George Boyle
The wedding reception is referred to as the wedding breakfast because it is the first meal the newly married couple shares together. The term dates back to the 17th century when wedding ceremonies were usually Eucharistic Mass, and the newlyweds would have been fasting before the service. The meal they shared afterward was literally breaking the fast, and the term has stuck ever since. While it may be called a breakfast, the wedding breakfast is unlikely to take place in the morning and is usually a formal lunch or dinner with three courses, toasts, and speeches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology | The term arose because the meal was the first meal the newly married couple would eat together, "breaking their fast" after the wedding ceremony. |
| Timing | The wedding breakfast is usually held after the ceremony and before the reception. It is not necessarily held in the morning, but can be held in the afternoon or evening. |
| Attendees | Only close friends and family are invited to the wedding breakfast, with more guests arriving for the evening reception. |
| Food and drink | The wedding breakfast is a formal meal, usually with three courses, toasts, and speeches. Wine is usually served, and there may also be an artisan craft beer. |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding breakfasts are a British tradition
The wedding breakfast is the meal shared by the newlyweds and their guests after the wedding ceremony. It is usually a formal meal with three courses, toasts, and speeches, and it is followed by the reception. The wedding breakfast is typically held in the middle of the day, after the morning ceremony and before dinner, which is usually served after 4 pm. It is so-called because it is the first meal the couple shares together, and it is when they, and their guests, break their fast. In pre-Reformation times, the wedding service was a Eucharistic Mass, and the newlyweds would have been fasting before the ceremony to be eligible to receive Holy Communion. After the ceremony, the priest would bless and distribute wine, cakes, and sweetmeats, which were then shared among the guests, including the newlyweds, who would have been fasting.
The wedding breakfast is the main eating event of the day, and it is customary to serve wine with the meal. The usual order of the day is the ceremony, followed by a drinks reception, the wedding breakfast, and then the arrival of the evening guests. It is considered rude to leave a wedding halfway through, and guests are expected to stay until at least the first dance, which is generally around 8 or 9 pm.
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It's the first meal eaten by the newlyweds as a married couple
The wedding reception is called a wedding breakfast because it is the first meal eaten by the newlyweds as a married couple. The term dates back to the 17th century when wedding ceremonies were usually part of a Eucharistic Mass, and so the couple would have been fasting before the service. The meal they shared afterward was literally breaking the fast. Although wedding breakfasts are not usually morning meals today, the name has stuck around out of respect for tradition.
The wedding breakfast is the main eating event of the day and is usually a formal meal with three courses, toasts, and speeches. It is typically only for those closest to the couple, with more guests arriving in the evening for the reception. The wedding breakfast is followed by the first dance, cutting the cake, drinking, and dancing until late.
The usual order of the day is the ceremony, followed by a drinks reception, and then the wedding breakfast. This is followed by the arrival of evening guests, the first dance, and the cutting of the cake. Drinking and dancing continue into the night, and guests are often provided with a bar or welcome drink options.
The wedding breakfast is a chance for guests to break their fast between the ceremony and the wedding dinner. It is not typical to serve breakfast foods, but rather a classic buffet, party nibbles, or canapes to snack on.
The wedding breakfast is a beloved tradition that has persisted through the ages, providing sustenance and celebration for the newlyweds and their guests. It is a time-honored custom that adds a unique touch to the wedding day, creating lasting memories for all involved.
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It's a feast for the newlyweds and guests after the ceremony
The wedding reception is called a wedding breakfast because it is the first meal shared by the newlyweds after the ceremony. The term dates back to the 17th century when wedding ceremonies were usually Eucharistic Mass, and the newlyweds would have been fasting before the service. The meal they shared afterward was literally breaking the fast.
The wedding breakfast is usually a formal meal with three courses, toasts, and speeches. It is often followed by the cutting of the cake, drinking, and dancing until late. It is considered rude to leave a wedding halfway through, and guests are expected to stay until at least the couple's first dance.
The wedding breakfast is also the main eating event of the day for the guests. It is usually a sit-down meal of a minimum of three courses or a buffet at a more casual affair. However, there is now a huge range of options for food, from street food trucks and grazing tables to hog roasts.
The wedding breakfast is typically only for those closest to the couple, with more guests arriving for the evening reception. It is also common for there to be a drinks reception before the wedding breakfast, with champagne or another sparkling wine, to ensure guests don't get hungry between the ceremony and the meal.
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It's a meal after the wedding ceremony and before the evening reception
The wedding breakfast is a meal that takes place after the wedding ceremony and before the evening reception. It is typically not a breakfast meal, despite its name, and usually involves a formal lunch or dinner with three courses, toasts, and speeches. It is often followed by the cutting of the cake and dancing. The term "wedding breakfast" is mainly used in British English and dates back to the 17th century when wedding ceremonies were part of Eucharistic Mass, requiring the newlyweds to fast before the service. Thus, the meal they shared afterward was literally "breaking the fast."
Today, the wedding breakfast is an important part of the wedding day, providing nourishment for the wedding party and guests who may have gone without food since breakfast. It is usually a buffet-style meal with drinks, although it can also be a sit-down meal with multiple courses. The wedding breakfast is often the first meal the newly married couple shares together, making it a special and memorable occasion.
The wedding breakfast is typically a more intimate gathering, with only close friends and family invited. It is considered rude to leave during the wedding breakfast, as it is an important part of the day. Evening guests usually arrive after the wedding breakfast, and there may be a drinks reception to welcome them before the main evening reception begins. This reception often includes a bar, with drinks provided by the couple or available for purchase by the guests.
The wedding breakfast is a time-honored tradition that has evolved to suit modern tastes and preferences. While the name may be confusing, especially for non-British individuals, it holds a special place in wedding traditions, providing a moment for the couple and their guests to celebrate and create lasting memories.
The meal offers a chance for guests to mingle and socialize, and it is often the focal point of the day, with many activities and rituals centered around it. From the breaking of the fast to the cutting of the cake, the wedding breakfast is a significant part of the wedding experience, bringing people together in a celebration of love and unity.
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It's a lunch, not breakfast
The wedding reception, or wedding breakfast, is the first meal shared by the newlyweds after the ceremony. In the past, wedding ceremonies were often Eucharistic Masses, requiring the newlyweds to fast before the service. The meal that followed was the couple's first meal, and so the name "wedding breakfast" was born.
Despite the name, the wedding breakfast is not usually a morning meal and rarely resembles a typical breakfast. In fact, it is more akin to a lunch or luncheon, and is the main meal of the day. It is usually a formal, sit-down meal with three courses, toasts, and speeches, and is often followed by the cutting of the cake.
The wedding breakfast is typically only attended by the couple's closest friends and family. It is considered rude to leave before the first dance, which takes place early in the evening, but many guests will stay beyond this point. The wedding reception, which includes a greater number of guests, follows the wedding breakfast.
The wedding breakfast is a British tradition, and the name may be confusing to those outside the UK. While the meal is no longer a breakfast, the name has stuck, and it continues to be known as such.
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Frequently asked questions
The term wedding breakfast dates back to the 17th century when wedding ceremonies were usually part of Eucharistic Mass, and so newlyweds would have been fasting before the service. The meal they shared after the ceremony was literally breaking the fast.
No, the wedding breakfast is not usually a morning meal. It is the main eating event of the day, usually a formal lunch with three courses, toasts, and speeches.
The wedding breakfast is unlikely to include breakfast foods like avo on toast or scrambled eggs with salmon. It is usually a formal meal with three courses, toasts, and speeches. However, there is now a huge range of options, from street food trucks and grazing tables to hog roasts.
The wedding breakfast is usually a smaller gathering than the evening reception. Only close friends and family are invited, usually fewer than 60 people.
After the wedding breakfast, there is usually a break for photos, followed by the arrival of the evening guests, the cutting of the cake, and drinking and dancing until late.
