I am a huge fan of brunch parties! It can be delicious but simple to accommodate a lot of people. Mimosas are a great idea. Lemonade and iced tea. Fruit salads, a simple green salad, different quiches (e.g. vegetarian, meat, crustless for the gluten free people), small muffins and scones, vanilla yogurt and homemade granola (surprisingly easy to make),

Make it dinner buffet.
Grill three different kinds of protein.
Roast three kinds of veggies.
Include few kind of breads and desserts and some drinks.
Relax and enjoy.

I don’t eat ham myself but if you do, get a ham, have little rolls, and mustard, and then some sides (maybe some of the guests can bring dishes). This feels festive and works well. Set all the dinner food out on your dining room table with napkins and small plate s like a buffet. Have a separate table (a side table, or in another room, to set out dessert). Pick another area/table for drinks (could be in the living room). This lets people spread out and circulate. If they are mostly standing they will eat less, more like hors d’oeuvres.

If you go with the dinner option, you could make a couple of beef tenderloins, serve with some buns and horseradish. Sides could be a salad and some roasted vegetables.

I would do the brunch option because I’m social during the day but lose steam in the evening. With dinner, if people wanna stay and hang out I’m gonna get overwhelmed. Brunch if people want to stay into the early afternoon I’ll be good.

Anonymous wrote:I would do dinner. Brunch gives “shower” vibes.

I like the PP’s idea about large ham/turkey slices with rolls.

Since you don’t have a budget, I would also consider getting it catered so you can enjoy it!

I don’t have a budget, because I don’t plan to get it catered Catering will notch this into an expense area I don’t want, and I think I (with some help from other family members) can make this nicer than for what I could spend on via private catering which would be more bare bones.

Thanks for all of the ideas!

-OP

I would do dinner. Brunch gives “shower” vibes.

I like the PP’s idea about large ham/turkey slices with rolls.

Since you don’t have a budget, I would also consider getting it catered so you can enjoy it!

You sound like a nice aunt!
I'd go with a brunch buffet with food and drinks stationed separately as someone suggested. Quiche in a few flavors, mini-bagels and spreads, a nice vegetable dish/ salad, a fruit salad or just nice mixed berries. Granola parfaits in individual cups are nice, and I'd have an assortment of mini sweets. A mimosa bar would be nice in a few different flavors as well.
I'd include a cake for the couple to cut as well.

Sounds like we have a very similar house and setup. Since you don't entertain often I would do brunch. It's more casual and easier to execute, and people expect it to be more informal.

Oh 13:46 again. Assign someone trashcan duty - put a couple of trash bags in the bottom if the trashcan so when you take out the trash, it's easy to set up the next bag.

Oh gosh, DCUM is so weird sometimes. A party for 25 isn't that big a deal.

I think you have to first decide if you want a sit down - you set places and people either choose or are assigned a place to sit. Maybe something more casual - a buffet, people can sit or stand or mingle or nibble as they choose is your goal.

For buffet, set up two areas - one of food, and one for drinks. Set it with napkins, silverware, plates at one end. For drinks, put cups and ice by the drinks. Often we put drinks on a side table, or possibly outside with a cooler.

Brunch is easy - buy or make some quiches - those are easy to have in advance and substantial. Then you could do a couple of breakfast casseroles, a fruit salad, juices, plus muffins and sweets.

Dinner - you could do some large meat option, like a turkey or a roast or ham, slice it up ,and have rolls for sandwiches. Then some appetizers, a cheese plate and a veggie platter, and a dessert table. Lots of other types of options - taco bar, pasta bar (different pastas/sauces), BBQ, etc etc. think through what you think might work and then post her for more specific ideas.

I would highly consider having this professionally catered in home or rent a private room at a restuarant.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a budget?

I’m not thinking in those terms, as I don’t plan to have this catered or hire help or anything like that.

I plan to buy flowers and arrange myself, and other minimal decor. I plan to make a lot of the food, buy some. I envision drinks as beer/wine plus a batched signature drink (probably just mimosas if I do brunch) - this won’t be a big drinking crowd.

Do you have a budget?

I want to host a casual engagement party for my niece. I would expect about 25 people.

My house is about 2000sf - the dining room seats 10, another 4-6 can sit at kitchen table and there are couches/chairs in family and living rooms and an outdoor patio seating area. I think this will provide enough places for people to sit when eating, but please advise if you think otherwise.

I am debating between a brunch and an evening buffett meal. The evening seems more festive but the brunch feels less overwhelming to execute. Thoughts?

I’d love menu suggestions for either plan. My goal is a mix of homemade and purchased items.

Thanks for advice and tips - I am an inexperienced entertainer but dearly love my niece and want to celebrate her and her partner.