Table Manners
After the invites are sent and the menu has been planned, in comes the concern of setting and styling the table centered between your shiny new grill and plush patio furnishings. With the expert advice of David Tutera, host of WE TV’s “My Fair Wedding,” and Robin Wilson, C.E.O. of New York City-based Robin Wilson Home, we can help get your patio party in motion.
Weather or not…
Despite endless preparations and weather forecasts, Mother Nature loves to keep us guessing. Be one step ahead: Shade the seating area from the sun and protect it from the rain.
Table Trail
“The table and the path leading to it should be on solid ground and in close proximity to the kitchen, grill and bathroom,” Tutera says.
The Underlying Solution
With the table in position, begin by lying down a lightweight tablecloth or runner. Tutera suggests using burlap, whereas Wilson prefers bamboo. This simple step adds a layer of eco-elegance.
Back to Basics
Recommended by Wilson, Viva Terra’s colorful Oceana Seaglass dinnerware collection ($119-$189 per set of four, www.vivaterra.com) can be mixed and matched to create the perfect place setting. With four colors and three styles, these dishwasher- and microwave-safe dishes make cleanup a synch. As for the silverware, keep it simple. Consider rolling a fork, a spoon and a knife in a napkin and placing it beside the plate. Lastly, a water glass should be put at each place setting.
Guiding Light
“The best outdoor moment is at dusk,” Wilson says. “Coolness sets in and you go from daylight to candlelight.” Simply place glass votives and pillar candles around the table—doubling as weighted objects—that will later light the night.
Middle Ground
“Any celebration merits a centerpiece,” Tutera says. A few freshly cut flowers will do the trick.
Oh, Goodie
Not every backyard barbecue needs a theme, but it’s nice for guests to part ways with a few treats. “Consider [gifting them with] infused honey, homemade barbecue sauce or even potted herbs,” Tutera says. “‘Gimme bags,’ [or giveaways for guests], are becoming a tradition,” Wilson says.
