Franklin Dean
The wedding breakfast is the main meal served to the newlyweds and guests after the wedding ceremony and before the evening party. It is usually a three-course sit-down meal, but there are no set rules. The time between the end of the wedding ceremony and the start of the wedding breakfast is called the pre-reception drinks, where canapés and cocktails are served to guests. Typically, the wedding breakfast takes place a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony. For example, if the wedding ceremony is at midday, the wedding breakfast will be served at around 2:30 pm. The wedding breakfast can last up to three hours, including speeches and toasts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time of the day | Usually in the early evening, but can be held at any time that works for the wedding |
| Timing with respect to the wedding | Typically 2-3 hours after the wedding ceremony, but can be longer depending on the wedding plans |
| Food | A three-course meal, or a more casual buffet |
| Duration | 2-3 hours, including speeches and toasts |
| Etymology | The name arose from the fact that in pre-Reformation times, the newlyweds would have been fasting before the wedding to be eligible to receive Holy Communion. After the ceremony, the priest would bless and distribute food and drink, which was a literal "break fast" for the newly married couple |
| Alternate name | Wedding Luncheon |
| Cost | £30-£40 per head |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding breakfasts typically take place a couple of hours after the ceremony
The wedding breakfast is the main meal of the day and is usually a three-course meal, although it can be a more casual buffet. It is called a wedding breakfast because, in pre-Reformation times, the wedding service was a Eucharistic Mass, and the newlyweds would have been fasting beforehand so they could receive Holy Communion. After the ceremony, the priest would bless and distribute wine, cakes, and sweetmeats, which were then shared by the newlyweds and their guests, thus "breaking their fast".
The wedding breakfast is usually followed by the speeches, which can last from 10 minutes to half an hour or longer per speaker. It is important to allow enough time for these, especially if there are several speakers, as they are one of the most anticipated moments of the day. The meal itself can take between 90 minutes and two hours, and the whole wedding breakfast, including speeches and toasts, can last around three hours.
The time between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast is a good opportunity for the master of ceremonies (MC) to announce the schedule for the day, so guests know what to expect. It is also a good time for the photographer to take pictures of the wedding breakfast room before the guests are seated.
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The meal is usually followed by an evening buffet
The wedding breakfast is the main meal of the wedding day, typically taking place a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony. It is usually a three-course sit-down meal, but there are no set rules. It can be a casual buffet or a more formal affair, depending on your preferences and budget. The time between the wedding ceremony and the wedding breakfast is an excellent opportunity for pre-reception drinks and canapes to keep your guests happy and well-fed while you take your professional photographs.
The wedding breakfast usually lasts between two and three hours, including speeches and toasts. It is important to consider the number of guests and the dining style when planning the duration of this event. If you plan to have a receiving line, where you and your parents greet each guest as they enter the room, it can take up to 40 minutes, so be sure to factor this into your timeline.
After the wedding breakfast, guests are encouraged to move to the bars while the staff clears the tables for the evening entertainment. This is also when the DJ or band will set up. It is recommended that the evening entertainment begins around 8 pm, at least three to four hours after the wedding breakfast concludes. This allows enough time for guests to relax and enjoy the post-dinner festivities without feeling rushed.
The Evening Buffet can then be served between 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm, depending on the timing of the wedding breakfast. It is essential to allow a minimum of two and a half hours between the wedding breakfast and the evening buffet to ensure your guests have time to enjoy both meals without feeling too full.
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It's important to allow time for photos and speeches
The wedding breakfast is the main meal that you serve to your guests after the ceremony and before the wedding speeches and evening party. Typically, wedding breakfasts take place a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony. For example, if your wedding ceremony is at midday, your wedding breakfast will probably be at around 2:30 pm.
The wedding breakfast can last about 60-90 minutes, and speeches can happen before, during, or after the meal. There are advantages to each option. For example, if you have the speeches before the meal, your photographer can get a nice overview shot of the speeches, including the speaker and the reactions of the couple and guests in the same shot. This also means your photographer can take a break during the meal and doesn't have to rush back and forth to check if the next speech is about to start. However, if your speakers are nervous, they may prefer to get their speeches out of the way before the meal so they can relax and enjoy their food.
If you choose to have the speeches during or after the meal, your photographer can capture the reactions of the couple and guests during the speeches, and the tables will be nicely set at the start of the meal. However, the tables will become messier as the meal goes on, and it may be harder to time the food and keep the meals warm if the speeches overrun. It can also be difficult for your photographer to find time to eat a meal, and they may be left hungry or come back to a cold meal.
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The wedding breakfast can last up to three hours
The wedding breakfast is the main meal of the wedding day, and is usually a sit-down, three-course meal. It is typically held in the early evening, a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony, although the time is flexible and can be held whenever suits the wedding. It is called a "breakfast" because it is the first meal of the day for the newly married couple, and the guests, who traditionally would have fasted before the wedding ceremony.
The length of the wedding breakfast will depend on the number of guests and the style of dining, but it is important to stick to your schedule as much as possible. It is also a good idea to have a photographer take photos of the room before the guests are seated, which only takes 15 minutes, and can be done during the drinks reception. You will also want to allow time for an all-important confetti shot and family photos, so it is a good idea to talk this through with your photographer beforehand.
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It's best to avoid seating certain guests together
The wedding breakfast is the main meal that you serve to your guests after the ceremony and before the wedding speeches and evening party. It is usually a three-course meal, which can be served as a sit-down dinner or a more casual buffet. Typically, wedding breakfasts take place a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony, with guests being seated in around 10-15 minutes. However, if you are opting for a receiving line, this can take up to 40 minutes.
The wedding breakfast can last for around two to three hours, including speeches and toasts. During this time, you will want to ensure that your guests are matched with the right people on the table plans. It is best to avoid seating certain guests together, such as fidgety children or divorced couples. Separating guests in this way can be a delicate art form, but it is important to consider who will get along with each other to create a pleasant atmosphere.
The time between the wedding ceremony and the wedding breakfast is often filled with pre-reception drinks and canapes, providing an opportunity for the couple to pose for photographs. This is a crucial time to keep your guests happy and well-fed, especially if your wedding breakfast is scheduled for later in the day.
After the wedding breakfast, the evening buffet can be served anytime between 8 pm and 9:30 pm. It is recommended to allow at least a two-and-a-half-hour gap between the two meals, and the evening entertainment should ideally commence around 8 pm. This well-timed break will encourage guests to relax and socialise before the next set of festivities begin.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding breakfast is the main meal that you serve to your guests after the ceremony and before the wedding speeches and evening party. It usually takes place a couple of hours after the wedding ceremony, so if your wedding is at midday, your wedding breakfast will probably be around 2:30 pm.
A wedding breakfast usually lasts between two and three hours, including speeches and toasts. The meal itself, a three-course meal, will take between 90 minutes and two hours. Speeches should be no longer than five minutes, with all speeches lasting between 20 and 30 minutes altogether.
After the wedding breakfast, the MC will signal that it's time for the speeches. The evening buffet can then be served between 8 pm and 9:30 pm, depending on when the wedding breakfast finished.
