Hosting a fun couples dinner party is a great way to spend the evening! On top of enjoying time with your significant other, you also get to hang out with your friends from the comfort of your own home. But if you’re planning a dinner party for couples, you’re going to need plenty of ideas to get you started.
From fun themes to delicious recipes, here are dozens of couples dinner party ideas to a host a great time for your friends at home!
Couples Dinner Party Ideas & Themes
Coming up with a dinner party theme is a great way to help you organize the decorations and menu for your get-together. Whether you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner party or just inviting your couple friends over for a fun night in, these dinner party themes are a perfect way to frame your evening!
Food themes
Using the menu as the theme for your dinner party is a quick and easy way to bring everything together. You can use the food’s origin as the theme (Italian, Mexican, Greek, etc.) or make the food itself the star with a make-your-own menu (homemade pizza, taco bar, sundae bar, etc.). We also have a great list of cold appetizers you might like!
Desserts first
Flip your dinner party menu upside down by serving desserts first, then offer the main course to your guests for a fun evening with a group of friends.
Color coded
Set a color theme for your party, then use the color to inspire your menu. Use only foods in that color (or color combo) to create a feast for the eyes at your dinner party.
Wine and co*cktails
Serve up wine or signature co*cktails as the main focus of your dinner party, using the menu as a way to accent your drinks.
Progressive dinner party
A progressive dinner party is where different courses are served at each others’ homes. This works great if you’re in a neighborhood!
Murder mystery dinner
Accent your dinner party with a show by setting up a themed murder mystery for your guests to solve. Purchase a pre-made dinner party game or come up with your own mystery if you’re creative.
Time period
A time period theme is perfect for birthdays or special occasions! You just use your favorite decade to inspire the food and decorations for your party.
Family style
Instead of serving a plated dinner to your party guests, set out all the food as a family-style meal. Allow your guests to serve themselves for a more laid-back affair.
How to Make the Night Extra Special
Dinner Party Invitations
You could also go the extra mile and send out dinner party invitations to the guest list ahead of time! It’s just one of the fun ways to let your dinner guests know what to expect the night of! You can also include on the invite if there is a special dress code or not.
Place Cards or Settings
Unique place cards or place settings are also a way to keep the theme going the entire night!
Photo booths
A photo booth is a great way to remember the night and celebrate any special occasion!
Fun Drinks
Setting up a mini bar or having several different bottles of wine can be a great choice for guests as they first come into the party. We love to start the evening with a co*cktail or glass of wine!
When it comes to hosting a dinner party, finding the perfect recipes is essential. From delicious main dishes to decadent desserts, you’ll find all the recipe inspiration you need to put together an amazing menu for your next dinner party here: Photo Credit:www.beyondthechickencoop.com Featuring a red wine sauce, this recipe for braised short ribs from Beyond the Chicken coop is perfect for a couples dinner party. Photo Credit:www.sunglowkitchen.com Why serve boring salad at your dinner party when you can make these fun salad kabobs from Sunglow Kitchen. Photo Credit:strengthandsunshine.com Your dinner party guests will love the delicious flavors in this roasted chicken recipe from Strength and Sunshine, and you’ll love how easy it is to make. Photo Credit:simplelivingrecipes.com The delicious combination of fresh strawberries, meringue cookies, and whipped cream in this strawberry trifle from Simply Living Recipes is a beautiful dessert to end your meal. Enjoy a vegetarian main course at your next dinner party with this recipe for lasagna al forno with mushrooms from Splash of Taste. Photo Credit:www.smartypantskitchen.com Bring the flavors of a steakhouse to your dinner table with this easy baked potato recipe from Smarty Pants Kitchen. Photo Credit:drivemehungry.com With this simple recipe for broiled lobster tail from Drive Me Hungry, your dinner party guests can enjoy a delicious seafood dinner. Photo Credit:www.marathonsandmotivation.com Combine fingerling potatoes and brussels sprouts with fresh rosemary to make this simple side dish from Marathons and Motivation. Photo Credit:livetosweet.com The delicious combination of chocolate and salted caramel makes this simple tart recipe from Live To Sweet a decadent treat for your dinner party. Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com Thanks to a red wine sauce, this recipe for roast beef tenderloin from The Forked Spoon is a tender and juicy main dish to serve your guests. Photo Credit:myketoplate.com Since you can make this recipe for pork chops with garlic sauce from My Keto Plate in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a last-minute couples dinner party with your friends. Photo Credit:maesmenu.com These cheesy scalloped sweet potatoes from Mae’s Menu are a sweet and salty side dish to pair with your dinner party’s main course. Photo Credit:www.sweetandsavourypursuits.com This recipe for pistachio crusted salmon from Sweet and Savory Pursuits is easy enough for a weeknight dinner but fancy enough for a couple’s dinner party. Photo Credit:www.lemonblossoms.com Tender shrimp topped with a creamy sauce make up this easy Cajun alfredo pasta recipe from Lemon Blossoms. Photo Credit:herbsandflour.com Make your entire dinner party meal in one pan with this pork tenderloin sheet pan meal from Herbs and Flour. Photo Credit:flavormosaic.com Start off your dinner party with a spicy appetizer with this easy Mexican shrimp co*cktail recipe from Flavor Mosaic. Photo Credit:stephaniessweets.com With three layers of chocolate, this triple chocolate cheesecake from Stephanie’s Sweet Treats would make a delicious dessert for your dinner party. Photo Credit:www.dinneratthezoo.com Create an amazing cheese board for your dinner party with these tips from Dinner at the Zoo. Photo Credit:foolproofliving.com With this easy baked chicken parmesan recipe from Fool Proof Living, you can prepare a classic dinner recipe for your couple friends. Photo Credit:amandascookin.com Use your air fryer to whip up some crab cakes for your dinner party with this easy recipe from Amanda’s Cookin’. Photo Credit:aubreyskitchen.com This roasted asparagus recipe from Aubrey’s Kitchen is an easy side dish that pairs well with any dinner party main dish. Photo Credit:www.spendwithpennies.com Your dinner party guests will love the delicious sauce on this recipe for Dijon chicken breasts from Spend with Pennies. Photo Credit:culinaryshades.com Use your bread machine to make Olive Garden style breadsticks for your dinner party with this recipe from Culinary Shades. This key lime pie only uses 4 ingredients and is always a party favorite! It's super creamy and easy to make! You don't need an ice cream machine to make this refreshing, gorgeous dessert! We love to include cream horns on the menu because they look so pretty and fancy! They're actually pretty easy to make, too! This ice cream sundae bar allows guests to choose from a variety of toppings, and it's so much fun!Easy Couples Dinner Party Recipes
Braised Short Ribs
Salad Kabobs
Cast Iron Whole Roasted Chicken
Strawberry Trifle
Steakhouse Baked Potatoes
Broiled Lobster Tail
Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts
Chocolate Caramel Tart
Roast Beef Tenderloin
Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce
Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
Pistachio Crusted Salmon
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Pork Tenderloin
Mexican Shrimp co*cktail
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake
Cheese Board
Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Crab Cakes
Roasted Asparagus
Dijon Chicken Breasts
Breadsticks
Award Winning Key Lime Pie
Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream
Cream Horns
Ice Cream Sundae Charcuterie Board
A final note on these couples dinner party ideas:
You can even have a great time having a casual dinner and then playing party games with friends in the living room! So don’t sweat it if you don’t plan an elaborate dinner party!
We also hosted a fun Home Bourbon Tasting Party and a Cheers and Beers to 30 Years Party your might like!
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