This Patriotic Party's Red, White, and Blue Palette Has Lasting Power All Summer Long

Hosting is easy in the summertime, and that's especially true on the Fourth of July. After a year of social distancing, families can safely gather again for backyard barbecues, picnic outings, and firework displays (weather permitting, of course). However, you may be more inclined to bring the festivities indoors and enjoy a smaller (and hopefully, cooler) celebration with your immediate household.

For tips on how to host a summer party at home we turned to party planners Royale Ziegler of But First, Party! and Rachel Huntington of Bonjour Fête. Their tablescape will inspire you to create your own festive setup from the first day of summer through Labor Day.

A Star-Spangled Setting

"For this year's Fourth of July, we looked to bring as much red, white, and blue to the table as possible," says Ziegler. As a focal point, their pristine white bistro table was decorated with a mix of Americana-style patterns: stars, stripes, and picnic-inspired gingham. Take a look at the details and there's more for guests to be surprised by in the place settings: metallic fringed cups, eco-friendly bamboo cutlery, and star-spangled blue napkins ($6.95, bonjourfete.com). Huntington encircled the table's edge with a paper Stars and Stripes Bunting Banner ($13.50, bonjourfete.com). Served as refreshments, they offered mixed berry tartlets on pedestal stands and a bottle of rosé just waiting to be uncorked.

Décor with American Spirit

A ravishing red floral arrangement by the Gratitude Collaborative served as the centerpiece, comprised of wild sweet peas and greens, parrot tulips, spray roses, anthurium flowers, carnations, red feather grass, and the aptly named Mister Lincoln tea roses. In fact, roses hold a special symbolism for the Fourth of July: The red rose represents beauty and devotion, and was declared our national flower in 1986 by President Ronald Regan during a special ceremony at the White House rose garden. As the finishing touch to this arrangement, they added banners printed with celebratory messages like "Hooray U.S.A." and "Happy Fourth."

Floating above the table were a few helium-filled mylar balloons. "The rainbow balloons also added a nice touch, as they are aptly named the 'Peace Love Unity Rainbow' balloon ($6.49, burtonandburton.com), and represent the values that America was built upon." Ziegler has an idea for how to reuse them, too: "Another tip is to repurpose these balloons for your next patriotic fête by cutting up the pieces and creating a 'U.S. of Yay!' confetti mix!"

With post-COVID celebrations, Ziegler's advice is to make every gathering feel special regardless of size or occasion. "Thoughtful details that double as take-home gifts, like the custom Fourth of July flags we incorporated within the tablescape," she says, "are one way to leave guests feeling like they are taking a piece of the party home!"