It is September and the mornings are getting crisp, but the afternoons are still holding onto that golden summer warmth. Before we fully dive into pumpkin spice territory, there is one last celebration that needs to happen: The Harvest Dinner. This year, the “Home is the New Hotspot” trend has dominated, and for good reason. Why fight for a reservation when the best table in town is in your own backyard?

If you’ve been seeing the “Tomato Girl Summer” aesthetic all over your feed—think rustic Italian countryside, linen dresses, and Aperol spritzes—this is the perfect way to bring that vibe to life for one final, glorious evening.

The Vibe: Rustic Abundance

The goal here isn’t perfection; it’s warmth. We want the energy of a long lunch in Tuscany that accidentally stretched into dinner.

The Setup: Push tables together to create one long communal table.

• Push tables together to create one long communal table.
• The Setup invites a casual, family-style vibe that encourages conversation.
• Optional: Add a few extra chairs for a more generous feel.

The Tableware

Leave the matching sets in the cupboard. This trend thrives on mismatched china and vintage glassware. The eclectic mix makes it feel cozy and lived-in.

The Lighting

As the sun sets earlier, rely on low light. Chunky pillar candles and string lights are your best friends here.

The Decor: Edible & Earthy

Forget expensive floral arrangements. For a Harvest Dinner, the food is the decor. We are celebrating the “fruits of your labor” (even if your labor was just walking to the local farmer’s market—we won’t tell).

• Edible Centerpieces: instead of flowers, fill bowls with fresh lemons, artichokes, and bright red tomatoes on the vine. Scatter loose radishes or heads of garlic down the table runner. It’s colorful, textural, and smells amazing.

The Favors

Use small terracotta pots with fresh basil, rosemary, or thyme as place settings. It adds greenery to the table, and guests get to take fresh herbs home to their own kitchens.

The DIY Project: Handwritten Menus

At Whimsy Invites, we believe the magic is in the details. Since the decor is loose and rustic, ground the event with a structured, thoughtful touch: The Handwritten Menu.

You don’t need to be a calligrapher to do this!

• Buy some heavy, textured cardstock (cream or soft kraft paper works best).
• Type out your menu title in a simple font, but leave space to write the dishes by hand.
• Use a nice felt-tip pen to list your farm-to-table fare (e.g., Heirloom Tomato Galette, Fresh Fig Salad).

The Invite: Set the Table Before They Arrive

The invitation tells your guests two things: what to wear and what to expect. For a Garden Harvest dinner, you want an invite that feels organic and fresh.

Get the Look with Whimsy Invites: Vegetable motifs and gingham prints are having a huge moment right now.

• The Botanical Route: Look for our templates featuring hand-drawn illustrations of herbs, tomatoes, or citrus.
• The Pattern Route: A classic red or sage green gingham border suggests a laid-back, delicious meal shared among friends.
• Customize the text to be warm and welcoming: “Join us for a night of good food, good wine, and great company under the stars.”

The season is shifting, and there’s no better way to honor the harvest than by gathering your favorite people, sharing a beautiful meal, and savoring one last golden evening together.