
Text by Hannah Jones
There’s no better time of year to enjoy nature’s renewed beauty than spring. With vibrant greens and flowers in bloom, even simple backyards can easily be transformed into the most charming scene for an afternoon picnic or alfresco dinner party. No need to get too fancy—just grab your clippers and a few vases and let nature steal the show.

Don’t overthink furniture arrangements for your gathering. String a few
outdoor lights and pull together chairs from around your cottage garden—no need to match.

Keep the décor simple. Use dishes in a similar color scheme for cohesion without making too bold of a statement so the flowers continue to shine. Drinks don’t have to be in nice glasses or poured ahead of time; simply leave them in the bottles on ice and your guests will be happy.

When it comes to an al fresco dinner party this spring, casual is key. Keep dinnerware and vases neutral, or apply similar color schemes and then mix and match to your heart’s desire. This minimalistic approach allows the focus to fall on the gorgeous botanicals and sets the scene for an intimate gathering.

Vases don’t have to be confined to the table. Extend the visual interest to the fence by suspending dainty flowers from the boards in lightweight vases.