Girls Just Wanna Have Brunch: How to Host a Bougie At-Home Brunch Party

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There’s something magical about sipping mimosas in your comfiest lounge wear or floral maxi dress while surrounded by your favorite friends, soft music floating in the background, and the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Brunch is more than a meal, it’s a whole vibe, a celebration of friendship and enjoying a morning together.

Hosting a bougie at-home brunch party might sound a little extra, but I promise, it doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ve done it plenty of times, from bridal shower brunches to Sunday fundays with my college besties, and I’ve picked up a few go-to ideas to help you plan the ultimate cozy mid-morning get-together.

So if you’re dreaming of French press coffee, Instagram-worthy spreads, and laughter over waffles, this one’s for you.

A beautifully arranged brunch table with fresh flowers, colorful plates of food, and mimosas, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Step One: Set the Mood

When I think of a bougie brunch, I picture a dreamy tablescape, soft background music, and good lighting, preferably natural sunshine coming through the windows. You don’t need a professional decorator to pull this off. Here’s how I do it:

Tablescape Inspo

You can keep it casual or go full-on Pinterest glam, either way, small touches make a big impact.

Use real linens (or a cute runner). I thrift mine or get them off Amazon for under $20.
Fancy brunch plates and fun mugs. Bonus points if they’re vintage or have florals.
Fresh flowers in a mason jar or tiny bud vases down the center of the table. Trader Joe’s has the best affordable blooms.
Name cards I love using these reusable chalkboard name tags. They also work great for labeling food too. Or you can make some using Canva and print them on cardstock.
Candles. Yes, even in the morning. Go for vanilla or citrusy scents to complement the food.

Last spring, I hosted a brunch birthday for my friend Lauren and used mini prosecco bottles as flower vases and tiny clip-on chalkboard signs for the menu. Everyone was obsessed, and I spent less than $30.

Three glasses of mimosas with strawberries on the rim, accompanied by a wooden platter of crackers topped with cream cheese and jam, with various baked goods in the background.

Step Two: Build the Bougie Brunch Menu

This is where I love to shine. I love food, and brunch gives you that perfect sweet-and-savory combo. You don’t have to cook everything from scratch (unless you want to), but pick a few “hero” dishes that’ll wow your guests.

A beautifully arranged brunch spread on a table featuring various dishes, including quiche, cinnamon rolls, sausages, crackers with cheese, and fresh fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe.

My Go-To Bougie Brunch Menu

Sweet:

Overnight French Toast Bake
I make mine with brioche, a cinnamon-vanilla custard, and top with powdered sugar and fresh berries. Prep the night before, bake the morning of.
Mini Yogurt Parfaits
In tiny glasses or mini mason jars: Greek yogurt, honey, granola, and fruit. Done.
Glazed Croissants or Doughnuts
I’m not above buying these from the bakery section and pretending I made them. Also, check out these cute doughnut displays.
OR do a fun Pastry Platter
I grab an assortment of croissants, danishes, and chocolate-filled pastries from my favorite local bakery and arrange them on a pretty tray with fresh berries or citrus slices. Instant luxury. I love using this three tier serving tray for every party I have.

Savory:

Bagel Board
Think charcuterie but make it brunch: mini bagels, whipped cream cheese, smoked salmon, cucumbers, capers, red onion, sliced tomato, and fresh dill. I add a few flavored schmears, like honey walnut or roasted veggie, and let the girls build their dream bagel bites. It’s interactive and feels luxe without cooking a thing.
Egg Frittata with Spinach, Tomato, and Goat Cheese
This looks fancy but is basically a baked omelet. Slice it like pizza and serve warm or room temp. Can do it homemade or buy some frozen premade frittatas.
Thyme-Roasted Potatoes
Tossed in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs. These are always the first thing to go!

Want a shortcut? Trader Joe’s frozen quiche and pre-made hash brown patties have saved me many times. Dress them up with fresh herbs and no one will know.

A beautifully arranged brunch spread featuring cinnamon rolls, mini quiches, sausage links, baked goods, and fresh fruit, including blueberries and strawberries, set on a colorful tablecloth.

Step Three: The Mimosa Bar (Let’s be real: this is why we brunch.)

A DIY mimosa bar is easy to set up, totally photogenic, and gives everyone the freedom to mix their own bubbly concoctions.

What You’ll Need:

Sparkling Wine: Prosecco is my fave, affordable, crisp, and not too sweet.
Juice Options: Go beyond OJ. I always offer:
- Fresh orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Grapefruit juice
- Mango juice
Garnishes: This is where it gets fun:
- Fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries)
- Orange slices
- Mint leaves
Cute Glassware: Champagne flutes, coupes, or even mason jars.

I usually set everything on a tray with little handwritten labels for each juice and garnish. At one brunch, my friend Becky made her own juice blend (OJ + mango + pineapple), and it became a hit, we dubbed it “Becky’s Sunrise” and now it’s a staple.

A festive brunch setup featuring a metal bucket filled with sparkling wine bottles and a clear container with various juices on a colorful tablecloth.

Step Four: Create the Perfect Playlist

Music sets the tone. I like something upbeat but chill, songs you can talk over but also sway to if the mood hits.

Sample Playlist: “Girls Just Wanna Have Brunch and Vibes”

“Sunday Morning” – Maroon 5
“Put Your Records On” – Corinne Bailey Rae
“Golden” – Harry Styles
“Cinnamon Girl” – Lana Del Rey
“Banana Pancakes” – Jack Johnson
“Valerie” – Amy Winehouse
“Levitating” – Dua Lipa
“Cruel Summer” – Taylor Swift
“Peaches” – Justin Bieber
“Good as Hell” – Lizzo

I usually play my mix through a Bluetooth speaker on low volume so conversation still flows.

Step Five: Make It Cozy (and Cute)

The key to an unforgettable brunch party? It feels relaxed and special. Don’t worry about being perfect, it’s all about creating an experience.

Cozy Touches:

Put out extra throws or pillows if you’re dining outside.
Have a signature coffee welcome drink or homemade pastry
Print out a mini menu or welcome sign (“Welcome to Brunch Club!”).
Have a Polaroid camera or selfie station for photos.

At one of my fall brunches, I set up a “Pumpkin Spice Everything” corner with PSL coffee, a cinnamon pumpkin coffee cake, and mini pumpkin muffins. Everyone loved it!

A beautifully arranged brunch table featuring fresh flowers, mimosas, and an assortment of dishes including pastries, fruits, and savory items.

Hosting Without the Stress

Hosting can be overwhelming if you let it. Here’s what I always remind myself:

Prep ahead. Bake the night before, chop ingredients, and set the table in advance.
Keep it simple. A relaxed host = a good time for everyone.
Ask for help. Guests want to bring something, juice, pastries, flowers, or even a playlist rec.
Embrace imperfection and have fun. Forgot the whipped cream? No one cares. The memories are in the laughter, not the garnish.

One time, I accidentally burned the first batch of potatoes, and we all ended up scraping the crispy bits straight from the pan while drinking mimosas. We called them “brunch chips.” It was hilarious and totally on-brand.

A beautifully arranged brunch spread featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, pastries, and mini desserts.

Party Favors (Optional, but Fun!)

I love a little takeaway, it’s the cherry on top.

Here are some ideas:

Mini jars of jam or honey
Cute to-go boxes for leftover pastries
A printed recipe card from the brunch menu
A tiny bottle of prosecco with a tag that says “Sip, Sip, Hooray!”

Wrap It Up

Hosting a bougie at-home brunch doesn’t have to be fancy or formal, it just has to feel thoughtful and fun. A lovely girls day brunch is a reminder that we deserve these slow, joy-filled mornings with our favorite people.

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, catching up after a crazy workweek, or just craving mimosas and French toast, you can make your space magical.

A close-up of a brunch table featuring plates of food, mimosas, and a wooden table setting, with hands reaching for the dishes.

If you’re planning your own brunch party, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment with your go-to brunch dish or favorite mimosa mix.

With love,

Bri and Cat

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