Setting the Table | No. 6 Garden Party Lunch
A garden party lunch is one of the more optimistic tables in the whole Setting the Table series. It requires good weather and a willingness to carry things outside and the belief that an afternoon in May is reason enough to set a proper table in the garden. All of those things are worth it.
This is week six of Setting the Table. The Beatrice placemats and napkins, the Bordallo Pinheiro plates, the ivory Sabre flatware, and whatever is blooming right now cut and put in a vase that is overflowing because a garden party lunch deserves that. Here is everything on the table.
The Table
The Beatrice placemats go down first. The Beatrice napkins alongside them in the same print, which gives the table a cohesive and considered look without feeling matchy in a way that is too deliberate.
The Bordallo Pinheiro plates on top. The sculptural cabbage leaf detail makes the table feel like it belongs in a garden because it does. These are the plates I reach for every time the occasion is outdoors and the sun is high and the flowers on the table are overflowing.
The ivory Sabre flatware alongside. The warm ivory tone works beautifully with the Beatrice and the Bordallo Pinheiro plates, tying everything together without competing with the pattern.
A vase of whatever is blooming overflowing in the center of the table. This is not the occasion for a restrained single stem. A garden party lunch gets the full flower treatment. Cut everything that is blooming in the garden or buy the most abundant bunch at the farmers market and put all of it in a vase.
A serving platter for the salmon and a serving bowl for the grain salad, both on the table family style so everyone can help themselves.
The Menu
Everything here is made ahead so you are actually at the table when your guests arrive. Nothing comes out of the oven at the last minute. The salmon is cold and the grain salad is better after a few hours and the lemon bars were made yesterday.
• Crudite platter with green goddess dip on the table when everyone arrives
• Baked salmon with dill sauce
• Focaccia (either store bought or homemade)
• Lemonade or a chilled Sauvignon Blanc
The Outfit
A garden party lunch calls for something that feels like spring at its best. Something that works outdoors, looks beautiful in natural light, and does not require you to think about it once you have it on.
The two outfit options are this classic white t-shirt with a blue gingham skirt or this green striped dress. Both with a simple pair of studs, wicker clutch, and brown sandals.
Everything from this post is linked in my ShopMy collection.
The Trudie Capsule
The Beatrice placemats and napkins are part of the Trudie spring tabletop capsule. The Beatrice is the spring piece I reach for most in the collection and the garden party lunch is exactly the occasion it was made for.
More at the Table
Every week this year I am setting a new table and sharing the full guide here on the blog. Follow along on Instagram at @shoptrudie and on my Substack, At the Table with Megan.