Get your ladies together because it’s time for a party! And not just any party but a stretch-your-money kind of brunch. I’m aiming on hosting a ladies brunch each season, while reusing as much of the table setting as possible -to save money. So when I purchased everything for my summer ladies brunch party, I kept in mind, would it work for all seasons? You’ll see what I mean below. In the meantime, here I am with my pastries & bar cart trying so hard not to look like a dork. SO HARD.
A few things before we get into the brunch décor. I didn’t cook a darn thing! It was a potluck brunch, thanks to my friend on insisting we make it easier for ourselves. And honestly, juggling the setup and cooking typically is my downfall. So I could not have been happier. Instead, I purchased a dessert, knafeh from Knafeh Queens, and all the drinks.
My friend, I mentioned before, her name is Jaqueline. She helped me with the planning and prep of the brunch. It was so helpful because at the end of the day I did host the party but having someone to bounce ideas off of or talk you down from your lofty ideas is crazy helpful. Plus I was able to use her décor and tableware items, spending less money. Not to mention she helped with the intense and super quick set up we did. I highly recommend having someone help you with the planning! Thank you girl!
Summer Ladies Brunch
My summer ladies brunch was inspired by the watercolor painting I picked up at an Estate Sale a couple years ago. Since it’s summer themed, I wanted flowers, something colorful and fresh and the painting was the perfect jumping off point. It helped us pick out with the flower choices and actually, the napkins. We found watercolor flower napkins to compliment the picture nicely!
One more note. A fair amount of the items like tablecloths, bar carts and other items I own. I’ve been married almost nine years and so I’ve accumulated items due to my love of thrifting, vintage and what-nots. I highly recommend starting a small collection of items you can use for hosting purposes, should you want to have parties in the future!
Speaking of the tableware. Most of the items I picked up can be found on my Amazon store. Click on my banner below to head to the store. Otherwise, let’s get into the details of the summer brunch party!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure by clicking here.
Tableware – Keeping
Honestly. I could not be happier with the tableware items I picked out. I spent a long time searching the internet for the perfect pieces that would match any season, almost any theme. Plus all the tableware, except the chargers, are disposable and on the cheaper side than purchasing the real stuff. That means if they get damaged, I can throw it away and not worry. Plus. they typically come in a larger package so I have enough. AND, since we tend to move a lot, they’re all lightweight and travel easily.
- Chargers
- Faux wooden ones will work with each season and give a nice contrast to the white plates
- Plates
- These delicate and detailed plates are the stuff of dreams. Includes both dinner and dessert plates
- Utensils
- Gold for the win
- Cups
- Clear cups trimmed with a little gold. This packages actually includes polka dot napkins I used on my bar cart
- Tablecloths
- I had my own or borrowed from my Mom, but the one linked looks good
- Folding tables
- I also had my own. You should definitely have at least two around the house. However, you can rent tables for cheap too
- Chairs
- I used my own mismatched ones, but I’m thinking of slowly building a collection that matches. You can also rent these too
Tableware – Throwing Away
- Napkins
- These flower ones matched my watercolor painting nicely and the fresh flowers on the table
- Flowers
- Trader Joes for the win, they’re typically cheaper there. I might even dry out the eucalyptus and keep it till fall and use it again
Brunch Pastries & Coffee Table
- Folding table
- One small one for the pastries & coffee table. I find these smaller tables always come in handy
- Tablecloth
- I borrowed my moms, so think about asking friends and family. Otherwise I linked one as an option
- Pedestal stands
- My friend loves pedestal cake stands and so I borrowed hers. She’s awesome but the one linked is cute too
- Beverage dispenser
- I already had it and I’ve had it for years. I recommend getting one of these as well
- Vase
- I had all the vases I used but if you need to start a small collection check out the link or maybe thrift a few
- Glass coffee carafe with creamer & sugar holder
- The coffee carafe is vintage and a gift from my husband, but google it and you can find a ton. I’ve had my creamer and sugar set since we got married from Crate & Barrel
- Coffee cups
- Disposable. I know disposable isn’t the best but it’s so easy. Next time I might use my own collection of mugs
Bar Cart
- Bar cart
- Again, I had my vintage bar cart. It’s actually a vintage Salton hot tray cart, but I use it as a bar cart. I know it’s so hard to find an afforable bar cart but that’s why you go to flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, Facebook marketplace, etc…If you don’t love digging though stuff, I’ve linked one that looks good
- Vase
- I have vases but I linked a cute one
- Eucalyptus garland
- I thought my bar cart needed a little extra something so I decided to grab a strand of fake eucalyptus from Hobby Lobby, I figured it’ll probably look good in future brunches as well
- Pitcher
- I had a subscription to GlobeIn, it’s an artesian subscription box of handmde and ethically sources goods and in one of the boxes there was this super cool pitcher
- Ice bucket
- I picked up my vintage penguin ice bucket from an antique store. If you like it just google that and there are a ton, otherwise I’ve linked a newer one
- Reamer
- Once again, it’s a vintage glass reamer that I picked up at an antique store – you can always find them. But I’ve linked a new one just in case
- Napkins
- Remember these cute polka dot napkins came with the plastic cups I ordered
Brunch Food
Potluck for the win! However, since I didn’t make anything, I can’t give any recipe recommendations. I do though, have a roundup of some of my favorite breakfast recipes here – I do so love the blueberry casserole.
But I can tell you some of the yummy desserts we had were made by awesome bakers: She’s the Baker made an insanely tasty and beautiful peanut butter chocolate cake, she’s out of Southern California. Knafeh Queens makes the best knafeh you’ve ever had and she ships. Lastly, there were super moist and delicious vegan muffins baked by SoCal Crunchy Mama out of Southern California.
Brunch Drinks
- Coffee
- How can it be brunch without coffee? Klatch coffee is one of my favorites
- Non-Alcoholic Sparking Rose Wine
- I love Pierre Chavin Perle non-alcoholic sparkling rose wine. I don’t drink actual alcoholic, so this is a great substitution
- Orange Juice
- Again, it’s still technically breakfast
- Sparkling water
- I like Trader Joes flavored sparkling waters and Spindrift
I absolutely loved hosting my summer ladies brunch and cannot wait for the fall brunch! I hope everything was super helpful and you get inspired to host your own brunch as well. It was absolutely worth the work to have my friends get together and have an amazing time.
