Over the holidays, my siblings and siblings-in-law were all in one place for a brief second. You could call it a Christmas miracle. We pounced on the opportunity to have brunch together, a fancy one. I’m a plain white tee and jeans kinda girl, but every once in a blue moon, life calls for a shiny gathering with breakable dishes and real napkins, around a table almost too pretty to sit at. Almost. Here’s how we threw a fancy, picture-worthy brunch (video and bloopers included).
Whoever said you need to throw a brunch alone? This one was made by many talented hands. Dissolving duties over a couple people keeps the mood light and allows people to shine at what they do best. We threw the brunch at my sister-in-law’s (Lauren) beautiful, I’m talking drop dead beautiful, apartment. My sister (Ashleigh) and I were in charge of food and drinks. Lauren and Kalli were in charge of making the table pretty.
Create a simple menu
Brunch doesn’t require a 3 course menu. It’s naturally a simple meal. I prefer it to dinner any day. When creating the menu, consider the dietary restrictions of your friends around the table. We had a couple Paleo eaters in our midst. No matter the restrictions, I like to create one unified menu so that no one feels left out. We went with pancakes, making 2 different batches—whole wheat and gluten- and dairy-free using this mix. We served them with maple syrup, whole milk yogurt, pomegranate seeds, cacao nibs, and coconut shreds. I know what you’re thinking: pancakes can be time intensive. Use a large cast iron or electric griddle to speed up the process.
Prep the night before
In general, recipes can be broken apart, so do some careful dissecting. Make ahead whenever possible. We prepped the dry pancake mixes and deseeded the pomegranates the night before. The morning of, we assembled and cooked the pancakes (kept warm in the oven). From the fridge, we pulled out the toppings and drinks just before the meal. If you’re making a pastry, most likely it can be baked the night before (or the dough can rest covered in the fridge for a morning bake). Likewise, if you’re making a frittata, roast or sauté the veggies ahead of time. Before heading to bed, pull out dishes and glasses. My best advice—make a list and delegate. The morning goes much more smoothly.
Dress the table
What’s a fancy brunch without a pretty table? I came over with a bouquet of eucalyptus ($5 at Trader Joe’s) and a bundle of greenery. Lauren and Kalli made magic by spreading it around the table to keep the profile low. You don’t have to be a professional flower arranger to accomplish this. Maybe our smartest idea, we used food as the centerpiece and tucked the toppings around the greenery. Stacks of pancakes provided nice height while keeping faces visible. I dressed the stacks lightly before we all gathered around the table for an extra pretty presentation.
Make sparkly drinks
I’ve never been big into champagne (hello headache), so we made morning cocktails with Seven Daughters Wine plus a splash of sparkling water and lemonade. They added extra glitz to the already beautiful table and required next to no prep. We invested our time into food prep knowing the drinks would be killer on their own. To build your own bar cart on a budget, check out ordinarydaze.com.
Plan for bloopers
Take a big deep breath, have fun, and plan for bloopers. They are the things good stories are made of. Our morning was filled with many. First, I neglected to inform everyone which stack was paleo friendly. By the time I sat down, nearly all the paleo pancakes were gone (and on the plates of non-paleo eaters). They absolutely loved them. I may have pulled the pancakes off my brother’s plate to salvage them. We had a good laugh. Glasses were broken, garnishes were eaten, and we had the time of our life.
Long story long, a little planning and list making goes a long way (says the non-planner). Keep the drinks and table decor simple, while spending a little extra time prepping the food. But most importantly, invite your friends into the process. Making something beautiful together and enjoying it together is far better than any styled picture. Now, go enter to win free wine so you can get your brunch planning started.
Giveaway
Win a $50 giftcard to uncorked.com and stock up on Seven Daughters Wine.
Place ingredients and champagne flutes on a bar for easy drink making.
To make the Mimosas combine 1 part orange juice, 1 part chardonnay, plus a splash of sparking water into flute. Stir with rosemary sprig and sip slowly.
To make the Mojitos add a handful of mint leaves to a bowl. Muddle to release the flavors. Add a tiny pinch of mint leaves to a flute. Combine 2 parts chardonnay, 1 part sparkling lemonade, plus an ice cube. Cheers!
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I owe a huge thanks to these people, my family. Caleb, for shooting the prettiest video with the perfect amount of personality. Lauren and Kalli, for inviting us into your home, making magic around the table, and taking the coolest pictures on this blog to date. Ashleigh, for cooking stacks and stacks of pancakes. Brooke, for your well manicured, video-perfect hands. Kev, Matt, and Blake, for humoring the beautification process while simultaneously starving. You guys lived! I’d eat a fancy brunch with you any day.
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Making a huge pot of spiced porridge and putting out a spread of toppings incl. yogurt, nuts, berries, jams, homemade sauces, spices, dried fruits… something for everyone! And – pumpkin oatmeal (or banana) pancakes with walnuts.
My all-time favorite dish to make for brunch is a big tray of granola. Then I assemble a million different mix-ins: fresh and dried fruit (berries, apples, bananas, cranberries, cherries, raisins); toasted nuts; a variety of milks and yogurts; plus some candied ginger and cocoa nibs to add a little kick. Everyone makes it special in their own way and no one leaves hungry or disappointed! Thanks for featuring such an awesome giveaway!
I’ve concluded that Pamela’s mix is THE BEST gluten free flour blend I’ve ever had. And those pancakes are definitely making my case! Such a fun brunch!
Brunch is the best! I like to make all kinds of things: big batches of perfectly scrambled eggs, loaves of cranberry orange bread, spicy migas. It’s all delicious. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
way to much awesomeness about the video and this fancy brunch. and the dog underneath the table in the video, so precious! i love your tips & i totally agree – the menu does not have to be overflowing with all sorts of different things. and food allergies can be worked around with just a little extra work. you guys are the best, i would fancy brunch with you anytime.
Oh my goodness! So gorgeous. The video is so lovely and I like the idea of using chardonnay+sparkling water in a mimosa rather than bubbly. My fav thing to make for brunch ever since I got a waffle iron, is buckwheat waffles.
LOVE this! Look at that fancy brunch you pulled together with such ease. How blessed to have such a talented fun-loving family. Very beautiful photos and video.
oh gosh, when non-vegetarians eat all the vegetarian pizza and the vegetarians are left hungry and staring at the neglected boxes of meat pizza… that feeling is the worst! sounds like you handled your pancake situation much more gracefully than i might have. maybe wine helps? 🙂 cheers!
and to answer the question posed by the giveaway box: my favorite brunch thing to make is definitely, definitely poinsettias (sparkling wine + cranberry cocktail). ahh!
Always breakfast casserole! I love how easy it is to make the night before and stick it in the oven so I can focus on other things. I always bake it in my white le creuset casserole dish and garnish with fresh herbs to dress it up.
Well if it is game day, my husband loves to pick up University of Texas hook ’em donuts to go with my breakfast casserole. Both are a big hit with the football fans!
I love brunch dishes you prepare the night before. We make a delicious spinach strada with croissants and creme brûlée french toast and blueberry french toast that are all made the night before and you just pop in the oven in the morning. Makes entertaining guests in the morning so much easier!
Your brunch looks HEAVENLY. I love your table decor with the plants. So peaceful looking.
My absolute favorite brunch food is granola. I love to sprinkle it on top of oatmeal (even muesli) with some frozen berries. I’m definitely a cold-food kind of breakfast gal.
Your brunch looks like the height of sophistication! Bravo!
I like to make crepes — some with fruit and some with chicken.
Making a huge pot of spiced porridge and putting out a spread of toppings incl. yogurt, nuts, berries, jams, homemade sauces, spices, dried fruits… something for everyone! And – pumpkin oatmeal (or banana) pancakes with walnuts.
My all-time favorite dish to make for brunch is a big tray of granola. Then I assemble a million different mix-ins: fresh and dried fruit (berries, apples, bananas, cranberries, cherries, raisins); toasted nuts; a variety of milks and yogurts; plus some candied ginger and cocoa nibs to add a little kick. Everyone makes it special in their own way and no one leaves hungry or disappointed! Thanks for featuring such an awesome giveaway!
an amazing strata!
I’ve concluded that Pamela’s mix is THE BEST gluten free flour blend I’ve ever had. And those pancakes are definitely making my case! Such a fun brunch!
Veggie Fritata!
Eggs Benedict – if a few people are there. If lots of people, crepes are the way to go!
Brunch is the best! I like to make all kinds of things: big batches of perfectly scrambled eggs, loaves of cranberry orange bread, spicy migas. It’s all delicious. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Mimosas & french toast.
How fun! You make me want to have fancy brunch. Maybe I’ll have a fancy Valentine’s day brunch with those cocktails….and pancakes!
I LOVE that apartment! What great fun to have such a lovely group of people together for one of the best meals of the week.
enjoyed!!!!!love the ideas- your awesome
Salmon croquettes
A great brunch favorite to make is cranberry french toast made with challah bread, simple, yet elegant and always a crowd pleaser.
way to much awesomeness about the video and this fancy brunch. and the dog underneath the table in the video, so precious! i love your tips & i totally agree – the menu does not have to be overflowing with all sorts of different things. and food allergies can be worked around with just a little extra work. you guys are the best, i would fancy brunch with you anytime.
Definitely making waffles for brunch…my favorite any day! Yeast waffles, to be specific. ♥
Eggs Benedict!!
Scones! I love making them!
I like to make veggie quiche.
Orange Biscuits!!! (Grandma’s recipe of course!)
Something savory, like a fritatta.
scrambled eggs and waffles
My favorite thing to make for brunch would be baked french toast!
Oh my goodness! So gorgeous. The video is so lovely and I like the idea of using chardonnay+sparkling water in a mimosa rather than bubbly. My fav thing to make for brunch ever since I got a waffle iron, is buckwheat waffles.
pancakes and french toast!
LOVE this! Look at that fancy brunch you pulled together with such ease. How blessed to have such a talented fun-loving family. Very beautiful photos and video.
Looks beautiful!!
oh gosh, when non-vegetarians eat all the vegetarian pizza and the vegetarians are left hungry and staring at the neglected boxes of meat pizza… that feeling is the worst! sounds like you handled your pancake situation much more gracefully than i might have. maybe wine helps? 🙂 cheers!
and to answer the question posed by the giveaway box: my favorite brunch thing to make is definitely, definitely poinsettias (sparkling wine + cranberry cocktail). ahh!
One of your best posts ever. Just loved the video. You have very talented siblings, lucky you!
I so seriously love this post. LOVE. IT.
Always breakfast casserole! I love how easy it is to make the night before and stick it in the oven so I can focus on other things. I always bake it in my white le creuset casserole dish and garnish with fresh herbs to dress it up.
So beautiful — now I am yearning to host a brunch (a fancy one specifically) this weekend! 🙂 Xo, Alison
http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
I make waffles and a sugnature cocktail.
Such a cute video, especially the bloopers. 🙂 Everything looks fabulous! Love all of these tips!
Well if it is game day, my husband loves to pick up University of Texas hook ’em donuts to go with my breakfast casserole. Both are a big hit with the football fans!
I love brunch dishes you prepare the night before. We make a delicious spinach strada with croissants and creme brûlée french toast and blueberry french toast that are all made the night before and you just pop in the oven in the morning. Makes entertaining guests in the morning so much easier!
cinnamon rolls. they take some effort, but if i have time to make them from scratch, they’re my favorite thing in the world to eat.
Your brunch looks HEAVENLY. I love your table decor with the plants. So peaceful looking.
My absolute favorite brunch food is granola. I love to sprinkle it on top of oatmeal (even muesli) with some frozen berries. I’m definitely a cold-food kind of breakfast gal.
Such a fun video!! I wish they served mimosas instead of coffee here at work…
My favorite thing to make for brunch is strata!
Breakfast tacos are my favorite. They’re super easy and people can assemble the tacos themselves, aka less work for me!
I love making German pancakes! They are so easy & especially delicious with a dusting of powdered sugar & some lemon juice.
Love this! SO cute, Melissa – especially the bloopers at the end – ha 🙂
I love to make Shrimp & Grits for brunch!
nutella stuffed french toast!!
I like to make some kind of coffee cake or rolls, plus a quiche or something else that can be served at room temperature. Plus bloody marys and juice.
This video is so amazing! So jealous of people with video skills. Looks like fun!
My favorite thing to make is any type of breakfast or egg casserole. They are easy to make and are good for feeding crowds.