Birthday parties idea

Garden dinner party

A garden dinner party birthday seats everyone at one long table in the backyard under bistro lights, with cross-back chairs, a runner, candles and family-style platters. Ideal for 12 to 40 guests.

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Farm table dinner with crossback chairs, styled at an event (AI-generated example)

The look

Palette and decor

Olive #7A7D4ETerracotta #C46A4ALinen #EDE4D3

Candles in glass down the table
Herb and citrus centrepieces
Linen napkins
Bistro lights overhead

Setup ideas

How to set it up

Backyard or tented lawn

Farm tables end to end down the lawn, lights strung between the house and a pole or tree.

Indoors or a rented room

Clear the living room for one long table; rent chairs so everyone matches.

Activities and games

Things for guests to do

Toasts between courses
Ask three friends to speak.
DIY: no rental needed
Family-style platters
Shared dishes passed down the table.
Rent: Serving tray / platter ($5.50)
Lawn games after dinner
Bocce or cornhole as the sun goes down.
Rent: Yard game ($27.50)

Props and DIY

What to buy or make

Menu cards
Herb bundles
Polaroid camera

These aren't rentals: they're the finishing touches most hosts buy or make.

Rent the look

Rentals for a garden dinner party

Quantities shown for 50 guests. In the planner they adjust to your guest count, and you can change or remove anything.

Add to my plan

Farm table

Wood, 8' x 40", seats 8-10

$97.90each

× 5 for 50 guests. Long farm table.

Cross-back chair

Wood, 17.5"W x 19"D x 35"H, wicker or wood seat

$9.74each

× 50 for 50 guests. Cross-back chairs.

Cloth dinner napkins in five colors enhance an elegant wedding reception table, styled inside an ornate gold ring atop a plate and neatly fanned beside a lush floral runner

Cloth napkin

20" x 20" polyester, many colors

$0.83each

× 50 for 50 guests. Linen napkins.

A Gold candelabra holds glowing taper candles amid floral centerpieces on a table at an elegant wedding reception where festive guests mingle under sparkling chandeliers and fairy lights

Candle holder

Votive, hurricane or taper holder

$2.75eachEst.

× 15 for 50 guests. Candles down the table.

Bistro string lights

Per 100 ft strand, LED globe bulbs

$82.50per 100 ftEst.

× 2 for 50 guests. Bistro lights.

A waiter serves appetizers from an elevated silver serving tray displayed among candles and floral arrangements on a buffet table at an elegant wedding reception

Serving tray / platter

Stainless or silver, assorted sizes

$5.50each

× 5 for 50 guests. Family-style platters.

These add-ons for 50 guests, before delivery, setup and tax

$1,251.75

Prices are based on local rental companies' published rates plus our booking fee. Your final quote is confirmed by the rental company for your date and venue.

Questions

Garden dinner party FAQs

How long a table for 24 guests?

Three 8-foot farm tables end to end (24 feet) seat 24 to 26.

How many tables and chairs do I need for a birthday party?

For a seated dinner, one chair per guest and a 60-inch round or 8-foot banquet table per eight. For a cocktail party, seats for a third of guests and one highboy per 10 to 15.

Do I need a tent for a backyard birthday?

Not always. For under 40 guests, two 10 by 10 canopies over the food and bar are usually enough. Above that, or if rain is likely, a 20 by 20 or 20 by 40 frame tent covers the seating.

More ideas