Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting

Being able to eat outdoors for so many months of the year is one of my most favorite things about living in Colorado. When the afternoon rains stay away, we typically eat outside. “Alfresco” is an Italian term that means “in the cool (air)”. Today, I am excited to share a Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting for a dinner party we recently hosted.

I am also so happy to be joining an amazing group of women sharing their own summer tablescape ideas. I have been following some of these ladies since before I started blogging, so it is really fun for me to be sharing this hop with them today. The links to their beautiful posts are at the bottom of this post.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting

If you know me well, you know that I do not use table cloths very often. However, when trying to create a lovely outdoor setting, I think it helps create a more formal tablescape. Instead of a white table cloth, I used a soft, cream linen table cloth to soften the look.

To help create a rustic look, I added burlap table runners to serve as placemats for the place settings. These were only $10 each, so it is also a cost-effective way to set a table.

I really enjoy making dining experiences unique for our guests, so I decided to bring our indoor dining chairs outside. It made for such a cozy setting.

Place Settings for our Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting

Simple was the name of the game here. For starters, I knew my French Apilco Tres’ Grande Porcelain dinnerware from Williams Sonoma would be perfect. They are heavy porcelain and work great for a rustic alfresco gathering.

For the chargers, I didn’t own any that are as rustic as I wanted them to be so I turned to my friend who owns Distinctive Tabletop Rentals. She had these fantastic driftwood chargers that add a wonderful layer of rustic texture. Renting pieces you don’t have can be a great way to compliment your own serving ware without breaking the bank. Plus, you don’t have to store a whole new set!

Mixing up glassware can also add character to a table setting. For this function, I used my grey wine glasses (they are not available anymore, but I sourced a similar option below) and then chose the gold bubble glasses for the water glass (also from the Distinctive Tabletop Rentals). I thought they worked really well with the golden tone of the burlap and the gold flatware.

The light grey napkins tied in my breakfast room side chairs.

Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting Centerpiece

Because our event was for 8 people, there was not a lot of room in the center of the table so simplicity was, again, the name of the game. The galvanized metal hurricanes set the tone. Next, I added in the sugar pine cones and the antler’s to enhance the rustic look.

Because we were surrounded by such beautiful greenery, plants, and flowers, I felt that we didn’t need much on the table. Hence, I only added a few succulents to finish things off.

PRO TIP: When entertaining outdoors in the summer, let your environment be the star of the show! Keep things simple and comfortable on your table. We love having our guests linger after a lovely dinner.

To see other ideas for Alfresco dining, come see the Alfresco Dinner Party we had for Father’s Day.

Hopefully, the weather you have where you live allows for relaxing summer entertaining outdoors. I am so happy you stopped by today to see the details of our simple Rustic Alfresco Summer Table Setting. I am sure you will LOVE seeing all the talents of my blogging friends below. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy!!

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