What makes the perfect Valentine’s Day? A candlelit dinner with ‘the one’ or an indulgent day of self-care? We think both. This month, we’re determined to put clichés aside and celebrate every love – him to her, platonic to you.
To kick off the festivities, we asked Monica Welburn and Kyla Magrath to show us how to honour the beautiful bond between friends, with a gal-pal brunch. The brief was simple: make it pink (sorry, we couldn’t kick that cliché), and make it ‘you’. Here’s what they both came up with…
How to Host: A
Galentine's Gathering
Monica Welburn and Kyle Magrath share the love.
Words by Harriett Monaghan
Monica Welburn’s Not-Too-Sweet Tablescape
“Pink is most definitely a love-filled hue, but too much of it can feel overly sickly. Instead, root your table in blush hues like the Ilana dinner plates and Bungalow printed napkins, mixing in unexpected colours like deep purple.”
“The key to dinner party success lies in inviting mise en scène. Natural props will put guests at ease, and they smell amazing! Opt for flowers in varying sizes and finish with trinkets and candle holders. Plus, leftover flowers are a lovely ongoing reminder of your get-together.”
Kyla Magrath’s Guide to Pretty Personal
“As a recently single Mother, my girlfriends have been there through all the ups and downs – they mean everything to me, so what better way to show them how much I care than with something extra special. I made some hanging decorations from dried pampas grass and asparagus fern. For the blooms, I opted for big blousy varieties, mixed with spring ranunculus and anemones.”
“True friendships are full of wonderful memories. I made handwritten name tags and jotted down words that reminded me of all the good times we’ve shared together. Suddenly, formal makes way for intimate.”
“No brunch is complete without a suitably delectable spread. I served stacks of American-style pancakes splashed with maple syrup and fruit on the prettiest rose quartz platter. Topped off with cinnamon buns, mini pavlovas, French fondant fancies and of course – pink champagne.”
“No brunch is complete without a suitably delectable spread. I served stacks of American-style pancakes splashed with maple syrup and fruit on the prettiest rose quartz platter. Topped off with cinnamon buns, mini pavlovas, French fondant fancies and of course – pink champagne.”
Searching for the perfect Valentine’s Gift? Try these.