South Africa Event Planning

Brunches are, as their name implies, a combination of breakfast and lunch, and are usually held at about 10h00 or 11h00. They can be formal or informal and suit a wide variety of event types, ranging from weddings to work functions and everything in-between. It is especially ideal if there is going to be a mixture of young and old men and women at the event, as a brunch is generally shorter than a full sit-down dinner and more dynamic (particularly relevant to children).

One of the main advantages to coordinating and hosting a brunch is that any type of food is suitable for the occasion. A combination of styles and flavours can be served to cater to the preferences and taste buds of a variety of guests. Some popular brunch menu items include:

• Cold meats
• Fruit salad or smoothies
• Muffins
• Pancakes
• Quiches
• Barbecue items
• Cakes and petit fours

Although brunches are a great way to celebrate big events, they are also frequently held as a post-event get-together. For example, after a wedding, the bridal couple may leave straight away to go on their honeymoon. The next day, family and friends of the couple may choose to gather once more for a brunch before going their separate ways.

Creating a theme around your brunch will make it extra special. A theme will help to guide you in terms of colours, menu ideas and any décor you choose to include. It will also get your guests excited and involved, particularly if they have to dress according to the theme. Some theme ideas include colours, flavours (e.g. creating an entire menu and colour theme around bananas), food types (e.g. savoury and sweet pancakes), spring time, and so on.

Some more tips for your brunch include:

• If the weather permits, opt for an outdoor venue so that guests can enjoy the mid-morning sunshine (this is often the most pleasant time of day in terms of temperature, wind, and so on).
• If there are to be children at your event, consider a picnic or barbecue brunch so that these ones can play while their parents relax nearby.
• Prepare all dishes so that they are easy to serve. So, pre-slice pies and cakes, have plenty of spoons and knives available and do not clutter the table so that certain dishes are difficult to access.
• Display the various dishes in innovative ways if you are cramped for space. Try using an old ladder against the wall as a tiered food display or scatter empty crates and punnets around the venue as tables, for example.
• Cater to vegetarians.
• Serve a combination of sweet and savoury dishes.
• Brunches are sit-down affairs, not cocktail parties. So, make sure that your guests can sit and eat at comfortable tables with plenty of room.

Photo Credit: Daniela Zondagh