You know it’s Autumn when the air crisps, leaves turn orange, and pumpkin spice smells fill up every room. What better way to ring in this enchanting season than hosting your very own fall dinner party?
Whether you’re planning to host a large soiree or a more intimate dinner, we’ve got all the tricks and tips you need to host the perfect Autumnal dinner party.
The first step of hosting a dinner party is selecting the menu. Chef Stephanie Nass (Chefanie) says she can’t get enough of squash this fall.
“The autumn chill hardens squash rind and thereby makes the flesh naturally very sweet,” Nass says.
There are a plethora of dishes you can make with squash, whether it’s featured in an appetizer or the main course of your dinner.
“I love roasted delicata squash on salads with goat cheese, spaghetti squash sautéed with long noodles, and acorn squash as a bowl for wild rice,” Nass tells Spotlight.
If you don’t want the squash to be the main ingredient in your dinner, you can also opt for pumpkin dishes such as risotto, pasta, or pierogi’s.
Plus, you’ll need to have a decadent dessert. Pies, cakes, and cream-filled pastries are definitely the way to go.
Ambiance is also extremely important to hosting a dinner party. Being that fall is arguably the coziest season, creating an ambiance that is warm and inviting is key to a successful dinner party.
Though the typical Autumnal color palette consists of deeper shades such as browns, reds, and oranges, Chefanie advises adding some lighter colors into the mix.
“I’m mixing blushes of pink into my autumnal flower arrangements,” says Chef Stephanie Nass. “This color adds softness and femininity to the traditional browns.”
If pink is not your style, trying adding some creams to the room for a softer vibe.
Smells are also super important to creating the perfect ambiance. Though the food will create a comforting aroma, lighting candles is always a must.
Dimming the lights and allowing for the flames to illuminate the room will give your party a more intimate feel. If you don’t want to send your guests into sensory overload, we recommend choosing scents that pair well with your dishes.
On her website Chefanie, Chef Nass also offers unscented Painted Corn Taper Candles that add a luxurious feel to the room. These are the perfect options for those who still want to create mood lighting without any overpowering smells.
Creating a cozy ambiance could not be successful without music. Something about Autumn screams classical music. Whether you have a record player or speaker, putting on some classical tunes will set a soothing tone for the rest of the evening.
The table decor is another essential part of hosting a fall dinner party. The Chefanie website also offers Brown Eyelet and Mideval Leaf cocktail napkins on her website.
Adding centerpieces such as mums or cornucopias to the table is also a great way to add some spice to your dinner party.
These small, thoughtful touches will leave your guest thinking about this night for years to come. Now that you’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to host the perfect fall dinner party, we can’t wait to see where your creativity takes you.
Happy hosting!
