Wedding Brunch: Selective Guest-Listing, A Good Idea?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to the guest list. A post-wedding brunch is a great way to extend the celebration and spend extra time with guests, especially those from out of town. While it is customary to invite all guests, it is not necessary. As a rule of thumb, immediate family, grandparents, and the wedding party (with their plus-ones) should be invited. Beyond that, it is up to the couple's discretion, but it is important to maintain consistency to avoid hurt feelings. The post-wedding brunch is typically more relaxed, allowing for creative freedom in invitations, dress code, and menu options.

It's not necessary to invite all guests to the wedding brunch

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to a post-wedding brunch. This event is a great way to extend the celebration and spend extra time with your guests, but it is not necessary to invite all guests. Here are some reasons why it's perfectly acceptable to keep the guest list small for a post-wedding brunch:

Budget Constraints

Firstly, budget constraints may be a factor. Planning a wedding can be expensive, and adding another meal for a large number of guests can quickly increase costs. By keeping the guest list small, you can save on food, drinks, and venue costs.

Intimacy and Quality Time

A post-wedding brunch is an opportunity for the newlyweds to spend quality time with their closest family and friends. The wedding day itself can be busy and overwhelming, making it difficult to have meaningful conversations with every guest. By keeping the brunch guest list intimate, the couple can ensure they have more time to connect with their loved ones.

Logistics and Convenience

When creating the guest list for the brunch, it's important to consider the convenience of the location for your guests. If most guests are staying at the same hotel, that may be the best choice for the brunch venue. Keeping the guest list small and limited to those staying at the hotel will make it easier for them to attend without the need for additional travel.

Avoiding Hurt Feelings

While it is ultimately the couple's decision on who to invite, it is advisable to be mindful of hurt feelings. If you are only inviting certain friends or extended family members, it is best to keep the guest list consistent to avoid any feelings of exclusion. For example, if you invite some cousins, it may be wise to invite all cousins to avoid any potential hurt feelings.

Planning Ease

Planning a wedding is already a significant task, and adding a post-wedding brunch to the agenda can be exhausting for the couple. By keeping the guest list small, the planning process can be more manageable, especially if the couple chooses to enlist the help of a wedding planner or coordinator.

In conclusion, it is not necessary to invite all guests to the post-wedding brunch. This event is an opportunity for the couple to spend quality time with their closest loved ones and can be more intimate and relaxed. By keeping the guest list small, the couple can also benefit from reduced costs, easier planning, and a more convenient experience for their guests.

The wedding couple usually hosts the brunch, but they don't have to plan it

The wedding couple usually hosts the post-wedding brunch, but they don't have to plan it. While it is customary for the newlyweds to host the event, they can enlist the help of their parents, the maid of honour, best man, or a wedding planner. This way, the couple can focus on playing host and enjoying the extra time with their guests.

Post-wedding brunches are a great way to extend the wedding celebrations, particularly for couples who feel they didn't get to spend enough quality time with their guests on their big day. It is also a nice gesture for guests who have travelled to attend the wedding, giving them a convenient breakfast option the next day.

The couple can choose to invite all their wedding guests to the brunch, or keep it more intimate. If the budget allows, inviting everyone is a good way to play it safe and avoid any hurt feelings. However, it is not necessary or expected. As a general rule, immediate family, grandparents, and the wedding party (with their plus-ones) should be invited. From there, the couple can use their discretion, keeping in mind that it's best to be consistent to avoid any potential upset. For example, if you invite aunts, uncles, and cousins from one side of the family, you should do the same for the other side to avoid any appearance of favouritism.

The post-wedding brunch is usually held the morning after the wedding, typically starting around 9 am to noon, and lasting about 2-2.5 hours. It is often a drop-in style event, allowing guests to stop by at their convenience before they head home. The location is usually chosen with the guests' convenience in mind, often held at the hotel where most guests are staying, or somewhere within walking distance.

The brunch is typically held the morning after the wedding

The post-wedding brunch is usually held at a convenient location for the guests, such as a restaurant, the wedding hotel, or a family member's house. It can also be held at the wedding venue, particularly if it is a destination wedding. The timing of the brunch is important, with most starting at 11 am or noon and lasting about 2.5 hours. However, if the wedding was a late-night affair, it is considerate to hold the brunch later in the day, allowing guests time to rest. A drop-in style event is recommended, giving guests flexibility with their travel plans.

The guest list for the post-wedding brunch is typically smaller than the wedding guest list. The immediate family, grandparents, and wedding party (with their plus-ones) are usually invited. If you invite extended family or friends, it is important to be consistent to avoid hurt feelings. It is not necessary to invite all the wedding guests, and putting the brunch details on the wedding website is not advised if you are only inviting a select few. Instead, separate invitations or evites can be sent to the brunch guests.

The post-wedding brunch is a more relaxed event compared to the wedding itself, with a more casual dress code and a flexible menu. Local brunch favourites, interactive food stations, and a build-your-own mimosa or Bloody Mary bar are all popular options. The brunch is also a great opportunity for the newlyweds to mingle with guests, relive the wedding night, and spend quality time with those they may not have had a chance to talk to during the wedding.

It's a chance for the couple to spend quality time with guests

A post-wedding brunch is a great opportunity for the couple to spend quality time with their guests. The wedding day is often a blur of excitement and overwhelming joy, and the brunch allows the couple to connect with their guests in a more relaxed setting. It is a chance to relive the night, share stories, and hear about their guests' experiences.

The brunch is typically held the morning after the wedding, providing a perfect opportunity for the couple to bid farewell to their guests before they head home. It is especially nice for out-of-town guests or those staying in the same hotel as the wedding party. The couple can choose a venue that is convenient for the majority of their guests, such as the wedding hotel or a nearby restaurant.

The guest list for the post-wedding brunch can be more intimate than the wedding itself. The couple may choose to invite only their immediate family, grandparents, and the wedding party, or they can extend the invitation to all wedding guests if they prefer. It is important to maintain consistency when inviting extended family or friends to avoid any hurt feelings.

The post-wedding brunch is a chance for the couple to showcase their personalities and create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their guests. They can choose a theme or style that reflects their interests and the vibe they want for the morning. The menu can be customized to include regional favorites, crowd-pleasing breakfast options, or interactive stations such as omelet or crepe bars.

By hosting a post-wedding brunch, the couple creates a memorable opportunity to spend quality time with their loved ones, making their wedding celebration even more special and intimate. It is a chance to create lasting memories and strengthen the bond with their guests.

The guest list for the brunch should be decided based on budget and venue capacity

When it comes to deciding on the guest list for a wedding brunch, the budget and venue capacity are key factors to consider. While it is customary to invite all wedding guests to the post-wedding brunch, it is not necessary or expected. The decision should be guided by financial constraints and the size of the venue.

If you have a limited budget, it is advisable to prioritise inviting immediate family members, grandparents, and the wedding party, including their plus-ones. This ensures that those closest to the couple are included while keeping costs manageable. It is also important to maintain consistency when inviting extended family members or friends to avoid any hurt feelings.

The venue capacity plays a crucial role in determining the guest list. Aim to choose a location that can accommodate at least 75% of your overall guest list. This ensures that the event is comfortable and enjoyable for your guests. Consider the convenience of the location, especially if most guests are staying at the same hotel. Holding the brunch at the hotel or within walking distance can increase attendance.

When creating the guest list, be mindful of the potential for hurt feelings if only inviting a select few. If you are only inviting a portion of the wedding guests, it is recommended to send separate invitations or evites specifically for the brunch. Avoid mentioning the brunch on your wedding website or invitations to prevent any confusion or disappointment.

By taking into account both your budget and the venue capacity, you can determine a suitable number of guests for the brunch and create a guest list that aligns with your resources and ensures a pleasant experience for everyone.

Frequently asked questions