If a bride and groom are early birds, they may choose to have a morning wedding and brunch reception. Brunch weddings can be more cost effective and relaxed than evening celebrations, but they still require the same level of creative planning. Here’s your guide to throwing the perfect morning ceremony.
The Timing
Brunch receptions are typically scheduled between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the ceremony happening right before. Prefer walking down the aisle no earlier than 10 a.m., though, since not all guests will love the early morning wake-up call. To make sure everyone feels comfortable and welcome, set up a coffee cart, pastry trays, or other treats to ease guests into the morning.
The Venue
Brunch weddings are typically smaller and more casual than evening celebrations, so the bride and groom can be flexible with the venue. Popular locations include gardens, greenhouses, an outdoor patio at a restaurant, or your very own backyard. Something rustic and picnic-esque works well for an early afternoon party, which will make the event feel like a formal BBQ.
A garden or a greenhouse is a great venue option for a brunch wedding.
A sea garden is a great idea to enjoy sea breeze, sea views and feel at ease at the same time.
Prefer more casual and less formal decor for your brunch wedding.
A wedding picnic is a great alternative to a usual brunch wedding.
Attire
Morning wedding ceremonies and brunch receptions are inherently more casual. The bride might choose to rock a more relaxed gown, with a shorter length, minimal train, or more casual fabric. Men tend to wear lighter colored suits for daytime ceremonies as well.
A romantic lace mermaid wedding dress with a high neckline and a train, the groom wearign grey pants, a waistcoat and a tie.
A romantic bridal gown with a lace illusion bodice, a layered skirt, the groom wearing a waistcoat and pants plus a floral tie.
A very casual bridal separate with an off-white top and a blush layered amxi skirt for a brunch wedding.
A plain underdress and a lace overdress with longer sleeves and a skirt for a casual look.
A lace embroidered wedding gown with an illusion neckline and long sleeves.
A casual wedding separate of a maxi skirt on buttons, a long sleeve top and burgundy platform shoes.
A modern bridal separate with a lace pencil skirt and a plain high neck top with no sleeves.
A lace separate with a crop top and a midi skirt plus brown peep toe booties.
A romantic lace midi wedding dress with an illusion neckline and short sleeves, laser cut shoes and a white floral crown.
A halter neckline wedding dress with side cutouts and a strappy back, simple accessories and loose hair.
Food And Drinks
At a brunch wedding, brides and grooms can get creative with the menu. Guests probably don’t want a hearty meal only hours after waking up, so instead serve a light buffet with a mix of different breakfast and lunch foods. Classic breakfast staples like bacon, smoked salmon, and scrambled eggs are always popular choices, but a brunch wedding opens itself up to fun items; consider having an omelette or waffle station, mini breakfast sandwiches, a cereal bar, or French toast dippers.
Since most guests will drink less at brunch receptions, a full open bar isn’t necessary (but it’s totally acceptable, if the couple wants one). Instead, a couple can serve typical brunch-style cocktails, like mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, screwdrivers, and sangria. Landman suggests having a Bloody Mary bar or a “bubble bar,” which offers different types of champagne with berries.
A bubbly bar is a cool and relaxed idea for a brunch wedding, no need for strong alcohol.
Offer breakfast food, for example, make a yogurt bar with various fruits.
A waffle bar is another cool idea for a brunch wedding, many people love waffles.
A mimosa bar is another cool idea for a bar at the wedding, rock one for sure.
A pizza buffet is a great idea to rock at any wedding, everybody loves pizza.
The Cake
Serve a breakfast-friendly dessert. Angel food cakes, fruit cakes, and naked cakes are cool options. More creative treats include donuts, a waffle or crepe cake, and a pastry tower.
create a donut wall, which is a trendy idea, donuts are great for brunch weddings anytime.
Serve various mini desserts, be generous with them as many people at this time would love to have some pastries.
A waffle cake is a great alternative to a usual wedding cake, here it's topped with fresh blooms.
A crepe wedding cake topped with strawberries is another good idea for brunch weddings.
A fun pancake wedding topped with bacon and a fried egg of candies.
Go for several wedding pies instead of a usual wedding cake.