Hello, spring!

Event Design and Written by Ginni Jones | Photography by Annabella Charles Photography

After what seems like quite the long winter sheltered indoors, spring is finally here! And there’s no better way to celebrate than to invite all your loved ones over for a fun spring brunch. 

Set the Table

    It was about time to bring some bright colors to the table, so as always, I turned to my favorite ladies at Social to get the most beautiful pieces in order to create the perfect tablescape for this brunch. I already owned a few pieces I wanted to mix in with my new goodies from Social. I love the blue wine glasses, hand blown in Poland, from Estelle Colored Glass. Estelle has every color imaginable and they are the perfect “gems” for a festive table. I found the white oblong platters on a recent trip to Nashville. They reminded me of Easter eggs, perfect to display appetizers.

For china, I picked out some gorgeous pieces from the vast Herend collection available at Social. We paired the Princess Victoria dinner plate with the Fishscale salad plate in light blue and the combination turned out stunning. Layered below was a textured bronze charger also from Social. For napkins, we kept it simple with a white linen fabric piped with a scallop edged. And lastly, I couldn't leave without these exquisite glass and gold dragonfly salt and pepper shakers. Yes, they are probably the smallest detail, but they are the perfect mix of modern and vintage that I was looking for as inspiration for this spring tablescape! 

What’s for Brunch?

    Picking out the menu is always one of my favorite parts of hosting. I really wanted to highlight the season, so I tried to incorporate as much spring produce as possible. Also, since the menu featured brunch, I wanted to keep the food light and fresh. I love mixing mini bite snacks and platters, so I made two crostinis and a colorful crudite platter. The spring pea crostini, perfectly toasted bread layered with pea and basil pesto, fresh burrata cheese and prosciutto, was definitely a crowd favorite. The second crostini was an edamame and radish version, made with an edamame, mint and ricotta cheese—so fun and easy to create! Simply chop up fresh veggies like carrots, cucumbers, broccolini, spring peas and radishes and layer them around dips. Here I used a spicy avocado hummus and a tomato basil hummus. Don’t forget to add fresh pita slices (they’re even better toasted). 

The Flowers

You can’t welcome spring without fresh flowers! Coral and orange ranunculus paired together are always stunning. Add a bit of wax flower and tuck them into glass mini globe vases, and they add the perfect pop of color scattered around the table.

Create Your Own

 I can’t take all the credit for creating this fun and seasonal tablescape; I will be the first to admit I learned everything from my mom! She has been entertaining ever since I can remember. Whether it was a simple birthday dinner with our immediate family or our annual Christmas Eve Soups & Sips party for a crowd, she hosts every holiday with style and grace.

Here's what I have picked up from Lili Jones over the years: 

First, keep it simple. Don’t try to make something extravagant and then get frustrated when something doesn’t turn out exactly the way you wanted it. It’s important to not stress yourself out; you want to be present at your gathering and enjoy the time with your loved ones! 

Two, never forget to add something fresh! Whether it’s fresh flowers on the table or greenery from the yard placed in a vase—or even springs of herbs tucked under food on a platter—you always need a fresh element. 

Thirdly, my mom is always reminding me to use what I have. I am constantly looking for new decor, but I’ve learned to mix with what I have before I buy new. If you do buy more, shop locally.

And lastly, don’t forget the music. For our family, it is most likely Dave Matthews playing (quite loudly) over the speakers around the house. And we can’t forget how when we all gather in the kitchen and grab hands to pray; without fail, every time she sings “The more we are together, together, together…”. Whatever you prefer, just don’t forget the music!