In the mood for a little fall entertaining? Today we present a fall dinner party concept that’s festive and chic. A “less is more” approach will help set a modern tone for the evening. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, and tables will be heaping with pumpkins, gourds and other fall produce. Make this night about understated style, giving your guests a hint of the fall days ahead, as well as a bountiful dose of delicious food with a gourmet touch. Read on for all the details…

Fall Dinner Party Decor

Fall is the perfet time for dining outdoors. Although the image below is from the fabulous summer dinner party of Athena Calderone, it perfectly captures the mood of our party concept. With a hint of warm weather still in the air (it’s not winter yet, folks), this dinner party can be casual yet elegant. String lights overhead. Don’t hesitate to invite guests to enjoy time on the lawn with the help of stylish blankets, pillows and rugs. If you feel inspired, construct a low-to-the-ground table for an unforgettable dining experience. [from Lonny]

This Welcome Napkin from Crate & Barrel beautifully captures our dinner party concept: simple and chic, with a hint of upscale style.

While the rich tones of the food will help set the palette for this gathering, don’t hesitate to add a dose of color with striped placemats, such as this Border Stripe Yarn Dye Placemat Set from West Elm. Go with one tone for a more uniform look, or mix and match them for variety.

One of our favorite parts of autumn: the interesting tones of the fall moon. Let the moon be a source of inspiration. As this blood moon from Universe Today shows us (below, left), there’s mystery and warmth in the night sky’s celestial orb. We’re also quite smitten with the moon party created and beautifully documented by Design Love Fest. Moon watercolor place cards are a magical touch (below, right)!

While fall leaves and pumpkins are a tried and true fall decor combination, try something a bit more unexpected, such as bittersweet branches. They’re contemporary while bursting with fall festivity at the same time. [from Reluctant Entertainer]

You can also put produce on display without veering into pumpkin and gourd territory. Set out a bowl of figs or pears for a decadent touch. These Organic Shaped Serving Bowls from West Elm keep the vibe modern.

With a chill in the air, let the flicker of candlelight introduce an element of warmth. These Marble + Wood Candleholders from West Elm are the perfect platforms for pillar candles. Plus, they’re very on trend!

Fall Party Food

With the decor ready to go, it’s time to think about the menu for this dinner party. Our advice: Make it easy yet special. We’ll elaborate with the help of the images that follow. For starters, use fresh herbs to your advantage. Remember the photo of Athena Calderone’s dinner party (at the top of the post)? Below we see Ms. Calderone prepare crostini topped with thyme, mint and parsley.

You can’t go wrong with a cheese plate! It’s easy to throw together when you have quality ingredients. Below we see a Rosemary Cashews and Cheese Plate from Evite (designed and compiled by Jessica Bailey, Evite’s in-house party stylist). Her edibles of choice: a hard cheese, a soft cheese and a blue cheese, with plenty of crackers, champagne grapes, figs and truffle honey to go along.

Nuts and olives are other appetizer staples that are perfect for foodies. This Universal Expert Olive Dish from West Elm has an inner bowl for shells and pits, or you can use both areas of the dish for serving:

Drink ideas, anyone?! You can’t go wrong with wine. It’s also fun to have a signature cocktail on hand. This Cranberry Red Wine Spritzer from A Beautiful Mess is a great beverage to help celebrate the transition from summer to fall:

Since the appetizers for this party are easy to compile, it’s always fun to have one “special” item on the menu. Something that is beautifully presented. Something that takes your gathering up a notch. This recipe for Roasted Carrots with Honey, Sage and Garlic from Canelle et Vanille will do the trick! It’s easy to prepare, and as you can see, it’s undeniably gorgeous!

If your guests enjoy meat, don’t hesitate to include a pork tenderloin, a roasted chicken, or another delicious selection to satisfy the carnivores! If you have vegetarians in the mix, this Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup from Eclectic Recipes is an ideal way to welcome fall. Plus, you can prepare a big pot of soup ahead of time, which makes your party prep that much easier.

A delicious salad is a must, as well as a delectable dessert. Check out Popsugar’s Ultimate Fall Party Menu for a collection of unforgettable recipes. We can’t wait to try the Celery and Parmesan Salad, as well as the Apple Crisp Baked Apples (shown below).

If you’re looking for a crowd pleaser, you can never go wrong with Chocolate Pumpkin Bread. Serve this dessert with the ice cream of your choice, and you’ll have a beautiful end to your night. Here’s another item that can be made ahead of time to simplify your evening of entertaining. Check out the recipe at A Beautiful Mess:

We know. We said not to overdo the pumpkins for this event. But these white mini pumpkins make the perfect parting gift for your guests. Their understated color is a lovely complement to the elegant evening you’ve just enjoyed. [from Tone on Tone]

We at Decoist with you a beautiful fall! We’ll feature another autumn party concept as we get closer to Thanksgiving. Until then, enjoy the beautiful weather, and don’t hesitate to celebrate the new season with delicious food and the people you care about.