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Updated Oct 14, 2024How to Throw a Brunch Wedding Reception That'll Rival an Evening Bash
Add some OJ to that champagne.
PSA: Weddings don't have to extend into the wee hours to be fun and celebratory. That's why a brunch wedding is a great option for early-bird couples. Pancakes, mimosas and good times with loved ones—brunch culture is a much-beloved thing, with good reason. If you're a fan of brunch in day-to-day life, why not bring out some toast along with your champagne toast?
Personalizing your wedding comes down to more than just picking unique details; your overall wedding theme should reflect you and your partner's relationship. And if you both prefer a bloody mary and eggs benny in the morning sunshine over a bustling bar at midnight, you can absolutely carry that over to your nuptials. Below, we're breaking down how to pull off a brunch wedding reception that feels fun and festive, with expert intel on the topic.
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Definition | Ideas | Venues | Planning Advice | FAQ
What Is a Brunch Wedding?
A brunch wedding reception is simply a normal wedding reception that takes place earlier in the day (following a morning ceremony) instead of the evening and that serves a brunch meal instead of dinner. Essentially, think of it as a normal wedding with all of the classic trappings just moved up by a few hours. Don't confuse a brunch wedding with a postwedding brunch: The latter takes place the day after the wedding as a final thank you and farewell to guests.
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Wedding Brunch Ideas
Let these creative brunch wedding ideas inspire your own festive fete. From brunch wedding menu ideas to thematic centerpieces and decor, these tidbits from real weddings are great reference points as you get to work planning your own brunch wedding ceremony and reception.
1. Reception Tea Bar
If coffee isn't quite your thing, then put together a custom tea bar with your favorite varieties. Set out some rock candy as a creative sweetener.
2. Mini Chicken and Waffles Hors d'Oeuvres
Chicken and waffles are a classic choice for wedding brunch food. However, the dish can be a little messy to eat, which is why serving mini versions as passed apps is a great option.
3. Fresh Fruit Muffins as Wedding Cake Alternative
Instead of ceremonially cutting a cake, this couple sliced into fresh fruit muffins at their morning nuptials. Keep extras on hand for guests to munch on.
4. Photo Booth Reception Activity
Some guests might not feel as inclined to get down on the dance floor at a brunch wedding, so having other reception activities will keep the party going. A photo booth in a retro trailer feels whimsical, fun and will give attendees a sweet keepsake that's sure to garner a cute brunch Instagram caption.
5. Pale Pastels and Paper Lanterns
A soft color palette balanced with natural textures feels fitting for an elegant brunch wedding. Feathery greenery, linen textiles, subtle natural-wood accents and crinkly paper lanterns are lovely additions to a daytime soiree.
6. Simple Ribbon Wedding Invitations
Photo: The Knot Invitations
Simple and sweet brunch invitations are the way to go, since a brunch bash will most likely be a touch more casual than an evening affair. This invite with a delicate bow framing your wedding details will do the job wonderfully.
7. Fresh Bananas and Coconuts as Centerpieces
Even your decor should have a brunchy feel to it. This lounge area was decked out with a decorative, tropical fresh-fruit platter.
8. Fresh Juice Bar
Whether or not you accompany it with champagne for mimosas and bellinis, fresh fruit juice is a great addition to your brunch bar menu. Opt for a citrus option, melon-berry option and a green option to round out the selection.
9. Açai Bowl Bar
Guests will love an açai bowl bar where they can customize their toppings. Stock up this wow-worthy reception food idea with nut butters, fresh fruit and crunchy bits like nuts, hemp seeds and granola.
10. Single-Tier Wedding Cake With Lemon Accents
Even if you aren't serving cake at your brunch wedding, chances are you'd still like to ceremonially cut one. If that's the case, commission a petite single-tier bake, decorated with on-theme details, for the reception.
11. Chinoiserie China
Something about classic blue-and-white Chinoiserie china feels like having brunch at a coastal grandmother's gracious home (you know, someone who'd be played by Meryl Streep in a movie). Use this elegant serveware to bring a homey, but sophisticated feel to your wedding.
12. Citrus Centerpiece
Fresh citrus may be on your menu for eating, but it can also work as vibrant decor. It feels like a fancy bowl of fruit set at the center of a breakfast table in the best way.
13. Green-and-Orange Foliage Centerpiece
When it comes to selecting a brunch-wedding palette, focus on cheerful colors that'll brighten your morning soiree. Warm orange and pale peach are ideal for the fall.
14. Cheerful Yellow Wedding Bouquet
Bright yellow blooms gave this bouquet a sunburst-like feel. And the flowing blue ribbon looks like an afternoon blue sky.
15. Lawn Games for Guest Entertainment
Backyard brunch wedding? Lawn games like bocce, croquet and cornhole are excellent daytime ways to keep guests entertained.
16. Parasol Wedding Favors
If your brunch wedding is taking place outdoors, parasols are a practical and pretty wedding favor. Imagine guests swanning around with a bellini in hand and a parasol in the other—perfect.
17. Bouquet With Chamomile Blooms
If you're serving tea at your wedding, chamomile may be on the menu. However, the adorable flower would also work nicely in a brunch wedding bouquet.
18. Infused Water Station Outside Ceremony
Guests at this morning wedding were greeted by an infused water station. They had the choice between cucumber water and lemon-mint water.
19. Coffee Mug Favors
You can use coffee mugs as both escort cards (seating assignments were on tags attached to these) and wedding favors. Mugs are also especially fitting if you have an espresso station positioned nearby.
20. Fresh Oyster Bar
Especially on the East Coast, oysters are a must at brunch. Bonus points if you have the catering team shuck them on-site for guests.
21. Doughnut Tower
If a doughnut wall isn't your thing, go with a doughnut tower like this couple did. Display additional pastries and treats on nearby platters.
22. Fresh Berry Tarts
Bite-sized berry tarts added tasty freshness to the menu at this wedding. They're the perfect daytime dessert.
23. Chocolate Milk Sips
Since this couple skipped having a wedding cake, they added a cake topper to glass bottles of chocolate milk instead. But you can easily position these in an ice bucket and have a regular wedding cake too.
24. Homemade Jam Wedding Favors
Guests departed this couple's country-inspired wedding with jars of homemade jam. You can also place them at guests' seats for them to slather on toast, pancakes and waffles.
25. Spunky, Minimal Wedding Cake
The ikebana flowers sprouting from this simple wedding cake make it feel modern and casual. The shorter tiers feel more brunch wedding-appropriate than those of a massive confection.
26. Flower Girl Baskets
If you're having flower girls or flower children, have them carry baskets filled with flowers and citrus instead of just petals. The combination brings to mind summer sunshine.
27. Bubble Tea Bar
A bubble tea bar is a creative twist on afternoon tea. Set it up so guests can just grab a glass (like in this example) or let them choose their boba, tea flavor and mix-ins for a custom sip.
28. Honey Pot Escort Cards
Honey is both a classic and brunch-appropriate wedding favor option. Bonus points if it's produced locally!
How to Find Brunch Wedding Venues Near You
Yes, you can Google "brunch wedding venues near me," but that's not always the best way to find a locale for your morning nuptials. First, chat with your wedding planner about the types of venues that would lend themselves well to a brunch wedding. For example, an outdoor garden with a good amount of shade, a restaurant where finding wedding brunch menu ideas will be a breeze or a small events space flooded with gorgeous natural light. Then, head to The Knot Vendor Marketplace, where you can filter by venue type or special features, like if the locale has outdoor space, a rooftop, restaurant, an option for a tent and more.
How to Plan a Brunch Wedding Reception
Once you've decided that a brunch wedding is the best thing for you and your S.O., it's time to learn how to have a brunch wedding. Beyond the obvious difference in timing, there are quite a few nuances of a brunch wedding that are unlike those of traditional afternoon weddings that you'll need to consider. Hiring an event planner who has extensive experience with brunch wedding reception is a great way to ensure that no detail, no matter how small, is overlooked during the wedding planning process.
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1. Consult With VIPs and Family
As soon as loved ones hear of your engagement, they'll likely assume that the wedding will be taking place during the afternoon or evening. Hosting a brunch wedding will affect when people can come into town, as many people may need to arrive the night before instead of the morning of. So, consult with guest list VIPs and your closest family members before settling on a brunch time frame. And, once you've made the decision to host a brunch event, make sure you clearly communicate that to all parties involved so they know to expect an early-morning affair, even before they see the details laid out in the invitation.
2. Nail Down Your Timeline
Beyond affecting guest arrivals, a brunch wedding will totally change your wedding timeline. The wedding party generally begins getting ready for the big day at least five hours prior to the ceremony, so that might mean an early wake-up call. Additionally, it may make sense to shorten the amount of time you set aside for family portraits before the ceremony and instead tack some of those onto the tail end of the event.
The difference in timing for photos also means that the sun will be in a different spot in the sky, which makes a big difference. Instead of evening "golden hour" photos, your photographer will be tasked with capturing images under harsh direct sunlight during the morning or early afternoon. "Photographing a brunch wedding is drastically different than photographing a more 'typical' afternoon or evening wedding," explains Amanda Donaho of Amanda Donaho Photography in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Hire a photographer who has extensive experience dealing with harsh midday sun who you can fully trust to make your images look beautiful."
The timing of your event will also be affected by the decision to host a brunch. "An earlier day ensures a tight turnaround but doesn't make anything impossible—you merely have to keep this in mind while planning," advises Laura Maddox, owner of Magnolia Celebrates in Roswell, Georgia. "If the space is available the night before to start your decor, take advantage of this. Otherwise, keep in mind you may need to pay for extra labor in many areas to make the short load-in timeframe doable."
3. Source a Caterer
When you're communicating with caterers, ask if they've had extensive experience planning brunch weddings. If so, ask for sample menus of their offerings. This is a great first step, since it'll give you a general idea of where their head is at when they first hear the word "brunch." It's also smart to inquire about what signature dishes in their repertoire they'd think would make great additions to a brunch affair that you might not even think of. They're culinary pros, they WILL have some excellent suggestions. Lastly, confirm they're able to put together a stellar version of any must-have dishes that come to mind for you.
4. Determine Your Menu
The unique menu possibilities are one of the biggest differentiators with a brunch wedding reception. But remember: You should still serve a full meal. "Make sure you have filling options for food. Just because it's brunch does not mean people aren't coming hungry," says Maddox.
To start, think of your favorite breakfast foods and brunch foods, and then collaborate with your caterer on what might be doable. For example, a French toast bar with all your favorite toppings is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Some other yummy options? Waffles, bagels, frittatas, omelets, fresh fruit, doughnuts and croissants are all solid brunch foods.
While Maddox suggests having ample food options, she goes on to note that you needn't have a full bar at a brunch wedding reception. "Keep the bar light—you don't need a full bar for brunch. Should you want to serve alcohol, you can stick with simple mimosas, Bloody Marys or another brunch cocktail, but there is no need for a full open bar." To give guests flexibility with their beverages, consider stations similar to the food stations you're including. "Coffee is going to be an important part of your menu, and this is a chance to really go for it," says Jamie Chang, destination wedding planner and owner of Mango Muse Events in Los Altos, California. "So, do the full-blown espresso drinks and coffee station where people can order lattes and other drinks. Your guests will love it, and you can even have your favorite coffee drinks all lined up like you would at a bar." In addition to a customized coffee station, a fruit juice selection for mimosas and bellinis is a fun option. Or if you want something a bit stronger, a Bloody Mary bar or screwdriver bar may be the way to go.
5. Figure Out Entertainment/Activities
"Plan on additional reception entertainment outside of dancing," suggests Nora Sheills, founder of Bridal Bliss in Lake Oswego, Oregon. "Guests are more hesitant to dance when it's light out, so consider a caricature artist, live string musicians or lawn games instead."
6. Consider an After-Party
Since the brunch wedding reception will conclude while the day is still young, take advantage of the extra few hours (and perhaps the time for a nap in between) for an after-party. Leah Weinberg, owner and creative director of Color Pop Events in Long Island City, New York, encourages to-be-weds to "have a plan for afterward. Since a brunch wedding is going to end much earlier in the day than an evening wedding, I suggest having a plan for what happens after. Whether it's keeping the party going at a bar, going out to dinner or letting everyone know that you're going back to the hotel to crash, don't leave guests wondering, 'what's next?'"
Brunch Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
You're now armed with inspiration and marching orders on how to execute your brunch wedding alongside your pro planner. Have just a couple more questions? We thought so—we're answering them below.
What to Wear to a Brunch Wedding
A short wedding dress or pastel-hued suit is a good option for a brunch wedding. Encourage guests to wear something like slacks and a sports coat or a patterned dress. As with all weddings, it's important to settle on a level of formality and go from there when selecting attire. Generally speaking, because of the time of day, a brunch wedding may tend to feel a bit less formal than an evening reception.
How Much Does a Wedding Brunch Cost?
While the overall cost of a brunch wedding depends on your location, vendors and other specific choices, these events will be less expensive overall than evening receptions. Just as weekday weddings or off season weddings are less expensive because they are less common, the same logic applies to brunch weddings.
What To Do After a Brunch Wedding?
Plan an after-party to give guests an option to keep celebrating after your brunch wedding. It can be as simple as a pizza dinner with board games and a bonfire or a brewery meetup. And if you're ready to hit the hay, consider providing guests with a curated list of fun ways to spend the evening in your wedding location—especially if it's a major city where attendees are likely to stay the night.
