Lyla Dejesus
Brunch wedding receptions are a unique and memorable way to celebrate your special day. They are typically more intimate, less rowdy, and more cost-effective than traditional evening receptions. When planning a brunch wedding, it is important to consider the timing, as preparations will need to start early in the day. Communicating timelines to your guests, wedding party, venue, and vendors is crucial. The dress code for a brunch wedding tends to be more casual, and you can incorporate cheerful colours and playful signage into your decor. When it comes to food, a brunch wedding offers a variety of options, from buffets to sit-down meals, with dishes like chicken and waffles, vegetable frittatas, and fresh fruit being popular choices. Don't forget to offer coffee and tea, and consider setting up a DIY mimosa or Bloody Mary bar for your guests to enjoy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing | Late morning or early afternoon |
| Food | Chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs, pancakes, waffles, vegetable frittatas, bacon and egg tarts, pan au chocolat, croissants, mini-waffle bites, shakshuka, French toast, fruit salad, cakes, doughnuts, muffins, fresh fruit |
| Drink | Coffee, tea, fresh fruit juice, mimosas, bellinis, cocktails, mocktails |
| Decor | Cheerful, bright colours, fresh flowers, bright sun umbrellas, citrus, songbird, or coffee-themed centrepieces, morning glory in the bouquet or floral displays |
| Dress code | Casual, garden party attire, sports coats, pants and button-down shirts, colourful dresses and jumpsuits |
| Entertainment | Games, a photo booth, a caricature artist, an onsite artist, a flower crown station, music, dancing, a build-your-own mimosa bar, a watercolour artist, a portrait photographer, a DJ, a Spotify playlist |
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What You'll Learn
Brunch food ideas: from chicken and waffles to acai bowls
A brunch wedding reception is a unique opportunity to get creative with your menu. The food you serve can be as lavish or as informal as you like, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles are a classic choice for a wedding brunch. To make it easier for your guests to eat, consider serving mini versions as passed appetizers. You could also set up an eggs or pancake/waffle station, if your venue allows it.
Açai Bowls
An açai bowl bar is a fun and interactive idea for a brunch reception. Guests can customize their own bowls with various toppings such as nut butters, fresh fruit, nuts, hemp seeds, and granola. It's a great way to offer a healthy and refreshing option for your guests.
Canapés and Pastries
To start, you could offer canapé-style pastries and fruity nibbles served with coffee and juices. Bite-sized berry tarts are another tasty option for a daytime dessert.
Main Course
For the main course, you could serve a sit-down meal or opt for a buffet. Some ideas for the main event include French toast, shakshuka (baked eggs), brioche French toast, fruit salad, or vegetable frittatas.
Drinks
In addition to coffee and fresh fruit juices, you might want to offer some brunch cocktails like mimosas, bellinis, or Bloody Marys. Don't forget to keep the time of day in mind when planning your drinks menu.
Remember, it's important to have plenty of food options to ensure your guests don't go hungry, and consider the timing of your reception to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.
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Drinks: coffee, tea, cocktails, and mimosas
A brunch wedding reception is a great opportunity to get creative with drinks. Here are some ideas for coffee, tea, cocktails, and mimosas:
Coffee
Coffee is a popular choice for a brunch wedding, especially as guests may be waking up early to attend. You could set up a coffee station or cart, offering a selection of coffee beans and blends, as well as milk and sugar. For an extra touch, provide flavoured syrups or rock candy as a creative sweetener. If you want to get playful, include signs near the coffee station, such as "Love is Brewing" or "Rise and Shine, It's Wedding Time". You could even offer personalised coffee mugs as wedding favours.
Tea
For tea lovers, a custom tea bar can be a great option. Offer a variety of tea blends and again, provide milk, sugar, and perhaps honey. You could also include some herbal tea options for guests who prefer a caffeine-free drink. Tea-themed wedding favours could include beautifully packaged tea bags or loose-leaf tea in decorative tins.
Cocktails
If you want to include cocktails, a make-your-own Bloody Mary station can be a fun activity for guests. Provide a bloody mix and colourful, fresh vegetables to garnish. You could also offer other cocktail options, such as bellinis. However, keep in mind that a brunch wedding may include fewer drinkers, so it's a good idea to provide mocktail alternatives.
Mimosas
Mimosas are a classic brunch drink, and you can easily set up a DIY mimosa bar. Offer a variety of juices, such as citrus, melon-berry, and green options, and provide champagne for guests to mix their own drinks. You could also include some fun, colourful garnishes, such as berries or edible flowers.
Remember, it's important to cater to a range of tastes and preferences, so offering a variety of drink options is always a good idea. Cheers to a fun and memorable brunch wedding reception!
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Venues: at home, a restaurant, or a wedding venue
When it comes to venues for a brunch wedding, there are a few options to consider: hosting at home, at a restaurant, or at a wedding venue. Here are some things to keep in mind for each option:
At Home
Hosting a brunch wedding at home, or at a family member's home, can be a great option for smaller weddings. If you have a small guest list, hosting at home can be intimate and cosy. Consider if you have enough space for your guest count, and if you'll need any additional hands to help with preparations. A backyard or courtyard setting can be perfect for a relaxed wedding, especially if you want to take advantage of the morning light and natural surroundings.
At a Restaurant
If your dream venue is your favourite brunch spot, why not consider hosting your wedding there? A restaurant setting can be ideal for larger guest lists, or if you want to take the stress out of preparing food yourself. Many restaurants have beautiful outdoor spaces, like courtyards or beachfront views, that can add a unique touch to your wedding. Plus, they may be more available during morning hours, leaving room for an evening reception later.
At a Wedding Venue
Traditional wedding venues can also be a great choice for a brunch reception. These venues often have gorgeous decor and gardens that are perfect for daytime photos. Consider venues with morning or afternoon availability, and don't be afraid to ask about potential discounts for filling a less popular time slot. You can also ask the venue for recommendations on photographers who have experience with daytime wedding shoots.
No matter the venue, a brunch wedding is a fun and unique way to celebrate your special day. Whether you choose a cosy at-home gathering, a favourite restaurant, or a traditional venue, your guests are sure to enjoy the morning festivities.
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Timing: start early, but don't finish early
A brunch wedding reception is a normal wedding reception that takes place earlier in the day, following a morning ceremony, instead of in the evening. It is a great option for couples who want to save money, as it tends to be less expensive overall than an evening reception. However, it is important to keep in mind that a brunch wedding will change your wedding timeline. The wedding party will need to start getting ready earlier, and you may need to shorten the time for family portraits before the ceremony.
When planning the timing of your brunch wedding, consider your guests. If your guests own their own businesses and work on Saturdays, for example, it might be challenging for them to attend. Also, keep in mind that some guests may not have eaten before arriving, so don't keep them waiting too long for food. You can start with canapé-style pastries and fruity nibbles served with coffee and juices, before moving on to a sit-down meal or buffet.
To make the most of your time, consider having your ceremony and reception at the same venue. This will make it easier to transition to the reception and will save you money on venue fees. If you have a large guest list, a brunch reception is a great way to celebrate with everyone, and then you can have an intimate dinner with close friends and family later in the day.
Although a brunch wedding will likely be more casual than an evening reception, you can still incorporate some glamour and formality. For example, you can have a three-course plated meal with elegant table settings and a small, one-tier wedding cake. As the day progresses, you can transition to the next phase of the reception with your first dance, and a good DJ can be effective in bringing people to the dance floor in the afternoon.
Overall, a brunch wedding reception can be a fun and festive way to celebrate your nuptials, but it does require careful planning to ensure that the timing works for you and your guests.
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Dress code: casual, garden party, or 'brunch glamour'
Dress code: Casual
A casual dress code for a brunch wedding reception is appropriate, given that the event will take place earlier in the day and may feel less formal than an evening reception. You could suggest that guests wear something like slacks and a sports coat or a patterned dress.
Dress code: Garden party
For a garden party dress code, sundresses for ladies and khakis for men are a good option. This dress code indicates a semi-formal event, which is suitable for a brunch wedding reception.
Dress code: Brunch glamour
For a more glamorous brunch wedding reception, you could suggest "summer cocktail" attire. This could include cocktail dresses for ladies and suits for men. However, some people associate cocktail dresses with evening events, so you may want to clarify the dress code on your wedding website.
Planning an after-party
Remember that a brunch wedding reception will likely end earlier in the day, so you may want to plan an after-party to keep the celebrations going. This could be as simple as meeting at a bar or having a pizza dinner with board games and a bonfire.
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Frequently asked questions
You could begin with canapé-style pastries and fruity nibbles served with coffee and juices, before moving on to a sit-down meal. Brunch is also perfectly suited to a buffet, with options like an eggs or pancake/waffle station. For a healthy option, vegetable frittatas are easy and cheap to make and can be done in advance.
Fresh fruit juice is a great addition to your brunch bar menu. Opt for a citrus option, melon-berry option, or a green option. You could also set up a build-your-own mimosa bar, with both alcoholic and mocktail options. Provide coffee to guests upon arrival.
Brunch weddings are usually more casual and intimate, with less dancing and drinking. You can save money by asking a friend to DJ with a Spotify playlist. You could also provide guests with a fun, non-competitive game to participate in at their leisure, like a wedding guest version of I Spy or Bingo, or a quiz with prizes.
Morning weddings may pose a challenge for some guests, depending on their work and family obligations. Be mindful of this when sending out invitations and be very clear about the dress code. You'll also need to convey timelines clearly with your guests, your wedding party, your wedding venue, and all of the vendors you'll be working with.
