George Boyle
Brunch wedding receptions are becoming increasingly popular. They offer a more casual, intimate, and unique gathering for couples who want to put a twist on wedding traditions. If you're planning a brunch wedding reception, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the style and formality of your brunch. This could be a rolling buffet, made-to-order entrees, or a display of pastries. You could also offer a full meal or light bites. Secondly, think about the timing of your brunch. Brunch receptions are usually shorter, so you may need to cut some traditions, like speeches or individual dances, to save time. Finally, choose a venue that suits your style and guest count. Hotels, gardens, and greenhouses are all great options for a brunch reception. If you're thinking of hosting a brunch wedding reception, these tips will help you create a memorable and meaningful celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | Late morning or early afternoon |
| Guest list | Small, intimate |
| Food | Full meal or light bites, with a variety of options |
| Drinks | Coffee, tea, mimosas, cocktails |
| Activities | Games, group outings (e.g., rock climbing, hiking, sunset cruise), exploring the city, swimming, etc. |
| Dress code | Casual, no sequins |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, cozy, intimate |
| Venue | Hotel, garden, greenhouse, restaurant, etc. |
| Purpose | To extend the celebration, connect with guests, and say goodbye |
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Plan the timing
Planning the timing of your brunch wedding reception is crucial to ensure a smooth and enjoyable event. Here are some tips to help you with the timing:
Pre-Wedding Timing
Start by considering the time of day you want your brunch wedding reception to take place. Brunch weddings typically occur in the late morning or early afternoon. This timing sets the tone for a more relaxed and intimate atmosphere compared to evening receptions. Keep in mind that direct sunlight during these hours can impact photography, so plan accordingly if you want to capture the perfect photos.
Vendor Timing
Discuss timing with your vendors, including hair and makeup artists, caterers, and venue staff. Understand their timing requirements and how long they will need to set up and prepare. For example, your hair and makeup artists may need a few hours before the ceremony to style you and your wedding party. Clarify with your venue how early your vendors can arrive and set up. This is crucial for a seamless morning-of experience.
Guest Timing
Consider your guests' schedules and travel plans when planning the timing of your brunch wedding reception. Some guests may need to check out of their hotels or catch flights, so a drop-in time between 10 am and 12 pm is generally considerate. If you're hosting a smaller, intimate brunch, ensure guests are aware of the timing by including an insert in the invitations or sending out evites to track RSVPs.
Post-Wedding Timing
A brunch wedding reception is typically shorter than an evening reception, so you may need to trim certain traditions or activities. Decide if you want to transition into another activity after brunch to extend the celebration. This could be an evening outing, such as a sunset cruise, formal dinner, or drinks at a bar. Alternatively, suggest a group activity like rock climbing, a group hike, or a pottery class. These options allow guests to connect and create lasting memories beyond the brunch reception.
Couple's Timing
Don't forget to set aside time after the brunch wedding reception for just the newlywed couple. This is an opportunity to relax and spend quality time together before transitioning to other activities or your honeymoon. It's essential to strike a balance between celebrating with your guests and having some private moments as a couple.
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Choose the food
A brunch wedding reception is a great way to stick to your wedding budget while ensuring it's a memorable event. Brunch food can be much less expensive, and you can save money by opting for cheaper alcoholic options, such as mimosas or a Bloody Mary bar instead of a full open bar.
When it comes to choosing the food for your brunch wedding, there are several options to consider. If you want to keep things casual, a buffet or food stations are perfect for this type of event. Food stations can be a fun and delicious way to serve brunch, with nearly any dish that has a variety of toppings set up as a station. For example, you could offer toppings like jam, jelly, peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, fruit and berries. You could also have a biscuit bar or a coffee bar. If you're serving a plated meal, classic breakfast options like French toast, pancakes, or waffles are always a good choice. If you want to add a touch of elegance, consider upscale dishes like quiche or Eggs Benedict.
If you're planning a more formal plated meal, you can still incorporate brunch favourites with dishes such as Shakshuka (baked eggs) or Brioche French Toast. A sit-down meal can be as lavish or informal as you like.
If you're serving children at your brunch reception, don't forget to plan a kid-friendly menu. Simple and tasty staples like chicken tenders, pretzels, and other familiar foods will be a hit with younger guests.
Don't forget to consider the time of day when choosing your menu. If your reception is taking place in the morning or early afternoon, opt for more breakfast-style options. If your reception is in the late morning or early afternoon, you can explore a wider range of brunch fare.
If you're hosting a post-wedding brunch the day after the wedding, it's a nice touch to provide a little "snack" for guests to enjoy while they mingle before the meal, especially if some guests have an early flight and need a grab-and-go option. Leftovers from the wedding can be served, or you can provide a selection of breakfast dishes like scrambled eggs, waffles, and sausages. If you want to treat your guests, consider adding special items like smoked salmon or frittata.
For dessert, consider a smaller cake in a lighter style, such as angel food, coffee cake, or crepe cakes. Don't forget to offer some refreshing drinks to go with the meal, like homemade lemonade with umbrellas or mint-and-lemon-infused water.
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Pick a venue
When it comes to picking a venue for a post-wedding brunch, there are several options to consider. Firstly, the brunch can be held at a different location from the wedding reception, such as a restaurant, a hotel, or a house. If you're staying at a hotel with a restaurant, avoid hosting the brunch in the main dining room to accommodate guests who may be checking out. Instead, consider renting out your favourite brunch restaurant or a space like a banquet hall or an outdoor area with a nice view. If you're looking for a more relaxed option, you can even host the brunch in your backyard.
If you're planning a wedding brunch, it's important to consider the availability of the venue for morning events. Schedule tours of potential venues in the morning or early afternoon to get a sense of the space and its morning ambiance. Some venues have beautiful gardens that are perfect for a daytime celebration. If you're looking to save costs, you might opt for a morning wedding, as venues may charge less for daytime slots than for the popular Saturday night slot.
When selecting a venue, it's also crucial to consider the setup time required for vendors. If possible, set up the venue the night before to make the day less stressful for you and your vendors. Communicate clearly with the venue about how early your vendors can arrive and how much time they will need to set up. This is especially important if you have multiple vendors, such as a florist, DJ, or wedding planner.
To make the venue selection process easier, consider using a wedding planner or the venue's in-house event manager. They can assist with various tasks, including communication with the venue and vendors, and ensure you have access to necessary rental items like tables, chairs, linens, and flatware.
Remember, a post-wedding brunch is typically more low-key and casual than the wedding reception, so choose a venue that reflects this relaxed atmosphere and allows you to spend quality time with your guests.
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Send invitations
If you're planning a post-wedding brunch, you'll want to send out invitations to your guests. This can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preference and the size of your guest list. Here are some options to consider:
Insert in the Invitation
If you're keeping the guest list small and exclusive to close friends and family, you can include an insert in the wedding invitations that are destined only for those invited to the brunch. This way, your guests will know to expect a post-wedding celebration and can plan their travels accordingly.
Evite for Easy RSVP Tracking
Another option for a smaller guest list is to send out evites, which can make it easier to track RSVPs. This method ensures you know how many guests to expect and can help with planning the brunch details, such as food and beverage quantities.
Wedding Website
If you're inviting all your wedding guests to the brunch, you can include the details on your wedding website. This way, guests can refer to the website for all the information they need regarding both the wedding and the post-wedding brunch.
Creative Naming
Get creative with the name of your post-wedding brunch! You can make brunch puns or combine your names with your favorite morning/lunch foods. For example, "orange you grateful for bottomless brunch?" This playful approach can add a unique and fun touch to your invitations.
Timing
When sending out invitations, consider the timing of your brunch. If it's taking place early in the morning, you may want to suggest a drop-in time, such as 10 am to 12 pm, to accommodate guests who need to check out of their hotels. Communicating the timing clearly will help ensure your guests can attend and enjoy the celebration.
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Mingle and say goodbye
A brunch wedding reception is a great way to extend the celebration and host a weekend of events. It is a more casual type of gathering, perfect for couples who desire a dinner party vibe with the cozy atmosphere of spending the morning with their favourite people.
After the excitement of the day before, the newlyweds should be prepared to mingle with guests and say goodbye. This is a chance for the couple to make their rounds and ensure they have spent quality time with everyone before they leave. It is also an opportunity to thank guests for travelling and celebrating with them.
If you are the host, consider providing a small "snack" before the brunch begins, especially if guests have an early flight and need a grab-and-go option. You could also bring the wedding favours from the night before so that any guests who forgot or misplaced their gift will have the opportunity to receive one.
If you are a guest, remember that the couple's wedding day is packed with overwhelming joy and excitement, and it is not uncommon that they would have liked to have spent a little more time with you. This event allows you to do just that, all while reliving the festivities of the night before.
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Frequently asked questions
You can serve a full-on meal or light bites. For a full meal, variety is appreciated, but not necessary for a small party. For light bites, you can make it upscale or informal depending on the quality and presentation. You could also have a rolling buffet, made-to-order entrees, or carb-filled pastries.
You could plan an evening outing such as rock climbing, a group hike, a pottery class, a sunset cruise, a formal dinner, or drinks at a bar. You could also host a game night or explore the city with your out-of-town guests.
You could bring in a watercolour artist to paint your first kiss or have portraits painted of your guests. You could also create a cosy lounge setting and hire a portrait photographer to take professional photos of your guests.
A post-wedding brunch is a great way to connect with close friends and family in a relaxed atmosphere. It's also a nice transition between the excitement of your wedding day and the rest of the week. However, it's an extra event to plan and pay for, and you may need to consider guests who are travelling or working weekends.
