Easy Entertaining: Poolside Pizza Party

Photos:

Tessa McAuliff | Florals: Shaun O’Dwyer Flowers

Summer entertaining should be as easy as pie. Pizza ovens are so popular now that hosting a backyard pizza party by the pool is the perfect theme for an evening with family and friends.

The Decor

• Rustic table decor: Keep things casual with black and white gingham napkins, woven placemats, burlap table runner, place cards with fresh rosemary, and a beautiful green and white arrangement for the middle of the table. If you don’t have time to get florals, big pots of fresh herbs down the table look beautiful as well.

• Monogrammed aprons and pizza cutters for each guest also serve as a take-home gift at the end of the night. Another take-home gift idea is mini pizza oil bottles filled with olive oil and fresh rosemary, which is perfect for roasting potatoes, grilling chicken, or even homemade salad dressings.

• Italian music playing in the background.

• Market lights and lots of votive candles.

• Lots of potted basil, fresh artichokes, tomatoes on the vine, and San Marzano tomato cans.

PIZZA BAR and GRAZING TABLE

• Set up a pizza bar and grazing table so guests can help themselves to antipasto while their pizzas are cooking.

• Antipasto platters filled with prosciutto, shaved parmesan cheese, marinated olives, roasted peppers, pasta salad, and fresh ciabatta bread. If you can’t make everything from scratch, buy some pre-made items from your local grocery store.

• Pizza toppings for your personal pizza include some of our favorites — pizza oils, fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomato sauce, roasted garlic, pepperoni, sausage and meatballs.

• Add a lemony Caesar salad with garlic croutons.

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