3 tips for your best brunch

1 Serve blooming desserts

Jacquelyn Kazas (Beijosevents. com) served “baby cakes” made by California-based caterer Taylor Made (Taylormadecuisine.com). To get the look, bake your favorite vanilla cake batter in a sheet pan; let cool. Use a round cookie cutter that’s the same diameter as cylindrical cups, like Clear Plastic Water Glasses ($1.25 for 5, Dollartree.com), to punch out cake discs. Stack 3 discs in each cup, piping vanilla icing between layers. Add faux blooms to cupcake liners; set on cakes.

2 Put extra petals to use

Have extra flowers on hand? Use them as the star of a DIY potpourrimaking station! Simply pluck petals from blooms and place on a paper towel, then microwave in 30-second inter vals until petals are almost dry. Divide dried petals into bowls and set out a selection of essential oils along with mini tulle sachets. Invite guests to make their own mix by adding drops of oil into a bowl of petals; spoon into bag.

3 Capture the memories

When everyone’s gathered in one place, it’s the perfect time to take a group photo and save the memory forever! As a special thank-you, have the photo printed on postcards from a photo-printing site, like Walmart Photo (Photos3.walmart.com). Jot a message of gratitude onto cards, then mail to all who attended your gathering.