Celebrating love on Valentine’s Day has us all thinking about doing something sweet for our special someone. Avoid the mood-killing crowds and wait at local restaurants. Why not host a charming date at home by planning a romantic dinner under the Texas stars on your own patio?

Ambience is composed when you give attention to each of the senses: sights, sounds, touch, smell and taste. You can create a romantic setting by paying attention to each layer.

Here are three tips to create a perfectly romantic dinner for you and your love.

Build Anticipation

Setting an expectation for a romantic evening starts with a great invitation. For the tech savvy romantic, use a smart phone app for creating an invitation. These invitations can be mailed via snail mail or delivered through many other electronic formats. Your love will know you have been thinking about them and planning for a very special night.

Set the Mood

Nothing sets the stage for romance like twinkling lights in a darkened space. Hang up stringed bulb lights on the patio. Then, group traditional or battery-operated candles on the table, which will throw the perfect flicker that makes candlelight so romantic.

Choose some low, soft background music to fill the air with the sounds of love. Be sure your speakers are unobtrusive, so they enhance the setting, rather than steal from the mood. A tiny, handheld speaker like the Soundlink® Mini from Bose is an ideal candidate for the job.

Adding fresh-cut flowers to the table is both thoughtful and it smells great, too. Roses are always a welcome, traditional option. Alternatively, jasmine and ylang-ylang are regarded for kindling romantic feelings. But flowers are not for everyone, so try these other scent options to spark romance: vanilla, lavender, cinnamon, or orange.

Warmth and soft or smooth items are most associated with romance, so pay attention to the temperature of the space. If it’s a cool night, sitting close to an outdoor heater or fireplace will help set the mood. Keep a cozy blanket nearby. Also, arrange the table and chairs in such a way that you’ll be able to sit close together.

Plan the Menu

Keep the menu simple, so you can focus on your love. Start with a Romance Caribeno Cocktail, which will have you imagining an island breeze in your own backyard. Try this perfectly-portioned Grilled Stead Salad for two for a one-dish entree. For dessert, we suggest this Grilled Pound Cake with Espresso Chocolate Sauce, in which you’ll grill a store-bought poundcake and create a simple, but rich sauce to top it. You’ll wow your love with this simple but decadent meal.

Employing these tips for a romantic evening on your patio will get your perfectly romantic patio date off to a great start. What other romantic ideas would you add to these tips? Tell us in the comments below.

Did you host a charming date on your patio? We’d love to hear about how you set the stage in the comments below!