Create the ultimate outdoor dinner party by using this idea as inspiration.
We’re sharing how we put together an outdoor autumn dinner party with North Bay Produce.
Below is the menu, resource list, and ideas for creating a one-of-a-kind dinner party experience.
Outdoor Dinner Party with North Bay Produce
One of our goals for having an outdoor living space was to host dinner parties for our friends and family.
We have worked with North Bay Produce for over a year, sharing various recipes featuring their products.
You can see some of our recipes here:
Apple Sausage Cornbread Stuffing
This past Autumn, we hosted our first collab dinner party with North Bay Produce.
The goal was to highlight their produce, which we learned some of our guests were already consumers of NBP blueberries!
However, they were unaware North Bay Produce was more than just blueberries.
Before the dinner started, we introduced guests to one of our favorite brands.
Guests received swag bags featuring North Bay Produce branded items, including:
- branded hat
- a mini charcuterie board
- a branded insulated cooler bag
- NBP pens
- North Bay Produce dried cranberries
- containers of blueberries
We added a few items to the bags as well:
- a branded grocery bag (we purchased the jute tote and then took it to a local print shop to have the brand’s name placed on the bag).
- coffee gift card
- cookies made by a local shop in the shape of fruit
The menu for our North Bay Produce dinner:
For our menu, we wanted to highlight what North Bay Produce is known for its blueberries.
They also produce strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, asparagus, green beans, Brussels sprouts, and more.
We curated a menu with blueberries as the main focus, making sure each course featured blueberries.
We also featured their apples, strawberries, butternut squash, and Brussels sprouts.
Since Derrick would be in charge of the entire menu, we devised a menu that would allow us to prep ahead of time.
The smoked pulled pork was placed in the smoker the night before and was ready by the early afternoon.
Pro-tip: If you’re hosting a dinner party and doing all of the cooking, it’s essential to create a menu you can handle with minimal help.
Who is North Bay Produce?
North Bay Produce is an international cooperative of fruit and vegetable growers based in Traverse City, Michigan.
North Bay Produce focuses on a wide range of produce, including apples, asparagus, blueberries, cherries, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables.
The cooperative operates to provide fresh, locally-grown produce to consumers while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability.
We encourage you to check out their website to learn more!
Look for their produce the next time you’re at the grocery store.
How this dinner party came together:
Organizing an outdoor dinner party featuring North Bay Produce for 18-20 guests was a fun experience with thematic details.
Balloon Garland Feature:
Highlighting North Bay Produce’s brand logo, we designed a gorgeous feature wall with a balloon garland cascading down the side (created by a Mid-Michigan woman-owned company, Stellableu Designs).
The balloon garland used the brand’s colors, primarily green balloons with red roses, creating a visually striking backdrop for our table.
This also made for the perfect photo opportunity for our guests (as you can see below)!
Our outdoor dinner tablescape:
We used the brand’s signature colors and set the table with vibrant green cloth napkins, white plates, gold charges, gold silverware, green goblets, and a stylish green runner, creating a visually appealing and cohesive setting.
Since it was an autumn dinner party, we incorporated seasonal flowers like dahlias, adding a burst of fall colors and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
Our gorgeous dahlias were purchased at a local farm, Anne, with Swallowtail Farm.
She is one of our go-to places to get flowers and produce during the summer and fall seasons.
Personalized place cards added a special touch to each guest’s seating arrangement, making everyone feel welcome.
It’s also a great way to ensure guests can mingle with friends and connect with new people.
We also included a branded card featuring information about the NBP. You can see a copy of it here.
We placed green candles throughout the table to enhance the cozy fall ambiance, casting a warm glow as the evening unfolded.
Towards the end of the table, we used a marquee featuring the brand’s letters- NBP.
Stellableu did a great job taking our vision of what we wanted and helping us create a whole vibe!
Don’t forget the music:
Derrick curated a Spotify playlist to complement the evening’s atmosphere, providing continuous music for our guests.
Resource List:
Photography by @courtsiderese
Videography by Angela Jackson
Feature wall and NBP marquee by Stellableu Designs)
Chiavari Chairs by Eleven11 Events
Flowers by Swallowtail Farm
Table Design by Tatanisha
Food prepared by Derrick (He did an excellent job!)
White dinner and salad plates – Pottery Barn
Gold Chargers- Craft Store
Gold silverware- Target
Hurricane Candle Holders- Amazon
Green Vintage Goblets – Amazon
Drinking Glasses- HomeGoods
Green Chiffon Table Runner– Amazon
Outdoor wood tables – rented from Facebook Marketplace
We can’t forget our servers:
Let’s not forget about our servers! Our son, Zayd’n, and two of his friends took on this role, and they nailed it.
Dressed in white polo tops, black pants paired with white tennis shoes, and black aprons, they looked the part and added a touch of professionalism to this event.
Not only did they take care of serving our guests, allowing Derrick to focus on preparing and cooking the food, and giving me the freedom to mingle with our friends, but they also brought the party to life with their jokes, funny moments, and, yes, some unexpected dance moves.
I would also like to mention that our oldest sons, Ziah and Zion, helped set up this event and were part of our cleanup crew.
Ziah also assisted Derrick in the kitchen. We are so thankful to all of our boys for helping us pull off a fantastic evening.
These boys went above and beyond, doing the job and entertaining our guests throughout the evening.
It wasn’t just about serving—it was about creating an experience.
Their energy, humor, and dance-floor magic added more fun to the event. I would hire them again!
Pro-tip: We highly recommend hiring servers if you’re hosting a dinner party/event with more than ten people.
Every aspect of this dinner party, from the themed elements inspired by North Bay Produces’s colors to the vibrant feature balloon wall, made the evening unforgettable.
This gathering was more than just a feast for the senses; it was a testament to the importance of planning, shared laughter, and the joy of bringing people together over food. Two things easily connect people: food and music.
We are grateful to have an amazing partner like North Bay Produce that enables us to combine our passions for food and entertainment to create a unique experience.
Enjoy more photos from our outdoor dinner party!
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