of all time! I love your blog and all that you post about! Makes me want to come out and visit Wisconsin soon!
Hugs,
Karin
I am in love with your romantic tablescape Karin, and am inspired to try something similar for a dinner with my husband! Pinned for sure! I hope you will share this post with Charming Homes and Gardens!
https://shiplapandshells.com/charming-homes-gardens-link-party-17/
Hi Karin, this is an absolutely gorgeous outdoor setting. I love the casual organic feel of the gathered flowers and greens. I’m featuring your post on All About Home this evening, thanks so much for coming by. I’m making a point to come join in on your Centerpiece Wednesday!
Hi Debra!
Thank you for your kind comments! I am so excited to be highlighted on your blog tonight! You made my day! I am so thrilled to have you join in on Centerpiece Wednesday as well!
Hugs,
Karin
Beautiful tablescape and photography. Pinning of course!
Thank you so much Michelle! It was really so much fun to put tougher and I loved that my hubby was surprised at how nice it turned out! 🙂
Hugs,
Karin
Everything looks so beautiful; it makes it even more special. Nothing beats a tête à tête, I am sure that your hubby and you had a very romantic soirée.
This looks so beautiful and romantic! It’s fun to make evenings at home a bit more special these days and you’ve certainly done just that! I like that your hubby helped ‘level’ the table too – good to have the men involved! ~ Lori