spring dinner party ideas
Depending on where you live, you might be thinking this is a little late, but it’s currently snowing here so I could argue that I’m early, either way I think April is a widely accepted spring month. Therefore, let’s dive into some spring dinner party ideas.
farm to table
A classic.
photos from Pinterest
Spring marks the reopening of farmer’s markets and fresh food on the table once again. The idea with this theme is to only serve things that you picked up at the local farmer’s market (or from a local farm)! Bonus points if you’re the farmer (or gardener) and you host AT YOUR FARM (house).
the menu
The menu for this is going to vary depending on where you live and what’s available. I like to start with a protein (chicken usually feels appropriate in the springtime) and build off of that. I imagine you could probably find some fresh broccoli, cauliflower, or peas to serve with it. Talk to the farmers at your local market and see what they suggest you make with what’s available!
As far as drinks, I like to coordinate with my meal but a classic, crisp chardonnay is great especially if the weather is finally starting to warm up where you are. Anything that has a little hint of citrus is also a great idea. For one of my spring dinner parties last year I made a drink that was 2 shots of rum, fresh squeezed juice from 2 medium sized lemons, half a grapefruit, and half an orange, shook it up in a shaker, and poured it over ice into a sugar rimmed glass. It was delicious and a hit with my guests!
You could also swap out the rum for tequila and rim the glass with salt. For non-alcoholic options, just add a little simple syrup to the juice mixture! I premade the juice mixture and put it in a pitcher before the party so I wasn’t wasting time constantly squeezing the fruits.
the dress code
photos from Pinterest
Overalls obviously feels like a good fit for this but really anything casual. Worn blue jeans, fisherman sweaters, gingham, barn jackets, oversized denim shirts, hats, spring layers, bandana accessories, anything that would look appropriate for that Sunday morning farmers market trip.
the playlist
I’m a firm believer that music always sets the vibe. I would curate a laid-back playlist that feels like spring. For me, that consists of artists like The Lumineers, Iron & Wine, Of Monsters and Men, The Goo Goo Dolls, and some late 90s early 2000s country music but I know that’s not necessarily everyone’s vibe. This is the playlist I would use.
garden party
The original outdoor dinner party.
photos from Pinterest
Garden parties originate in 17th century France and later gained popularity in England during Queen Victoria’s reign giving you plenty of inspiration to plan your very own! Lean more French or English or combine your favorite parts of each to throw an unforgettable party! There are truly a lot of different directions you could take this theme but I’ll take you through what I would do.
the menu
photos from Pinterest
Cooking optional! I’m serious when I say you could serve charcuterie (lots of meats, cheeses, nuts, bread, and crackers), fruit, crudités, and desserts at this party and it’s going to work. Drink options are also endless. A classic chardonnay, maybe some champagne, a French 75, tea(!), play to a more tea party aesthetic and serve Long Island Iced Tea as your alcoholic option — see what I mean when I say the options are endless!! This is actually a pretty simple/easy menu and allows you to focus on the overall vibe/aesthetic of the party and enjoy hosting (sometimes being bogged down by a complicated menu can feel like a lot).
the dress code
photos from Pinterest
Tea. Length. DRESSES (or really any midi/tea/maxi dress/skirt)! This is the party to truly embody and embrace your femininity. Accessorize with hats, umbrellas, bows, fans, gloves, go all out! This party is for the girls that are gonna participate. If you have friends who never follow a dress code, this isn’t for them (respectfully). If you’re inviting the guys, linen suites are the way to go.
the playlist
Classical or classical-inspired music. Fancy restaurant music is always a good search on Spotify. Think the Bridgerton playlist.
the activity
optional
photos from Pinterest
Some sort of outdoor activity is another fun addition to your garden party! The classic being croquet but you could opt for bean bags too! Something to keep you occupied, encourage a little competition, and that won’t get your clothes dirty (also something for the guys to do if they’re attending).
besties in bloom
Bring the bouquets.
photos from Pinterest
This is such a fun theme that feels so springy! I mean fresh flowers?? Yes. Have each guest bring their own bouquet and vase/bouquet paper (or you could provide the materials) and, using the flowers everyone brought, each guest can create a bouquet combination of their very own to bring home.
the menu
starter
charcuterie board
salad
spring pea salad with lemon mint vinaigrette, to stay on a floral theme, take out the mint completely and add a very small amount of orange blossom water to the dressing.
main course
lemon rosemary roasted chicken (no need to make the sides it mentions in the recipe, just the chicken) served with a spring risotto and roasted carrots (try adding a little honey and a tiny amount of lavender).
dessert
drink
Elderflower French 75, make it a mocktail by swapping the elderflower liqueur for elderflower cordial, take out the gin and swap the champagne for tonic water (bubbles to sub champagne and a little bitterness/dryness for the gin). If you prefer it sweeter, add a little simple syrup and if it’s the mocktail version, swap the tonic water for sparkling water.
the dress code
photos from Pinterest
This totally depends on your guest list. You could something a little elevated and have everyone where dresses and skirts or you could go casual with some jeans and t-shirts. Totally up to you! I think it would be cute to have everyone incorporate florals into their outfits. A floral dress, a floral top, a floral bandana, floral skirt, floral printed shoes, a floral crown, to name a few ideas.
the playlist
For this theme, I think you could do any kind of music as long as it’s fun and upbeat to bop along to while you’re hanging out and making your bouquets. Maybe something a little girly? This is the playlist I would use.
the activity
Bouquet making!! Disassemble all of the bouquets your guests brought and lay the flowers out for everyone to see/pick from.
literary lovers
For the book girlies.
photos from Pinterest
The changing of a season always inspires what I want to consume, from tv to movies, music, and books! I love reading something seasonally appropriate, it just feels right. Invite your well-read friends to this dinner party and engage in conversation about their latest reads, what they’re reading next, and you could even do a book exchange! This is a great theme for a rainy (or cold and snowy) spring day.
the menu
photos from Pinterest
Hear me out… comfort food. I know we don’t typically think of spring as a comfort food season (we’ve been eating comfort food for about 6 months and we’re ready for something new) but I think it’s perfect for this theme, especially if it does happen to land on a cold, rainy/snowy spring day. I’m thinking some sort of pasta, maybe even some soup, or a hotdish would be perfect (and easy to prepare and serve to a group). You could also just make it even easier and do some charcuterie or even pizza!
As far as drinks go, it would obviously depend on what exactly you make but this definitely feels like a red wine situation to me. Something about sipping on wine while discussing what I’ve been reading lately feels right (there are some great non-alcoholic wine options out there too).
For dessert, espresso (or coffee) and a little sweet treat (I love some dark chocolate, a wafer, a cookie, something along those lines). Make some lattes, sip on straight espresso, or have a nice cup of coffee with cream to round out the evening.
the dress code
photos from Pinterest
I’m not usually a comfy dress code kinda gal (I love to dress up) but this definitely calls for all the comfy clothes (in a sophisticated way of course). I’m envisioning elevated pajama and lounge sets.
the playlist
Soft, slow, nice background music that just feels cozy. Something that’s easy to talk over and not distracting from conversation. This is the playlist I would use.
the activity
optional
I actually have a couple of activities in mind for this theme. The first one being a book swap. Have every guest bring a favorite book of theirs (new or used) and come up with some sort of way to swap them! This can be as simple as drawing out of a hat for your book or some sort of white elephant-like game, whatever you’d like!
Please forgive the nerd in me for the next idea but I kind of love the idea of a literary report/presentation. Everyone comes ready to share something they’ve consumed lately (a book, poetry, a play, etc.) and shares their thoughts on it, why you should or shouldn’t consume it, myths, their personal review, etc. I don’t know why but I think that would be kind of fun.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this was helpful and at the very least inspires you to throw a dinner party for your friends this season.
