Hosting a Fall Brunch
Content and Photos by Mary Rossi
A Guide to a Casual Brunch~
A festive morning gathering puts everyone in good spirits and is less intimidating than a dinner party. A new concept behind the “casual gathering” is where everyone brings food to share distributing the work so all can play!
A chic casual brunch can easily be pulled off with the right set of tableware, blooms, fall gourds and branches, and an eye for style. Invite your best friends or family over, cue up the music, hot cider and coffee and serve something simple but delicious to welcome Fall.
Try one of these ideas to create a perfect brunch. Your life — and your home — will be the richer for it.
Remember simple can be best. Even if you adore entertaining, hosting a get together and all the details can feel overwhelming. Instead of cutting back on the fun, assign small tasks to your guests so pulling together a fantastic party becomes a group effort that’s easy to achieve. The point of a collaborative Brunch is to have fun, and to reduce the work typically associated with hosting a traditional party.
Choose a loose theme. A color theme makes decorating a snap. If you want to make a big visual impact, try picking a color scheme early on and stick to it. Having everything coordinated creates a rich, cohesive look, even if you’re using simple paper plates and cups. Flowers, paper lanterns and old-fashioned straws are inexpensive and cheerful.
Designer Tip: Layer plates of various shapes for an eclectic setting. In this tablescape I used natural woven placemats with layers of plates + bowls that have a subtle dot pattern that looks like metal and my custom Mary Rossi Designs linen napkins @maryrossidesigns, tortoise glassware. It is a mix of glamour and bohemian vibes, combining neutral colors with both rustic and bright metallics to create a festive yet organic feel.
Invitations. When sending out your invitation(a simple email works in most cases these days), provide ideas for each part of the meal, and ask guests to respond with what they plan to bring to avoid overlaps. If you love the art of handwritten invitations, it’s the little details, like this, that make even a small Brunch or cocktail party a special occasion.
Make the food ahead. The golden rule of the new concept of casual gathering, is that you shouldn’t have to work solo in the kitchen during the party. Either pick something easy to prepare early that just needs to be popped in the oven —Take advantage of your local Bakery for fresh Croissants, Quiche if you do not want to bother with cooking. Find a local Farmer’s Markets with “farm to table” food – a great option to find fabulous cheeses, fruit, herbs and baguettes.
Brunch Libations. Try a new libation at your brunch- a Signature Cocktail is a definite fresh change to the traditional mimosa or Bloody Mary, although to me Sparkling Rosé is always in style!
Nominate a Bartender for the Party. Ask a guest to be the designated Mixologist, make sure guests are served the Brunch Signature Cocktail. Have plenty of ice & glassware, and replenish both when needed. Make the Brunch feel special by starting with champagne and ending with a bite of something sweet — your guests will be in awe!
Take brunch outdoors. Something as simple as having coffee, a champagne cocktail, croissants and fruit on the patio can make a huge difference at your Brunch gathering.
Provide Warmth. Fall weather can be fickle, be prepared by draping a few fluffy blankets around your outdoor seating areas. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Create a Favor. If you want to leave a lasting impression, give your guests a goodie to take home.
Start a breakfast club. Having friends over for brunch is a wonderful way to entertain- it’s easy to throw together a meal. Love this idea? Make it a weekend tradition. Gather a group of friends and take turns hosting.