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Updated May 15, 2024How to Plan a Mouthwatering Postwedding Brunch Everyone Will Love
Mimosas and pancakes, anyone?
Photograph Courtesy of Silverlake Socialite
Don't want to stop celebrating your love with your friends and family? Then have a postwedding brunch if you're not leaving for your honeymoon right away. An after-wedding brunch is a lovely way to wind down the weekend's festivities. Newlyweds can spend more time with loved ones (especially those from out of town) and thank their guests for attending the nuptials. But planning this extra wedding event doesn't have to be complicated. Thanks to three excellent pros, we have everything you need to create an impressive and tasty wedding brunch.
Everything You Need to Know About a Postwedding Brunch:
What Is It? | How to Plan | Venues | Ideas | Etiquette FAQs
What Is a Postwedding Brunch?
A postwedding brunch is an event that typically happens the morning after the wedding. It's a time for you and your guests to celebrate one final time before leaving your wedding destination. The best is that the newlyweds spend more quality time with their guests. Since the reception has a lot going on, it's difficult to have meaningful conversations with everyone you invited. That's why we love the idea of hosting an after-wedding brunch.
Other names people call the postwedding brunch are "brunch with the newlyweds," "day after wedding brunch," "wedding brunch" and "farewell brunch." Feel free to get creative with what you call your event by making brunch puns (orange you grateful for bottomless brunch?) or combining your and your partner's names with your favorite morning/lunch foods.
How to Plan a Postwedding Brunch
Planning a wedding brunch shouldn't feel like another chore on your nuptial to-do list. Here's how to throw the feast of your dreams, according to experts.
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1. Choose a theme or vibe.
Figuring out how you want your morning to look is key. "The couple should choose a style that fits their personality and visually aligns with the style of their wedding," Lauren Delp, owner of Silverlake Socialite and artisan charcuterie board and grazing table maker, says. In addition, Mattie Engleby, assistant planner of BLB Events, and Brittney Bartling, owner and founder of BLB Events, think newlyweds should determine how formal the morning after the wedding will be. "Couples should first decide what sort of brunch they want to have: fully sit-down where guests order off a menu, buffet-style where guests can come and go, relaxed grab-and-go style, etc."
2. Create a postwedding brunch budget.
"Postwedding brunches can range in price from inexpensive to extravagant, depending on your budget and preferences," Delp explains. Because of this, you and your partner should discuss what kind of food you want, decor, location and more to narrow down how much money you'll need to put towards after-wedding festivities. Since you're already planning a wedding, it should be second nature.
3. Make a guest list.
"Decide who you want to invite to your brunch. Traditionally, couples invite their entire wedding guest list, but you can also choose to have a more intimate gathering," Delp says.
4. Develop a postwedding brunch menu ideas.
Making a delicious menu is crucial for a wedding brunch. We suggest having an even amount of breakfast and lunch options and vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free offerings. And even though mimosas and Bloody Marys are staples at brunches, ensure there's juice, mocktails, coffee and tea for those who don't want to drink alcohol.
And you don't have to plan your postwedding brunch menu alone. Speak with your caterer about what crowd favorites you need to include.
5. Send out postwedding brunch invitations.
"Send out separate invitations for the brunch, so guests can plan accordingly and RSVP before the event," Delp advises. Your invitations can be more causal (maybe even digital) than the ones for your wedding, but you still need to follow the same invitation wording, rules and etiquette.
Wedding Brunch Venues
Finding the right brunch wedding venues near you isn't hard because it's typically more "low-key" than the big day. We suggest renting out your favorite brunch restaurant (you already love the food, so why not?), booking an outdoor space, rooftop, banquet hall or having it in your backyard. Use The Knot Vendor Marketplace for your wedding brunch venue search and discover a place that checks everything off your list, like your must-have brunch foods, vibe, drink menu and proximity to your wedding weekend accommodation.
Wedding Brunch Ideas
See our favorite after-wedding brunch ideas below. We can't guarantee you won't feel hungry after seeing our list.
BBQ Wedding Brunch
Photo: Joe and Jen Photography
If you're hoping for a laid-back wedding brunch menu, serve barbecue. Offer your guests goodies from the grill. Think burgers, hot dogs, bacon, grilled eggs and more. Oh, and don't forget an accompanying beer flight.
Chicken and Waffles After-Wedding Brunch
Photo: Heather & Jared Photography
,Caterer: The Tea Room
There's nothing more classic than fried chicken and waffles. The combination sounds like it wouldn't go together, but it's absolutely delicious.
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Postwedding Brunch Miniature Pies
Photo: Katie Stoops Photography
Serve up some miniature wedding pies at your brunch day after the wedding. Not only are they delicious, but they're also totally Instagrammable.
Morning After the Wedding Acai Bowls
Photo: Christina Mcneill Photography
Is there anything more refreshing than an acai bowl in the morning? We love that it's customizable since you can add different toppings. Offer fresh fruit, granola, nuts, chocolate chips and honey.
Wedding Brunch Individual Charcuterie Boards
Photo: MNC Photography
If you're charcuterie-obsessed, incorporate it into your postwedding brunch. Welcome each guest with a personalized board of goodies they can snack on while they mingle.
Day After Wedding Fast Food
Photo: Briars Atlas
Let's be real: There's nothing quite like fast food after a night of partying. Serve guests fast food from your favorite joint for a fun, laid-back vibe.
Postwedding Brunch Fresh Poke Bowls
Photo: Lorely Meza
If you're hosting a summer wedding, your guests will love munching on refreshing poke bowls. Similar to the acai idea above, get creative with the toppings so no bowl is alike.
Wedding Brunch Wood-Fired Pizza
Photo: Mary Costa Photography
Pizza for brunch is always a good idea. Offer a few different options, like vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and more, so there's something for everyone attending your postwedding event.
After-Wedding Brunch Doughnut Tower
If you missed the doughnut wall trend, no need to worry. Ask your baker to create a tower of your favorite doughnut flavors as a sweet treat before your guests hit the road.
Wedding Brunch Grazing Tables
Photograph Courtesy of Silverlake Socialite
Take the charcuterie board up several notches by having a sweet and savory grazing table. Warning: you won't be able to stop taking pictures of it.
Day After Wedding Brunch Crepe Cake
Photo: Josh Gruetzmacher Photography
Get creative with your postwedding brunch dessert options by having a crepe cake. "I also love a crepe station. It's a unique spin on brunch and a fun way for guests to design their breakfast by choosing sweet fillings like Nutella, whipped cream, and fresh fruit or savory options like ham, cheese and eggs," Delp says.
Elegant Brunch Wedding Mimosa Bar
"For drinks, you can't go wrong with coffee, tea, and mimosas," Engleby and Bartling say. We totally agree, so make sure to have festive cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages. Offer an assortment of fresh juices that can used for drinking solo or mimosas.
Postwedding Brunch Invitation
Okay, we're officially adding "day after detox" to our postwedding brunch name list. Send wedding brunch invitations that promote chill vibes only.
Postwedding Brunch Etiquette: Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions about the postwedding brunch, we're here to help. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the event.
Is a postwedding brunch necessary?
A postwedding brunch is a lovely gesture, but it's definitely not necessary. There are many other festivities associated with your wedding, like the engagement party, wedding shower, bach party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony and reception. We completely understand if you don't want to plan or host an additional event. However, it's a lovely way to connect with more of your guests and share your newlywed bliss.
Who plans the postwedding brunch?
There aren't any rules around who hosts the wedding brunch, so it's fair game for anyone. However, it's common for the couple or their families to host. Regardless, we recommend speaking with the couple directly. That way, you know exactly who they want to invite, where they want to have it, what time they'd like to start and what kind of food they'd like.
Who pays for the postwedding brunch?
Typically, the host pays for the postwedding brunch. If you're hosting the event as a couple, make sure you budget for this event while you're wedding planning.
Who gets invited to the postwedding brunch?
Who gets invited to the after-wedding brunch is up to the couple. You can extend the invitation to everyone who attended the wedding, or keep it to close friends and family. For example, inviting all the out-of-town guests is a nice gesture since they've traveled to attend the nuptials. If you want to keep it small, invite just the wedding party or family members.
What time should the postwedding brunch start?
We suggest starting around nine or 10 a.m. (the earliest) so your wedding guests can get enough sleep but have time to head home. They'll definitely appreciate the extra cushion after all the late-night dancing.
How long should the postwedding brunch last?
"We typically recommend a two-hour brunch. Many couples will host a brunch around 11 a.m.-1 p.m., allowing guests to stop in earlier or later depending on their travel plans that day," Engleby and Bartling notes.
Should your postwedding brunch have a dress code?
It helps your guests know what to wear to the postwedding brunch, but having a dress code isn't required. Check with your chosen brunch venue to see if they have a dress code. If they don't, decide on the guidelines for the event and communicate them to those invited ahead of time. (Psst: We suggest posting this information on the wedding website so it's easily accessible.)
How much does a postwedding brunch cost?
"This will depend on how formal the couple decides to make the brunch and how many people come! In NYC, a more casual come-and-go catered option at a hotel could be around $1,000-$2,500, but a buffet option at a restaurant could be $4,000-$8,000+," Engleby and Bartling explain.
