Brunch Wedding Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Tidbits

In recent years, daytime and weekday weddings have grown in popularity. As engaged couples rushed to reschedule the celebrations they had put off during the pandemic, the trend of scheduling non-traditional event timings took off in 2021. The availability of evening and weekend weddings gradually became unavailable, frequently at prohibitive prices, leading many couples to reconsider their initial plans. Some couples choose to get married in a unique location or during the week to avoid delaying it any longer. Instead, other soon-to-be couples held brunch weddings.

This essay will show why unconventional event schedules are here to stay rather than merely be a fad. We're reviewing everything you need about brunch weddings, from costs and planning to the benefits and drawbacks. You've come to the correct spot if you're searching for timeline advice, food suggestions, or dos and don'ts for décor.

How is a brunch wedding different from a traditional wedding?

A dedicated pair, at least one witness, and a strong vow are the three things that all weddings have in common, regardless of whether they occur in the morning, the evening, or the middle of the night. However, the ceremony schedule can significantly impact who can attend and what you can do during a wedding.

Brunch weddings are perfect for couples who wish to do things differently because they differ from traditional nighttime nuptials in several ways. What distinguishes them?

• Time: Compared to other weddings, brunch weddings begin considerably earlier. The ceremony occurs in the morning, and the event concludes in the late afternoon rather than in the afternoon or evening.
• Length: Typically lasting two to four hours, brunch weddings are shorter than traditional nuptials. Weddings in the evening usually last between five and seven hours.
• Atmosphere: Brunch weddings are typically more relaxed than evening gatherings because it may feel inappropriate to wear a satin gown or other ostentatious formal attire early in the morning. The relaxed vibe of this supper is one of the things that makes your wedding so special, even though it can be as formal as you wish.

What's the big deal about Brunch? 

Getting married early in the morning has several advantages besides being fashionable. Consider holding a brunch wedding if you're on a limited budget or schedule, as they are typically:

• Easier to book

Finding a space available on a desired date can be challenging because popular wedding venues are reserved far in advance. It may be simpler to discover a location if you book outside of the busiest dates, particularly if you broaden your search to include unusual wedding locations. If you have a specific wedding date (or a few chosen dates) in mind but cannot locate an available area, you should inquire about brunch availability.

• Less expensive

Budget-conscious couples can organize a brunch wedding to reduce expenses such as food and entertainment and save money on venue rental. Overall, breakfast food is less expensive than supper, with popular evening dinners (prime rib or seafood) costing far more than eggs, pastries, and breakfast meat. Out-of-town guests may save money on travel by attending an early ceremony, allowing them to reserve one hotel night rather than two.

• Fantastic for family time 

The newlyweds have plenty of free time because brunch weddings usually end by two or three in the afternoon. After the reception, get your closest loved ones together and continue the celebration at another venue. In the summer, go to the beach, meet for a game of frames at the bowling alley, or return home for relaxing lawn sports.

• Helpful for the honeymoon

Even though late-night receptions that evolve into pre-dawn after-parties are a lot of fun, they may be a hassle the next day, particularly if you have an early flight. If you don't overdo it the night before, hosting a brunch wedding shouldn't leave you feeling overtired or hungover the following day!

Is there a downside to hosting a brunch wedding? 

Even though we adore brunch weddings, not everyone fits them well. Before you reserve a date and make deposits, there are a few things to think about.

1. You'll have to wake up early 

Brunch weddings might not be for you if you're not a morning person. When creating the timetable, remember that most wedding parties get together four to five hours before the ceremony to start getting ready. You will likely witness the dawn, even if the ritual does not begin until 10 a.m. Your brunch wedding's day-of schedule could resemble this:

• 5:00 a.m.: Begin preparing (hair, makeup, etc.)
• The ceremony starts at 10:30 a.m. Ceremony conclusion, cocktail hour beginning, and wedding picture break
• 11:30 a.m. Brunch is served, which includes talks and food.
• 12:30 p.m. Games, entertainment, and dancing
• 2:00 p.m.: Departure

2. Lighting conditions are harsher

Since the "Golden Hour" only happens twice a day, an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset, hosting a brunch wedding could mean missing out on the time that wedding photographers adore. Couples are exposed to direct sunshine in the late morning and early afternoon, which can significantly deteriorate the lighting.

3. Timeline trimming may be necessary   

To save time, you might need to eliminate some traditional wedding components because brunch receptions are shorter. Speeches, individual dances, and cocktail hours may also need to be shortened, depending on the venue's availability and scheduling constraints.

4. You might miss out on the party 

Throughout the day, our enthusiasm and energy levels change, and most of us wait until the evening to relax and let loose. Remember that you can completely miss out on dancing if your visitors feel more at ease doing the Cha Cha Slide in the chill of the night than immediately after breakfast.

Where to host your brunch wedding

Engaged couples can have greater creative control over the layout and décor of their wedding by hosting a brunch. Depending on your idea, budget, and guest list size, numerous venue options could host the event.

• Eateries. Not surprisingly, our eateries are at the top of the brunch wedding list. Some restaurants provide full-scale event services for business gatherings, holiday parties, and weddings, while others offer small event packages for meetings and private parties. Look into local businesses to determine whether they offer wedding packages or event services. For total seclusion, think of reserving the entire restaurant or holding the ceremony and reception in different locations, such as the patio and a private banquet room.
• Lodgings. Hotels, one of our favorite all-in-one wedding locations, are great for couples who want to host a brunch reception. The ideal hotel can easily host a high-end wedding with its overnight accommodations, cuisine, and event space.
• Greenhouses and Gardens. Organize a creative brunch wedding in a botanical museum, community garden, or greenhouse. Say "I do" while surrounded by exotic flowers and rich vegetation, or throw a brunch a la garden party style outside beneath the trees, where the sun will be beaming.
• Parks. Contact the town hall or the local parks and recreation department to inquire about holding your wedding in a public park, garden, or event pavilion. Verify reservation guidelines, costs, and permit specifications (such as time, noise level, and guest count) to determine which local parks meet your wedding needs.
• Your backyard. To save money, circumvent venue constraints, and maintain complete control over your event, throw a brunch-themed wedding in your backyard. With a few tables, chairs, and well-placed decorations, you can easily transform a large backyard into a charming, cozy ceremony venue.

Brunch wedding ideas your guests will love

It's not necessary to spend a fortune organizing a brunch wedding. Organize a sophisticated and novel event with:

• Welcome bags with personalization. When visitors arrive, give them a welcome bag to set the mood for a marvelous and unforgettable day. Add a program of the day's activities and brunch-themed gifts, such as personalized tea bags or commemorative coffee sleeves.
• Power-ups after the ceremony. Despite their evident excitement for you, some visitors will likely feel drowsy, and a few will still be grouchy—surprise guests with coffee carts and a post-ceremony pick-me-up before the reception.
• Centerpieces with fresh foliage. We all love Brunch because of its delicious cuisine, effervescent drinks, and pleasant aromas, which go perfectly with freshly cut flowers and lush greenery. Use fern accents and eucalyptus centerpieces to liven up any tablecloth, vining ivy, and hardy succulents to create living décor. Look for inexpensive, simple flowers and arrangements to keep or make yourself.
• A farewell bubble of soap. Urge everyone present to take part in a spectacular farewell party. Distribute bubble wands as the reception comes to a close. Requests that guests form a trail and blow bubbles as the newlyweds leave the wedding.

Building a brunch menu that will impress your guests

Brunch offers a delicious blend of traditional breakfast and heartier midday fare, combining the best of both worlds. Because of its great flexibility, couples can experiment with their food and reception setup. A buffet with your favorite brunch fare or a family-style gathering will be a success.

• Eggs Benedict

With its various varieties, eggs Benedict is a technically challenging yet deviously delicious dish that will wow your wedding guests. Don't be scared to experiment with the traditional Eggs Benedict breakfast favorite, which consists of poached eggs, asparagus, and ham on top of English muffins covered with hollandaise sauce. Are you arranging a beachfront wedding? Use old bay cream sauce instead of pork and hollandaise sauce for crab cakes.

• Chicken and waffle bites

As delicate as they are tasty, these finger snacks are a sophisticated, miniature take on the brunch mainstay, chicken and waffles. Serve skewered Nashville hot chicken and waffle pieces with candied jalapeños to add a fresh twist to the traditional recipe, or energize guests with these protein-rich snacks from With Love Joey.

• Fabulous fruit displays 

Any well-rounded breakfast must include fruit, from tart citrus-like oranges and grapefruit to juicy pomes like apples and pears. Arrange whole fruits in ornamental containers to create eye-catching, edible centerpieces, or use bright fruit slices to create magnificent, multicolored arrangements.

• Food and drink bars 

Reception service is streamlined by build-your-own (BYO) food bars, which simplify serving customers and replenishing supplies fast, for breakfast favorites like waffles, oatmeal, and omelets, set up a big BYO bar or a number of smaller stations that offer a single dish each.

Smoothie bars: Although these mixed drinks are a delicious treat at any time of day, they pair exceptionally well with Brunch. Invite visitors to enjoy a deliciously refreshing fruit smoothie as they cool off.

Oyster bars: Adding ice and fresh, ethically farmed oysters can transform a canoe or small boat into an upscale outdoor oyster bar.

Cocktail bars: Like "I" and "do," cocktails and Brunch go hand in hand. Making mimosas, the classic brunch beverage, is quick and simple. Create a mimosa bar with champagne and freshly squeezed juice, or choose another specialty drink, such as Bloody Mary's or Bellini's. If you decide to serve tomatoes, encourage visitors to experiment with unusual garnishes, such as tiny sliders, filled olives, and full bacon slices.

Seven tips for planning a stress-free brunch wedding

Approach the planning process with the same positive enthusiasm you want your guests to have during the wedding. Keep a thorough calendar, be organized, and heed these suggestions.

1. Speak with VIPs at the wedding. Before deciding on a date, make sure that key friends, relatives, and prospective wedding party members can attend a brunch wedding. Send out Save the Dates as soon as possible to let invitees know if you have a tight wedding planning schedule.

2. Seek out a location with integrated décor. Even the most basic wedding sets can benefit from a well-decorated dining room or elaborate patio, which can make a limited amount of money for decorations go further. Choose a location with a gorgeous interior design to streamline your event setup and save preparation time.

3. Decide on a straightforward ornamental design. Choosing a theme for your wedding will help you select décor, create an eye-catching event design, and more. Use a straightforward citrus motif as décor to create a warm and romantic ambiance. To create adaptable centrepieces that go well with modern and rustic designs, arrange lemon slices in a jar and cover them with artificial flowers. For sophisticated, low-maintenance wedding décor, include whole fruit, citrus patterns, and fresh flowers on your tables capes.

4. Look for flowers that are in season. To save money on your wedding flowers, choose seasonal ones. Research which wildflowers are in season throughout the year in your location, or get bids for seasonal aisle markers and centerpieces from nearby florists.

5. Make the ideal playlist for your wedding. For a brunch wedding, creating a playlist might be more manageable than hiring a live band or DJ. Create the perfect wedding day playlist with your significant other, then work with the location to determine how to set it up.

6. Decorate the evening before if you can. Don't put off all the setup until the big day because you already have to get up early to get ready. To make things easier the morning of your wedding, ask if you can finish a partial setup if the location is accessible the night before.

7. Don't drink too much alcohol. Keep the bar slightly lighter than you would for an evening event, but you can serve cocktails during a brunch wedding. After the reception, attendees will have the evening ahead of them because it begins and concludes early. To reduce overindulgence, consider having a partially open bar rather than a fully open one. Give each guest two or three free drink tickets, which they can redeem for the trademark cocktail of your brunch wedding, a Bloody Mary or mimosas.

Brunch wedding FAQs

What time do brunch weddings start? 

The overall schedule of the event usually determines the start time of brunch weddings. Brunch gatherings typically begin as early as 11:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. Depending on the length of the service, cocktail hour, and other related festivities, the ceremony may begin between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

What do you wear to a brunch wedding?

Most brunch weddings call for cocktail or casual attire because wearing formal wear so early in the day seems inappropriate. Guests attending a brunch wedding should expect a laid-back vibe and a semi-formal or casual dress requirement unless specified in the invites.

Now you can decide if a brunch wedding is proper for you.

Given all the benefits, it's simple to understand why brunch weddings have grown in popularity. You may now determine whether an early afternoon event suits your preferences after learning about the highs and lows of organizing one.

Are you still experiencing problems locating a location that is open on weekends? Think of getting married during the week. The benefits and drawbacks of weekday weddings are then discussed, along with why some couples find them ideal.