The first step is to pick a theme. This will make it easy to achieve a consistent design style for your table. Play with lively, tropical colors for a bright, vibrant look or set a more sophisticated, subdued mood with more mellow or darker hues. Many people opt for natural motifs like plants or animals to highlight the sense of being outdoors.
Pinterest is a great resource for exploring outdoor dinner party ideas. One of the most popular dinner party décor options is a green and white theme, which you can make as elaborate or simple as you like, depending on your taste and budget.
After you picked a theme, consider what dinnerware and table linens will best reflect your choice. If you're on a budget, use the dinner and glassware you already own and make a statement with candles, flowers, or other more affordable extras.
Or, you can splurge on new dinner and drinkware to really set the mood. Since you're eating outdoors, melamine dinnerware and shatterproof drinkware are excellent options and worth the extra cost if you plan to entertain outdoors often.
The linens and placemats you choose can also either stand out with prints and patterns or serve to highlight the other elements of your tablescape in neutral shades and designs.
You can read out guide on how to set a table for casual and formal meals here.
Here's what you need for an outdoor dinner: