Planning a Wedding Brunch

Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day, so why not serve it at your wedding? Cut costs and free up the evening by hosting a morning wedding ceremony followed by brunch. Not only is brunch easier on the purse strings, it’ll give you a head start on your honeymoon. The event can be as lavish or relaxed as you desire with these easy tips…

Set the Mood: Choose a wedding venue carefully for your morning soiree that creates the right atmosphere for a fun or formal brunch. Brunch usually takes place between 11am and 2pm so be sure to visit the venue in the morning or afternoon before booking it so you can see how it will appear in the daylight. Does it let in natural sunlight, feel dark and gloomy, or heat up too quickly? Think about the season of your wedding, as well, in order to select a place that will make sense with the weather. Wide windows might provide a majestic view in the autumn, but have guests burning up in the summer. A fireplace keeps things cozy during the winter, but might seem out of place come spring.

Coffee Hour: In lieu of a cocktail hour before the meal, allow guests some time to sip gourmet coffee and munch on little nibblers while they visit with one another. Keep it classy by serving up fancy bite-sized breakfast eats, such as scrambled egg tartlets, petite scones, or miniature quiches.

Main Event: Brunch provides a bevy of options when it comes to selecting and serving the meal. A multi-course meal, served with champagne, adds a more formal feel to the day, while a buffet pleases palates and keeps things casual. For an unusual and exciting culinary option, set up individual food stations, such as a waffle or crepe bar loaded with toppings, a choose-your-own omelet stand, or a meat carving station.

Cocktail Accompaniments: Provide guests with alcoholic options without worrying about any out-of-control partying. A brunch reception saves serious funds since people tend to drink much less earlier in the day. Offer guests a tasty array of breakfast-inspired cocktails, such as mimosas, bloody marys, mint juleps, or bellinis.

Sweet Endings: Just because you’re offering brunch doesn’t mean you have to forgo dessert. Serve up traditional wedding cake in lighter flavors, such as carrot, lemon, or angel food cake, or opt for an assortment of sweet breakfast pastries, like warm cinnamon rolls, fruit danishes, or chocolate croissants.