Bridesmaid Luncheon Themes

The bridesmaid luncheon is a traditional way to thank your bridesmaids for their hard work.

If you're planning a bridesmaid luncheon, it's important to choose a theme that not only works for you but also appeals to your bridesmaids. Consider a style that they would enjoy, whether it's casual or formal, and, of course, the types of food they would prefer to eat. Choose decorations that accentuate the theme, and end the luncheon by giving a gift to your bridesmaids.

Tea Party

Begin a tea party luncheon with elegant appetizers such as grilled shrimp on small skewers and mini Parmesan scones topped with jalapeno pepper jelly. Offer your bridesmaids a variety of tea sandwiches for the main course. Include traditional ones, such as cucumber or salmon, along with more modern twists on the tea sandwich, such as tortilla roll-ups with Brie and cranberry, and mini bagels with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Finish with tiny versions of desserts like bite-size cherry cheesecakes, mini cupcakes and Empire cookies. Decorate the table with elegant pastel colors and serve the food on fine china. Use real linens and crystal, and style a simple centerpiece of roses that complement your color scheme.

Spa Luncheon

A spa luncheon for your bridesmaids should be light yet satisfying. Start with a salad -- spinach with oranges and almonds with a sweet and sour vinaigrette or a simple mixed greens with a top-quality balsamic vinaigrette. Choose a main course that features in-season local produce along with fresh grilled fish or chicken. End the meal with a fresh fruit salad, chocolate mousse or a warm, comforting dessert like apple crisp. Use fresh, natural decorations, such as pure white linens and china, and a series of small bamboo plants as your centerpiece.

Destination Luncheon

If your bridesmaids all love a certain type of food, or if you are planning a destination wedding or honeymoon, choose food from the locale that fits the bill. Serve antipasti, pasta or pizza and gelato for an Italian theme, quesadillas, tacos and dessert enchiladas for a Mexican luncheon, or seafood salad, jerk chicken and fresh tropical fruits for a tropical menu. Add wines, cocktails or mocktails that complement the food, and end the meal with the coffee or tea that is popular at the locale you've chosen. Choose a platter of tropical fruit or a brilliant display of flowers for a Caribbean centerpiece. Decorations should echo your destination theme, such as bright tropical colors in the dishes and napkins for a tropical theme.

Hors D'oeuvres

Offer something a little different to your bridesmaids. Instead of a formal sit-down lunch, serve a variety of hors d'oeuvres to make up a meal, one bite at a time. Lightly dress mixed greens with a simple vinaigrette and place them in mini phyllo cups for a first course. Warm up spinach and cheese phyllo triangles for something more substantial. Add other treats such as meatballs and bites of mozarella cheese, basil and tomato on small skewers. Mini quiches and quesadillas can complete the main course offerings. End the meal with a selection of cookies, bars and mini tarts, along with coffee and tea. Keep the decorations simple and elegant to go with this theme, such as black and white linens on the table, and a mixture of pure white flowers for the centerpiece.

References

• Pash Weddings; Bridal Luncheons; Karissa O'Reilly; July 2007
• Wedding Savings for Bride Groom: A Bridesmaid Luncheon Is a Great Way to Say Thank You
• Bombshell Bride; Bridesmaids Luncheon Idea: The Tea Bar; January 2010