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How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two

Celebrations & Occasions, Outdoor Dinner Parties, Seasonal, Summer

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Make a date night at home fun with my tips for how to style a romantic outdoor table for two.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

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Summer is slowly winding down, and we’re trying to savor every minute before the busy school year starts in just a few weeks.

At this point in our lives, I’m pretty sure Kirk and I could confidently add professional chauffer to each of our resumes. Especially during the months of August through May.

I know that so many of you can relate!

Free time is a thing of the past. Which makes finding time to go out on a date challenging to say the least. So today, I’m sharing a way to create a fun date night at home with tips for how to style a romantic outdoor table for two.

Summer Picnic Dinner Party

I’m excited to join my blogging friends this month to bring you some ideas for how to style a summer picnic.

We have so much fun hosting these supper club parties each month. I hope you enjoy them too!

Are you new to our dinner parties? You can see last month’s tablescape here. And if you love casual outdoor dining, you might also like my tips for styling a boho summer picnic.

If you’re visiting from my friend Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse, I am glad you are here!

For those who may be new, thank you for stopping by, and welcome to Midwest Life and Style! My name is Jen. I’m a wife, mom of two, and lifelong Nebraskan.

Here, at MWLS, you’ll find posts filled with delicious made-from-scratch recipes, tips for how to decorate for the seasons, and simple do-it-yourself projects. My main goal is to inspire you by showing you that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a beautiful and inviting home.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table For Two

Last month, my husband Kirk and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary. We enjoy getting dressed up and going out once in a while. But honestly, staying at home is more our speed.

So I set out to style a romantic outdoor table for just the two of us in our backyard. No expensive menu. And no babysitter needed.

Here are a few simple tips for planning a date night in and setting a romantic outdoor picnic.

Keep It Casual

Styling a romantic table doesn’t mean that it has to be fancy, or expensive!

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

Summertime here in the Midwest can get a bit steamy. And since we’re dining al fresco, I kept the table setting casual using mostly items that I found around the house.

Bistro table, under a tree set up for a picnic date night and al fresco dining.

We purchased this bistro set soon after we got married in 2006. Quite honestly, it has seen better days. But I can’t justify buying a new set right now. So instead I freshened it up with some matte black spray paint and added some new striped patio cushions.

And it looks brand new!

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

For the place setting, I used some rattan plate chargers topped with striped cotton napkins and my everyday cream stoneware dishes.

Then I finished with some simple champagne flutes and old vintage silverware.

Create A Focal Point

Add interest and charm to your romantic outdoor table with a simple centerpiece.

Simple Charcuterie board and picnic tablescape for date night in - Midwest Life and  Style Blog

I picked up some fresh seasonal flowers from the grocery store and arranged them in a glass vase. Mixed with a few stems of hydrangeas from our yard, I created an inexpensive bouquet for less than $15.

The flowers are the perfect focal point for an al fresco table set near the garden.

Summer floral centerpiece with hydrangeas for an outdoor picnic - Midwest Life and Style Blog

And the pretty shades of pink and purple from the bouquet add to the light and summery feeling of the romantic picnic tablescape.

Set The Mood

Part of the magic of dining out is the ambiance. Set the table and the mood for date night with candles and lighting.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

To recreate some of this magic in our backyard, I mixed in some galvanized candle holders as part of the tablescape. I’ve had them for several years, and I like the rustic, yet romantic feel they add to our outdoor date night setting.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

Don’t you love the dramatic look of the drippy wax? Usually, I would be cursing our non-stop wind but not this time.

And the light breeze helps to make the summer heat a bit more bearable when dining outdoors.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

To add to the dreamy outdoor setting, I strung some new solar string lights in our tree from AQ lighting.

The LED Edison-style filament bulb creates a classic vintage look that I love and the warm glow of the lights adds to the inviting atmosphere.

Choose The Perfect Outdoor Menu

Add the finishing touch to your romantic outdoor table for two by choosing the perfect menu.

Date night in outdoor picnic charcuterie board with wine, grapes, cheese, and bread - Midwest Life and Style Blog

For our date night in I created a simple and light charcuterie board. To start, I filled a round board with Foccacia bread and soft herbed cheese. Then I added a bunch of sweet red grapes and some cured meat.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

Charcuterie boards are easy to make and can also be filled with some of your other favorites like olives, nuts, dried fruits, and jams or honey.

They make a great appetizer and can be easily packed and taken to any location for the perfect picnic snack.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a romantic date night without some cocktails! Peach Moscato is the ideal sweet and refreshing wine for the summertime.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table For Two

Who’s ready for a date night in?

How To Style A Romantic Table For Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

Kirk and I love the bistro table’s new home under the tree, and the glow from the solar string lights adds the perfect ambiance.

They help make this cozy backyard space the ideal spot for dinner and drinks, or when we need to sneak away for some quiet time to reconnect.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

This picnic was so much fun to set up and style. I think I see more backyard date nights at home in the near future!

I hope you enjoyed my simple date night tips and ideas for how to style a romantic outdoor table for two.

How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

Be sure to see how all of my friends styled their summer picnics (linked at the bottom of this post).

Don’t forget to see our dinner party menu with five brand-new summer dishes to add to your recipe collection, including the recipe for my creamy broccoli salad. It’s sure to become one of your new favorite side dishes!

More Summer Picnic Inspiration

Looking for more summer tablescape ideas? Nex, visit Anne and AnnMarie at Simply2Moms to see how they set their table and check out all the picnic tablescapes linked below.

XO,

Tablecape Group Photos and Summer Picnic Idea

Michele at Vintage Home Design / Stacy at Bricks n’ Blooms / Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse

Tablecape Group Photos and Summer Picnic Idea

Jen at Midwest Life and Style / Anne and AnnMarie at Simply2Moms

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How To Style A Romantic Outdoor Table for Two - Midwest Life and Style Blog

July 29, 2021 · 20 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kim | Shiplap and Shells says

    August 8, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    This is just so stunning Jen! I love every last detail. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      August 8, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      That is so kind of you Kim. I appreciate it. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Kelly says

    July 30, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    OhbJen this is just stunning!!! The whole setting is so romantic and those candles and lights….love! Pinning!

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 31, 2021 at 8:27 am

      Thanks so much, Kelly. I appreciate your kindness and friendship! Happy weekend!

      Reply
  3. michele/vintage home designs says

    July 29, 2021 at 10:19 am

    It’s so beautiful and romantic Jen! The candles and string lights added such a nice touch!

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you, Michele. I think so too. They add the perfect ambiance.💖

      Reply
  4. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says

    July 29, 2021 at 9:20 am

    What a beautifully cozy and romantic place to have a picnic. I need to do some work on our backyard. It’s completely empty other than a couple of overgrown trees in the corner. You’ve inspired me to add a bed of plants and flowers. And hooray for saving the bistro set. I’d try and keep that for years and years. One day you’ll look back and love all the memories created around it.

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:36 pm

      Thank you, Cindy. I’m so glad you enjoy it. There are still some things we want to fix up, but overall, we were blessed that the previous homeowners did most of the planting and hard work.😉 And I think you are right about the bistro set. Newer isn’t always better. Sometimes it is the special memories that you have with items that mean the most.

      Reply
  5. AnnMarie - Simply2Moms says

    July 29, 2021 at 8:01 am

    What a great idea for date night! I may be stealing a few ideas. Such a pretty setting with the candles and string lights.

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:20 pm

      Thank you, AnnMarie. I love the glow of the lights when it gets dark. It’s so pretty and is a great space to relax and unwind.

      Reply
  6. Rachel Harper says

    July 29, 2021 at 7:40 am

    Jen,
    Your post is just perfect. I love that you planned a romantic table for two.

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you, Rachel! It’s such a great spot for my husband and to sneak away from some quiet time!

      Reply
  7. Shelley Humpal says

    July 29, 2021 at 7:15 am

    Jen I loved your moody table for two under the tree. I just recently found you and I’m so glad I did. I too am a blogger and live in Omaha. Stop over and take a look.

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Thank you, Shelley! I love connecting with other Midwest bloggers. Especially those in my own backyard. So happy to have you following along!

      Reply
  8. stacy says

    July 29, 2021 at 6:34 am

    Jen I love this one! The moody vibe is just gorgeous and I love all of your ideas! xoxo

    Reply
    • midwestlifeandstyle says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks so much, Stacy. The moody lighting was a department from my typical light, bright photos, but fitting given the romantic date night setting.😉

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Transform Your Picnic Table: 5 Inspiring Setting Ideas says:
    July 19, 2024 at 4:14 pm

    […] up is Jen from Midwest Life & Style. She has created a romantic outdoor table for […]

    Reply
  2. The Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Chic Picnic Party - Stacy Ling says:
    May 14, 2024 at 5:59 am

    […] Simply 2 Moms Vintage Home Designs The Ponds Farmhouse Midwest Life and Style […]

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  3. 5 Simple Steps to Host a Small Backyard Picnic – Simply2moms says:
    June 4, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    […] you’re visiting us from our friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style or if you’re new to our blog, Hey there and […]

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  4. Mitten Moments - cottage in the mitten says:
    January 5, 2023 at 2:04 pm

    […] This romantic table for two. […]

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I'm Jen, a past event planner turned blogger sharing all my best tips and tricks for easy entertaining at home. From seasonal decor, to party crafts, free printables, stunning tablescapes, simple recipes, and curated menus for any occasion. You'll find it all here.

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