Why a Brunch-Styled Wedding is Exactly What You Need

Brunch is always a good idea. And brunch weddings are even a better idea. I've never seen an unhappy person at brunch. Who isn't willing to embrace the concept of the late-morning feast that offers delectable options like pancakes, eggs benedict, doughnuts and bacon? And don't even get me started on the mimosas and Bloody Mary's! (For the record, any trend that encourages spiking orange juice with champagne is alright by me).

There are several reasons why I am a strong advocate for brunch-styled weddings and yes, it does go beyond my enthusiasm for warm cinnamon rolls, waffle stations and cereal bars. (How can guests not remember your wedding for their rest of their lives if you serve Cap'n Crunch?)

If you aren't convinced by Bloody Mary's and eggs benedict, open your mind and yourself up to these additional reasons why more and more couples are seizing the day with a brunch-themed wedding.

The Party Doesn't End after the Reception

For those who are resisting the idea of hosting a wedding in the morning hours and a reception earlier in the afternoon, remember this: the party does NOT have to end after your reception. You are free to do whatever you want come 4:00 p.m. Whether it's bar hop with your favorite people or jump in a limo and head straight for the honeymoon, you have the rest of the day to bask in the newlywed bliss. Just don't forget to provide sober transportation for guests if you plan to continue the party after the party!
 

Two Words: Day Drinking

Perhaps you and your groom-to-be prefer to have a dry wedding—a mid-morning/afternoon reception is the perfect justification for that. However, if you do plan to serve alcohol at your reception, there is no better rationalization to start happy hour at 10 a.m. than a brunch wedding. Some of our favorite ideas are espresso bars, build-your-own Bloody Mary stations, hand-passed mimosas and tequila sunrises. We suggest limiting the bar options here, because well, too much liquor before noon tends to have a strong correlation to rather rowdy behavior. It's a marathon, not a sprint. And don't forget to offer non-alcoholic breakfast favorites like apple and orange juice.

You Can Save A LOT of Money

Do you still want to have an extravagant wedding, but can't summon the finances to pay for it? Having a brunch reception saves money for two reasons in particular: one, breakfast food is less expensive than dinner food like steak or chicken. Two, some venues will offer discounts if they can host two weddings in the same day. If they can flip the room around for an evening reception, they will often offer a discounted room rental.
 

Reception Games in Lieu of a Reception Dance

It can be a little awkward to break out your twerking dance moves in the light of day. Some things should be left to darkness and strobe lights. Instead, consider planning a variety of reception games for guests. If your wedding takes place in the warmer months, plan some lawn games like cornhole toss, Yard Yahtzee, bocce ball or ladder golf. If the outdoors aren't an option, some indoor crowd favorites include bingo, trivia and good ol' fashioned board games. This also saves money on Djs or live bands if you opt out of having a reception dance.
 

People will Remember Your Wedding

Often, when you're in your 20s and 30s, your weekends are filled with wedding after wedding. When you attend five weddings in a matter of a few months, don't they all start to blend together? Your wedding will stand out if you find ways to deviate from the norm. It's also likely more people will be able to attend your wedding if takes place earlier in the day because they won't have to choose between your wedding and another wedding they are invited to on the same day. #win

The Food Options are Endless

I can't help it. I know we discussed some of the food options in my opening statements, but they are worth re-emphasizing. Whether you choose a family-style breakfast, a seated, served menu, or a brunch buffet, there are a ridiculous amount of options for you. So forgive me for daydreaming...

Some of my personal favorite brunch station ideas are as follows:

• Make-your-own-waffles: depending on your caterer, they may prefer that their chef(s) prepare the waffles or they may allow your guests to venture out on their own. Either way, provide syrup, whipped cream and fruit toppings!
• Order-to-make omelets: provide all of the ingredients and allow your guests to customize their omelet with the chef
• Build-your-own crepes: an elegant brunch food, crepe bars should include fresh fruit, whipped cream and Nutella
• Cereal stations: grab all of your kid-favorite cereals, spoons and bowls, and milk and design an adorable buffet with D.I.Y. Signs letting guests know which cereal is which (not everyone can tell the difference between Trix and Cap'n Crunch—it's hard to believe, I know).

Other staples to include in your brunch spread include:

• Doughnuts. This really isn't negotiable. If you don't have pastries at your brunch wedding, you can't call it a brunch wedding. Strudels, muffins and bagels are also acceptable.
• Fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits. You have to have at least one healthy option, right?
• Freshly baked cinnamon rolls. I really associate brunch with cinnamon rolls for some reason so I'm just going to go ahead and assume everyone else does, too.
• Meats like bacon, ham and sausage. You can't not serve bacon for breakfast.
• Quiches, eggs benedict or frittatas. You probably don't need to serve all three, but at least one of these options will round out your menu.
• Hashbrowns or breakfast potatoes.
• French toast sticks

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