Spring has sprung! But if you’ve lived in Colorado long enough to experience a full year of seasons, you know that Old Man Winter rarely goes softly into that good night. Snow can fall through May, and though it’s been many decades, our area has recorded snowfall in the month of June, too.
Even though warmer temps and milder winds are still in a fickle phase this time of year, we can’t help but be excited about their arrival. We’re daydreaming of all the ways we want to entertain outside, which got us thinking of fun ways our clients can enjoy their custom decks, patios, or gazebos–especially gazebos.
The architecture of gazebos is grand and stately. Add to it the fact that they are designed to take advantage of beautiful scenery while providing a touch of solitude, and they become all the more inviting.
As custom gazebo builders in the Denver area, we hope we can encourage you to enjoy your gazebo in a way you might never have thought of. Step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary by setting up a romantic dinner for two.
(PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay)
Set the Stage
The forethought and planning you put into pulling off this dinner date will wow your loved one. It’s impressive without being complicated. Anyone can make a reservation–you will make more: a fun memory of a “bella notte“– a beautiful night.
Your dinner date can be timed with the sun’s setting or take place under a canopy of twinkling stars. If your gazebo doesn’t already have a table, grab an easily moveable one, like a foldable card table. Cover it with a tablecloth; add two chairs, and voila! You’re well on your way to a romantic dinner.
Set the Table
Next, you’ll need dinner plates, silverware, and drinkware. We suggest securing the underside of the tablecloth to the table with tape in a few places or tying hanging corners to the table legs if the wind is breezy or unpredictable. Set out your sturdier plates and drinkware–no paper plates and plastic cups tonight. Stemware glasses can be prefilled with water for extra stability on a breezy night.
To create an exceptional ambiance, top the center of your table with a beautiful centerpiece, have some music playing in the background (maybe you and your loved one’s special song), and perhaps a printed menu. We suggest a centerpiece small enough to see over, music soft enough to talk over, and LED candles, so you don’t have to worry about a live flame.
Bonus suggestions: Consider setting up a telescope to get a closer look at the stars later. Your friends or the local library might have one you can borrow for the occasion.
Have blankets ready just in case temps get chilly. This is Colorado we’re talking about.
What’s on the Menu?
A beautiful setting and thoughtful staging are the highlights of this date night. That means your menu can be low-key. Order takeout from your loved one’s favorite restaurant or grab a take-and-bake meal from your local grocery store. You could even step up the amore by recreating one of the most iconic scenes in the history of movies: prepare a simple, classic Italian feast like spaghetti and meatballs with a side of breadsticks, a la Lady and the Tramp.
The Proverbial Cherry on Top
End the night with dessert. Or don’t, and stargaze or slow dance instead. Or do all three in any order you want because this is your night and your restaurant. Your creative, out-of-the-ordinary dinner is sure to impress your loved one and add extra adventure and excitement to your year and relationship.
Alternative Date Night Ideas
What’s a person to do if they want to have a gazebo date night with their loved one but don’t own a gazebo? We have a few alternative ideas for that scenario, too.
- Idea No. 1: Call your custom gazebo company in Denver immediately to begin your plans for a surprise gazebo. Your date night can go one of two ways after this. You can either: 1) surprise your loved one with an outdoor picnic and construction plans at the spot of your soon-to-be gazebo, or 2) wait for your gazebo to be built and then proceed with said dinner date.
- Idea No. 2: Consider using a public gazebo. You may have to reserve the structure and enlist the help of a friend or family member for setting up and safeguarding your things until you and your loved one arrive.
Advantages of Your Own, Personal Gazebo
Having a gazebo in your very own yard definitely makes a gazebo date night easier to pull off–no drive time, no reservation needed, and easier prep and clean up.
Additionally, custom gazebos can be built to complement the size of your yard and the style of your home. They beautify your property and could be what seals the deal on a future sale. You get to entertain under it year-round and at your convenience. Different enclosures offer varying degrees of comfort and privacy, and you get to decorate it (and leave it decorated).
We hope you are inspired to add some pizzazz to one of your evening dinners by taking to the great outdoors (or screened-in outdoors, as the case may be). Check out more of our gazebo blogs for additional ideas.
