Gorgeous Spring Ladies Luncheon & Menu

If you want to host a ladies luncheon for a special occasion or ‘just because’, you’ve come to the right place. Set a beautiful table and serve a great meal perfect for mom groups, or your besties.

Spring entertaining is unique in that it’s a time to incorporate soft colors, lots of floral details, and the menu begins to take a turn. We typically say goodbye to the soup bar, and hello to lighter fare like salads and chicken dishes.

What Food To Serve

My game plan is always the same – prepare some things from scratch, and purchase others. This way you’re not exhausted by the time the first guest arrives. Here are some other rules I follow:

• Make main course items that feed a crowd. That can include entrees such as casseroles or chicken quiche which you prep ahead. Salads work well.
• Add a vegetarian option if you need to. Easy goat cheese & roasted red pepper quiche is delicious, or a variation of a main dish salad that doesn’t have the meat added.
• Balance heartier dishes with lighter dishes. If your main dish is a casserole or pasta, serve lighter sides like simple vegetables. If your main item is lighter, then serve heartier sides.
• Make dessert easy and purchase sweets from the bakery or frozen section. Serve an array of mini desserts so guests have options.

Menu 

One of my favorite things about planning a party is planning the menu. I’m very methodical when it comes to creating a well rounded meal.

Appetizer Course

• These are the most delicious deviled eggs with bacon that I’ve ever had. It’s my go-to recipe and you can save time by purchasing hard boiled and peeled eggs at the grocery store.
• Another light and seasonal hors d’oeuvre is cucumber cups with salmon mousse.
• Baked brie phyllo cups are another delicious finger food appetizer for a luncheon.

Main Dish

A ladies luncheon typically includes a light entrée such as chicken or even tea sandwiches. Tea sandwiches are not just for tea parties!

• Here I’ve got tea sandwiches with 3 filling recipes that are great for a luncheon menu. Another option is to serve these sesame chicken salad in puff pastry cups.
• Or this Thai chicken salad with peanut dressing has amazing flavors and you can make it ahead. 
• But if you want to make one easy dish then this Thai noodles with shrimp recipe is SO good and full of flavor.
• For a vegetarian dish, this Mediterranean chickpea salad is loaded with flavor.

Side Dish

The side items for a ladies luncheon should be light and easy to eat.

• Nothing says spring like a platter of fresh fruit. It’s so pretty you may want to serve it in the center of the table. Add sliced cantaloupe, whole berries, and orange slices.
• This roasted grape salad has become a favorite among party guests, and the roasted grapes are usually a surprise addition.
• A marinated green bean salad is a great make-ahead recipe so it saves time on party day. An alternate choice is Asian-inspired marinated asparagus.
• For a more indulgent side dish, don’t overlook the best cheese grits casserole! They taste great but they don’t leave you feeling full.

Dessert

Dessert is always a good item to purchase and you can dress up the presentation with tiny flowers or fresh herbs. If using flowers to decorate with, make sure they are edible and pesticide free. 

Find mini desserts like these chocolate mousse bites in most freezer sections. These look cute on the table because they’re shaped like a flower and perfect for spring parties! Garnish with bay leaves and pansies to highlight the floral shape.

• If you like to make desserts, these mini cheesecakes are divine, and you can make them ahead and freeze for later. The lemon and lime cheesecakes are equally amazing!
• Or you can serve easy lemon tartlets. They’re bite-size and no-bake so they’re ideal for a luncheon that you prep ahead.
• Show off fresh berries with mini pavlovas. Another make-ahead treat that’s indulgent and satisfying.

PARTY TIP: Place mini desserts on the table so guests can keep their seat as they help themselves. Put them on a pedestal to add height to the table.

Spring Tablescape

A gorgeous spring tablescape will help set the scene for your party. Here are some tips.

Instead of using an array of pastel colors like pink or yellow, why not use a combination of blue and purple? It’s a rather unexpected combo but it looks beautiful together. 

Lay a table topper for a foundation of color. It can be fabric right off the bolt and no sewing required. A muted purple and white pattern instantly adds color to a white tablecloth.

Layer place settings with a clean white charger, classic blue patterned dinner plates, and small white dessert plates. For the blue plates you can use your grandmothers classic blue willow or find something new and modern at the home store.

Complete the place setting with colorful glassware. Purple glasses coordinate with the table cover and add more color.

Add a floral centerpiece with a mix of blue hydrangeas and white roses that complement the blue plates.

Table Favors For The Ladies

Add a cute party favor to finish off each place setting and add more detail to the tablescape. Table favors are such a great way to add creativity in your table setting.

• Use mini jars of honey and jam. You can write guests’ names directly on the jar using glass markers. This way they act as a place card as well as a party favor.
• Place a small glass dome over each jar in order to add even more height and impact to the overall look of the tablescape. 

PARTY TIP: If you don’t have enough glass domes, use a small stemless wine glass turned upside down. The shape is very similar to the domes so it will blend right in.

• Remember that guest party favors don’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Try to keep them in theme with the occasion and customize them with name tags or glass markers if you can.

Now that you have an entire party plan for a spring ladies luncheon, you can start sending those invitations!

When To Host

There are so many themes and occasions to host a girls only lunch party. And it’s fun to mix and match decorating ideas and menus.

• Host a lovely party outside with these ideas for a garden party theme.
• This bridesmaid luncheon is beautiful and has tons of ideas for a modern day tea party vibe.
• These gorgeous ladies get-together ideas will make you swoon!
• A ladies luncheon is perfect for a spring baby shower or a sip and see, too.
• Celebrate with your mom friends or your mother with a mothers day brunch.