Garden-Inspired Buffet Brunch

Host a brunch with a laid-back atmosphere by serving guests from a buffet table. Come rain or shine, evoke the feeling of a beautiful day with colors, textures and shapes taken from the outdoors.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Have a Plan

In the event of not-so-great weather, create one plan that works well for both for indoor and outdoor gatherings. Consider mixing interior furniture pieces which may work well outside with patio or garden furniture that may fit inside the house.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create Zones

To determine the proper flow and setup for a successful buffet brunch, create zones with painter's tape. Measure each area of your space, marking off specific zones with tape pressed firmly onto the floor. Next, ensure proper traffic flow by placing furniture inside parameters of tape. If flow is unsuccessful, remove painter's tape and reposition placement of each zone.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Do-It-Yourself Buffet

No buffet? No problem. Create a custom serving station for your brunch with two sawhorses, one piece of plywood and a graphic table skirt. Pick up a piece of plywood precut to your specific needs from the home improvement store. Once sawhorses are in place, lay plywood on top, then add skirt, ensuring it's flush with the floor. Place any boxes or containers underneath for concealed storage.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Picnic-Inspired Vessels

Bring an outdoor picnic feeling to your buffet with serving vessels. Display food, napkins and silverware in woven baskets, apple baskets and gardening pots mixed with wooden bowls and rustic serving platters.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Simple Drinkware

Serve drinks in large mason jars garnished with rims of sugar and lime wheels.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Garden Pot Place Cards

Be unexpected. Identify seating assignments with place cards staked atop tiny pots of potted moss. These can also serve double duty, acting as party favors for guests.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Garden-Inspired Table

Create a dining space with a green and white color scheme. Start with a toile table cloth depicting natural, outdoor scenery, and add layers of texture with woven grass place mats and rustic vessels for floral arrangements.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Rustic Centerpiece

Incorporate garden statuaries into your tablescape as centerpieces. Bring in crisp pops of white with ceramic dishes, metal garden chairs and flowers.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Water Can Vases

Bring the actual act of gardening to each table by arranging white tulips in weathered watering cans, then placing in the center. Tulips are often the best choice, because they're affordable and evoke an elegant, garden feeling.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Faux It

If throwing your party indoors or on the deck, introduce green on the floor with a precut piece of faux turf used as an area rug. Faux turf can be purchased at home improvement stores or rented from event companies. Secure the end with double-sided tape to keep it in place during the party.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Mix-and-Match Seating

Create an unexpected seating arrangement by mixing indoor and outdoor chairs. Upholstered indoor armchairs work best at each end of the table while weathered garden chairs can be placed on each side.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Designer Detail

Add a designer touch to basic burlap with a band of decorative trim adorned to the bottom — resulting in a one-of-a-kind tablecloth. Trim can be attached quickly and easily using a hot glue gun and glue sticks.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Picnic-Style Kids' Table

Create a separate dining space for little ones by draping a coffee table with a burlap table cloth; however, raw burlap will work as well. Instead of chairs, lay out floor pillows and cushions for kids to both lounge and brunch on.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Activities for Kids

Add an interactive table runner down the center with a roll of white craft paper cut to size for coloring and drawing. Place crayons inside small tin flower pots.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Playful Cupcake Presentation

Present edible treats to children in a whimsical way. Tint cupcake frosting to your buffet's palette with food coloring, and arrange cupcakes on the table as something graphic and recognizable, such as a caterpillar. Add decorative eyes with icing; create antennae and legs with pipe cleaners.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Mason Jar Pudding

Serve pistachio pudding in small mason jars with whipped cream added to the top. Stick a spoon in each jar before placing it on your buffet table.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Strawberry Treat

Another option is to serve strawberry shortcake in small mason jars. Top each concoction with a strawberry and whipped cream.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Coffee Cake-Style Apple Pie

Add good old American flair to your favorite coffee cake recipe with apple and/or blueberry pie presentation. Slice apples, and fan each slice out along top. Add a grouping of blueberries in the center, and then drizzle with icing.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Garden-Inspired Buffet Brunch

Related To:

Shop This Look

Have a Plan

Create Zones

Do-It-Yourself Buffet

Picnic-Inspired Vessels

Simple Drinkware

Garden Pot Place Cards

Garden-Inspired Table

Rustic Centerpiece

Water Can Vases

Faux It

Mix-and-Match Seating

Designer Detail

Picnic-Style Kids' Table

Activities for Kids

Playful Cupcake Presentation

Mason Jar Pudding

Strawberry Treat

Coffee Cake-Style Apple Pie

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