A few weeks ago, I hosted a lovely brunch for some NYC blogger friends. I shared a recap of the event and promised to fill you in on all the planning details. So without further ado, I bring you tips and tricks for how to plan a blogger brunch!
Step 1: Know your audience. Figure out who you are going to invite. What do they have in common? What are their interests? Do they have any food allergies? All of this information will help you plan the rest of your event, from the entertainment to the food. I was inviting a bunch of food and fitness bloggers, so I was sure to have allergy-free recipes and an entertainment topic that would be of interest to them. Once you have your invitee list, send out an invite! If you are design savvy, Photoshop and InDesign are great for this. If not, sites like PicMonkey and Canva make it a cinch.
Step 2: Choose your entertainment. Based off your audience’s interests, plan something fun to do during the brunch. This can be a fun game, a workout, or an information session. I turned my event into a “brunch and learn” where the lovely Julie from an essential oil company came to talk to us about how essential oils can benefit our health and fitness. She even gave everyone scans to help them determine what oils they need. Be sure to give yourself enough time to plan your entertainment, especially if you are bringing another person or company into the mix.
Step 3: Plan your menu. Brunch is a very versatile meal, so have some fun with it! I had everything from breakfast foods to desserts. Since I knew I was catering (<– oh look a double meaning!) to a bunch of food-loving bloggers, I had a big mix. Everything was vegetarian, just to be safe, and most things were gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan. Despite what may seem like a lot of limitations, I had a lot to choose from! I made mini quiches and a yogurt bar (not vegan), as well as gluten-free toasts, gluten-free lemon blueberry muffins, raw caramel carob mocha bars, and raw maca carob truffles (recipe below!). Make everything a day or two before if you can (so you aren’t scrambling last minute), and remember it’s better to have too much than too little – everyone loves leftovers, after all.
Step 4: Decorate! Give yourself a color scheme. Since it was the beginning of fall, I chose gold and black. I went to Michaels and found some cute chevron-patterned burlap that I cut into table runners and got some gold charger plates for the food. I also stopped at Party City for paper goods and plastic cutlery. Since my event was in Brooklyn, I gave everything a Brooklyn feel by getting little mustache labels and getting mason jars and labels for everyone to drink out of (these also became party favors – which you should also include for your guests). I suggest putting all your decorations out the night before and getting all your food out right before your guests arrive. Then you can enjoy the event with everyone else!
Step 5: Keep it simple. Try not to over think, over plan, or over stress. Make it fun for yourself and it will be fun for everyone!
In summary:
Now for these Maca Carob Truffles! They’re raw as well as gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and completely delicious.
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 2 Tbsp maca powder + more for coating
- 1 tsp carob powder + more for coating
- Place walnuts and hemp seeds in a food processor and process until they become a powder.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process until they stick together.
- Roll into balls.
- Sprinkle more maca and carob powder on a plate and roll each ball through the mixture.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.
Let’s Chat:
Have you ever planned an event?
What was the best brunch food you’ve ever had?
Also, don’t forget that there is still time to enter the Armpocket Giveaway! You can earn new entries every day, so head on over and get those entries in.
This post is linked up with the Did You Know Link Up & Meatless Monday.
I’ve been thinking about hosting some sort of blogger event in DC before the Rock n Roll race. Thanks for the tips!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Mushroom, Kale & Fresh Pea Stuffing
Of course! I hope I can attend one of your events some day or vice versa!
I love brunches! They are so much fun and I love eating both breakfast and lunch plus it’s always an excuse to breakout the champagne! 😉
Annmarie recently posted…Meatless Monday: Cilantro Lime Quinoa Collard Green Burritos
breakfast? good. lunch? good. champagne? goooooood! haha
I better be invited next time 🙂
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…A Very #SuzandSara Weekend
You’re always invited 🙂
Invite me too 🙂
Haha!
What a great event! It is so nice that bloggers come together like this. Great tips too.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Things I’m Loving Lately 7
You got it! I’d love to have everyone come to NYC for a blogger meet up 🙂
Oh my gosh, this brunch is the coolest thing! I wish I had blogger in my area, but I live in the middle of nowhere 🙁 These truffles look great! I haven’t tried maca or carob yet… I need to buy them!
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl recently posted…One Bowl Vegan Banana Bread
Well I guess you’ll just have to visit then! And I love both maca and carob – definitely give them a try!
Come to Toronto.
Let’s plan one together.
Linda @ the Fitty recently posted…My Superb Paleo/Keto Lunches- Life In Pictures #10 + WIAW #9
done! That would be so fun!
Events yes, many but not any blogger ones. Favorite brunch would probably have to be a french toast bake, fruit, and of course mimosas. 😉
Sarah recently posted…Maple Oatmeal Squash Breakfast Bowl
Can’t go wrong with French Toast, especially if you’re making it 🙂
A blogger brunch sounds so fun!
Jojo @ Run Fast Eat Lots recently posted…Life in Pictures #1
It was! Brunch in general is always nice, and good company just makes it even better 🙂
I LOVVVEE Carob! MMMMM these sound delicious! And as for a blogger brunch, I am ALL in!!!! Thanks so much for joining us for meatless monday my friend! Hope you will come again next week 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Berry Quinoa Kale Salad
Thanks, Tina! I hope we can meet for brunch sometime soon 🙂
All great tips! Ok, I’ve never actually heard of maca, I’ll have to check it out!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Say goodbye to pinning bibs forever: Racedots Review and Discount
poo it’s yummy! definitely check it out – it has a kind of nutty flavor.