How to Host a Valentine Brunch for Your Girlfriends

Happy Valentine’s Day. Doesn’t a Valentine’s Day brunch sound like so much fun? Of course, it does. But why and how to host a Valentine’s brunch for your girlfriends? I have the perfect guide for you.

First the why.

Let’s admit it. We love our girlfriends. We love to laugh with each other, tell stories, share the latest scoop about a new dress, a new store, movies, books, recipes, babies, grandbabies, new drapes, moving, our homes, our families.

The list of what we can talk to our girlfriends about is endless. So in case you want to treat your gal pals, I’ll show you how to host a Valentine brunch for them.

We have girlfriends from high school, college, church, camp, sorority sisters. Women we met at the playground or in the carpool line when our kids were little that become lifelong friends. Women we met in PTA or Junior League or other charity organizations. Friends come from anywhere, at any time, in all shapes, sizes, and colors. You can’t have too many girlfriends.

Valentine's Day brunch collage

In another week, I’ll be hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner for my favorite group of girlfriends – ones that I have known for years through my younger daughter’s pre-school and elementary school days. A few others joined over the years and we are now a group of eight.

Although this year’s party will be a dinner, not a brunch, many of the how-to’s are the same.

This Valentine’s Brunch is from a few years ago, but it was so awesome that as my Valentine treat to you, I wanted to share it again. 

I love to host lunches/brunches/dinners for my girlfriends, ones new and old, from all diverse places. I enjoy bringing people together who may not know not each other and some who do. Let my friends meet new friends.

Valentine’s is not just a time to express our affection for our significant other. It’s a perfect time to tell your girlfriends how much you appreciate their friendship, their laughter, their presence, their support.

So you’re my girlfriends, right? This Valentine brunch was such a success that I have to share with you how to host a Valentine brunch for your girlfriends.

Valentine’s Brunch for Your Girlfriends – Make a Plan

I think any successful party has pretty decorations and flowers, great food and drinks, and a relaxed host and hostess enjoying their own party. But the most important thing is great friends.

Valentine Decorations and Flowers

Let your guests know that they are at the right place for a Valentine’s Party. Place a pretty Valentine’s or spring wreath on your front door.

A while back, I made this Valentine’s door hanger with a wood square, cardstock, and faux flowers (all from Joann) to greet my guests. I wanted them to know this was a special occasion.

square frame with pink and gold insert surrounded by faux pink flowers

This is a more recent Valentine’s wreath that will be on display at the upcoming Valentine’s dinner.

pink Valentine wreath made with rabbit tail grass, ribbon and paper hearts

I don’t know a girl who doesn’t love flowers. My color scheme for this Valentine’s brunch was pink (surprised, anyone?) and gold so I had flowers on the living room coffee table, on the mantle, and in the dining room.

I bought the white roses at Sam’s and the cyclamen and pink tulips at my local grocery store.

white roses and pink tulips in white vase

The cyclamen are in the galvanized container that I bought in Atlanta a few summers ago and brought home packed in my extra suitcase. Then I added a little Valentine banner that I made. If you missed the new Valentine’s garlands that I have made, take a look here:

flowers and heart banner on mantel

I hung hearts and faux flowers from the chandelier in the dining room.

pink paper flowers and hearts hanging from chandelier

For the dining room table, I placed pink roses in three rose bowls in the center of the table. “Love” sprinkles add a bit of color and festivity to the table.

3 glass bowls of pink roses

As placemats, I used cute Valentine scrapbook paper. I rounded the corners for a softer look. Pairing our Eternal by Lenox china and Gorham Buttercup sterling silver with mason jars for tea or water is a fun contrast of formal with casual.

The “napkins” are actually guest towels from Swoozies. I loved the pattern of gold and pink hearts. I used the same pattern for cocktail napkins. These sweet pink heart napkins would also be awesome.

pink hearts on paper plate mats

On the chest in the dining room, I made a drink station for tea and water. The plates are for dessert. Another rose bowl of pink roses and extra pink-and-white striped straws add more color.

pitcher of tea and silver water pitcher with vase of pink roses

Drink of the Day

Always greet your girlfriends (or any guest) with a special drink: for the brunch, I made Pink Lemonade Vodka (You can purchase Pink Lemonade Vodka at the liqueur store or online.) topped with Pink Champagne. Make sure you serve it in a pretty glass.

I used our basic World Market and Ikea Champagne glasses but made them festive by adding heart stickers. (Here’s how to make the heart stickers.) I placed them on my mother’s silver tea and coffee tray.

champagne flutes on silver tray with bottle of pink sparkling wine

TIP: We always keep champagne/prosecco and martini glasses in the freezer in our garage fridge. You do have to let the glasses lose their “coldness” before putting on the stickers. I did this a day ahead and just put them back in the freezer.

Planning Your Menu

It’s always best to plan a menu that can be made ahead – no last minute preparation that keeps you from enjoy time with your guests.

I wanted a menu that I could prepare mostly ahead of time with minimal put together the morning of the party.

Valentine’s Brunch Prep Schedule

Anytime, up to a week before your Valentine brunch, set your table. That way you can enjoy it before your guests arrive.

2 – 3 Days before the Brunch

  • Shop for flowers and food.
  • Make flower arrangements or have the florist do it.
  • Mise place all your recipes.
  • Cut bread into heart shapes for French toast. You could do this a day ahead and wrap in foil.
  • Get out serving platters and serving pieces.

1 Day before the Brunch ~ Here was My Schedule

  • Make the Strawberry Cookies and place them in an airtight container.
  • Make the Red Velvet Cupcakes and place them in an airtight container.
  • Make the frosting for the cupcakes, put in a piping bag and place in the fridge.
  • Wash, cut and store all the fruit in the fridge.
  • Assemble the main dish (a crustless quiche), cover with foil and place in the fridge.
  • Combine the pink lemonade and vodka in a small pitcher and place in the fridge.
  • Make the strawberry butter and put it in the fridge.

Day of the Brunch

  • Preheat the ovens, one for quiche, one for the bacon.
  • Combine wet ingredients for French toast.
  • Cut package of bacon in half crosswise, rub slices with brown sugar, and place on foil-lined sheet pan with rack. Set aside on the kitchen counter.
  • Arrange fruit on serving platter. If you have room in the fridge, you could do this a day ahead and cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  • Melt white chocolate in microwave and assemble marshmallow straws. Place in the prepared display. This could be done a day ahead.
  • Frost the cupcakes. You could do this a day ahead.
  • Fill pitchers with water and iced tea (purchased at McAlister’s – I love their tea and they make it better and cheaper than I can. You buy it in 1-gallon containers for less than $5.00).

The party started at 11:00 and I planned to serve brunch about 11:45.

I took the quiche out of the refrigerator at 9:30, let it sit for an hour and put it in the preheated oven at 10:30.

I also took my frosting out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. Piping the frosting on the cupcakes took just a few minutes. Then I arranged the desserts on the bar cart in the dining room.

pink and red desserts on table

By 10:15, I was dressed except for lipstick (always a last-minute thing with me.) The last thing I did was cook the heart-shaped French toasts in a large non-stick skillet, place them on a foil-lined sheet pan and set them aside.

Everything was ready except baking the bacon in the oven (always my go~to method, especially for company), warming the French toast – and opening the champagne. We actually used Pink Prosecco.

As everyone arrived, I offered the drink of the day. This group of girlfriends immediately got into the spirit of the party and I didn’t have to do anything but have a good time.  

At 11:30 I put the bacon in the top oven, took out the quiche, turned off the lower oven and placed the sheet pan with the French toast in the oven to warm.

Everyone made a plate, we sat down in the dining room. I said grace, we had a toast to celebrate friendship and enjoyed a delicious meal, laughing and sharing stories (what is shared at brunch, stays at brunch.).

A couple of girls helped clear the brunch plates as I made a dessert plate for everyone. I think the marshmallows were the favorite.

Recipes for Valentine’s Day Brunch

I wouldn’t change a thing about the party except this: I forgot to take a single picture. I had great plans for photos of toasting and clinking glasses and laughing and hugs. But I was having so much fun, I forgot. I promise to do better next time.

I had so much fun planning, preparing for, and hosting this girlfriend party that I’m going to do it again.

I hope that my suggestions for decorations and drinks and menu showed you how to host a special Valentine brunch for your girlfriends.

Another of my favorite Valentine’s parties was the Valentine’s Day Romantic Brunch for Two that I made for Sweet Shark.

And get my latest collection of pink and delicious Valentine’s Day desserts.

It’s not too late to invite a few girlfriends over for a Valentine’s Brunch this year, so be sure to PIN this post for your next party.

Check out these Pinterest Boards (and follow them!) for more Valentine’s Day ideas:

pink PIN it button

Valentine's Day brunch graphic

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my sweet friends. Thank you for your comments and for sharing your own ideas.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day with whomever you celebrate.

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26 Comments

  1. Linda Duncan says:

    Loved you party ideas for Galentines.

  2. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says:

    Carol, I really enjoyed this post! You have so many wonderful ideas and your tablescape, food and dessert table are so pretty. Thanks, too, for all the recipes. I am definitely going to use all your suggestions next year when I have friends over on Valentine’s.

    So thoughtful of you to share this with us! Always enjoy your posts! Have a wonderful week-end.

    1. Mary~Ann, thank you, as always, for your sweet comments. So glad that you liked everything. And yes, absolutely have a party for friends next year.

    2. Where can I find the recipes? I can’t seem to find the link.

      1. JaAnna thank you for reading that post and asking about the recipes. The purpose of that post (which was written years ago) was to provide a how-to guide to host a Valentine’s Brunch, so I didn’t include recipes. But you’ve given me a great idea to include them this year. I do have a post for the best Red Velvet Cake, which you can use for the cupcakes. Here’s the link (Please subscribe so you’ll know when new posts are published.): https://blueskyathome.com/best-red-velvet-cake/ Hope this helps, for now.

  3. Rebecca Payne says:

    That’s my kind of brunch!

  4. What a great party, and party planner, Carol! Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering this week! Hope to see you again on Tuesday!

  5. I love the pink and white flowers and cyclamen is always a winner in the dark months of winter. Pinned and shared

  6. Everything looked absolutely gorgeous! I especially loved your glasses with the hearts. Just beautiful!!! TFS

  7. This is such a beautiful idea, and the women in your life would really appreciate this. I hope it becomes a new trend. Pinning and sharing.

    1. Leanna, thank you so much for sharing. I really appreciate that. Parties and friends definitely go together.

  8. Carol, do you mind sharing where you found the container that holds the marshmallow pops? This is the second time I’ve seen it today and I’d love to find one.

  9. Marilyn the nurse says:

    What a wonderful brunch. Such great ideas. I have been thinking of having one for Valentines day and you have convinced me. Thank you so much!!!!!

    1. Marilyn, thank you for visiting Bluesky at Home and commenting. I hope it’s imspired you to host a party. It’s about the people first.

  10. Carol, Your brunch looks beautiful and delicious. I can hear the laughter and feel the camaraderie.

    Thanks for all the prep and scheduling tips as well as decorating tutorials. Those pink roses are gorgeous in your lovely rose bowls.

    I enjoyed your girlfriend brunch. Your guests were thrilled I’m sure.

    1. Bonnie, I’m so glad you liked the post and the suggestions. I love hosting parties so any tips I find useful, I love to share.

  11. You pulled out all the stops and what a way to make your girlfriends feel extra special. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.

  12. Carol,
    A Valentine gala perfect for girlfriends… I know you all have a wonderful laughing and talking while you enjoyed your beautiful decor and delicious menu. Love everything… and immediately recognized your special wreath on your front door, a perfect welcome.

    Judith

    1. We did have a great time ~ the Prosecco helped!

  13. Carol, I love every word and photo in this delightful post! So pretty and your step-by-step instructions make it a no-fail event! Great idea on the placemats and marshmallow straws and I’m such a sucker for roses, so that was just lovely (and divinely low for easy conversation!) Four star! Happy Valentine’s Day!

    1. Jeanie, thank you so much. It is so much fun to plan and host a party and then think about how much fun you had after it’s over.

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