With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I wanted to do something a little different this year—something to honor the incredible moms who’ve walked alongside me through the many seasons of parenting. When I was in the thick of raising my kids, it was these women—my mom friends—who kept me going. Whether it was coordinating carpools, swapping advice, or simply sharing a laugh (or a vent session) after a long day, their friendship was a lifeline.
Now that our girls are all grown up, it felt like the perfect time to celebrate how far we’ve come—together. I decided to host a Mother/Daughter Luncheon as a way to honor these friendships that have meant so much to me.
I wanted to keep it small and intimate—just a handful of moms and daughters who’ve truly been part of our journey. This group met through Girl Scouts, with one friendship going all the way back to kindergarten. To gather with these women—and their now-young-lady daughters—was such a heartwarming way to spend the afternoon.
I envisioned a light, breezy vibe for the day—something feminine and fresh, without being too fussy. I leaned into a spring floral and daisy theme, and I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together. It would actually be perfect for a baby or bridal shower, or even a spring birthday celebration!
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Here’s how I set up this charming alfresco dining experience for the girls:
Table Decor:
Linens:
- White tablecloths – To set the tone, I draped the table with a basic white tablecloth layered in a white textured cloth—it gave everything a light, airy feel right from the start. My tablecloth is actually part of a set of linens my mom brought back from Turkey years ago, and I’ve always loved the rich texture and weight of it.
- I also found this tablecloth that has a subtle pattern—just enough to add interest without overwhelming the table. (*Another option for a heavier weighted cloth would be to purchase a summer weight bed coverlet. Hey, I’ve used sheets as tablecloths before. Get creative!
- Table Runner – I’m always a fan of layering a table, and this runner added just the right hint of yellow to brighten things up.
- Yellow Cotton Gauze Napkins – Loved the look and feel of these napkins. They added the perfect feminine touch to the table.
Tableware:
- Round Woven Chargers – These were a great addition to the vibe of the table. Great staple to have in your arsenal for a multitude of looks.
- Wedgewood Strawberry & Vine Plates – Love the versatility of white for a tablescape. If you’re building your “Entertaining Arsenal”, white plates are the way to go!
- Francis 1st Sterling Silverware (Reed & Barton) – While I chose to go with my sterling, gold flatware would have been beautiful as well.
- Flower Napkin Rings – Keeping with my spring floral theme, these fit the bill perfectly!
Learn How to Build your Own Entertainment Arsenal in my blog post HERE!
Centerpieces:
- Bubble vase – My go-to vase for many of my floral arrangements
- Flowers used in my larger arrangements were: jumbo mums, ranunculus, chamomile, eucalyptus and varying types of filler
- For variety, I also mixed in a few smaller vases I found in the dollar bins at Target – similar in size to these. A few sprigs of chamomile added just the right bit of whimsy and kept the floral feel light and playful.
Check out my Tips to turning Market Flowers into Beautiful Floral Designs HERE!
Additional Decor:
- Brass Candlestick Holders with simple white taper candles added a classic touch and brought a little height and warmth to the overall design. (FYI: The candlesticks are lightweight which worked well for the luncheon and I can use again. However, if you’re looking for a heavier feel, these candlesticks are not what you’re looking for.)
- Votive candles brought in an extra layer of charm and coziness to the setup.
- For a little something extra, I added edible chamomile flowers to the ice cubes. It was a sweet, unexpected touch that tied in perfectly with the table’s floral theme.
I love sending guests home with a little favor, and this Mother/Daughter occasion felt like the perfect time to do something sweet and meaningful. This time around, I incorporated the favors right into the table setting—each one a thoughtful detail that added to the overall look and served as a sweet take-home gift for the moms and daughters.
BTW- have to share! I found my floral dress on Amazon and received so many compliments. For a petite person like me, midi dresses can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. But this one is a winner 🙂
Need inspiration? I’ve rounded up 45 fabulous Mother’s Day gift ideas—take a peek HERE!
Favors:
- For each mom’s place setting, I used a 2×3 brass vintage-style frame with a photo of her and her daughter. It added a personal, heartfelt touch to the table and doubled as a sweet keepsake for her to take home.
- Instead of napkin rings for the daughters, I used these adorable flower charm keyrings personalized with their initials. They added a FUN, youthful touch to the table and served as both a place card and a sweet little keepsake.
I love how these DIY favors are both personalized and versatile—not just for Mother’s Day, but great for birthdays, bridal or baby showers, or any special gathering where you want to add a thoughtful touch.
Personalized touches for the guests.
Menu:
Since it was a small, close-knit group, I didn’t feel the need to go overboard with the menu. I kept things simple but delicious—just the right balance of fresh, light fare perfect for a spring afternoon.
Beverages: Champagne, mimosas, wine, sun tea and lemonade
Appetizer: Vegetable platter with yogurt dip & Baba Ghanoush (eggplant dip)
Lunch:
- Cranberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Chicken and Homemade Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
- Fresh Cheese Scones (I actually ended up making them more like biscuits, but they were still sooo good!)
Dessert: Individual Toasted Coconut Cream Pudding
Putting this luncheon together was such a joy—from the daisy details to the laughter around the table. Celebrating with the women who’ve shared so many chapters of motherhood with me, and seeing our daughters all grown up and still connected, made the day extra meaningful.
Sometimes the simplest gatherings are the most memorable.
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I love these pics and what a fabulous idea to make chamomile ice cubes! Sooooo cute and what a fun idea! As always – I’m inspired! Thanks Shelley! xo
I have to say, I think the little ice cubes were my favs! Glad you liked them too 🙂
I have to say, I think the little ice cubes were my favs! Glad you liked them too 🙂
I love these pics and what a fabulous idea to make chamomile ice cubes! Sooooo cute and what a fun idea! As always – I’m inspired! Thanks Shelley! xo
Such a lovely event. Thanks for hosting. Loved all touches that made it very special!