Who doesn’t love brunch? It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory and everyone’s favorite weekend activity. Over the past few years, brunch wedding receptions have become popular for couples looking to save money and celebrate in a more laid back fashion.
In honor of National Brunch Month this April, let’s explore the budget benefits of a brunch wedding and how to plan your own.
What is a Brunch Wedding?
A brunch wedding typically occurs between mid-morning to early-afternoon, between the hours of 10am to 3pm. While the event still follows a similar structure to a traditional wedding — ceremony, cocktail hour, and a sit-down meal — the overall atmosphere tends to be lighter and more laid-back. Think mimosa toasts instead of champagne flutes and frittatas instead of filet mignon!
One of the main reasons brunch weddings are so popular is because they tend to be more budget-friendly than evening weddings. The lower cost of venues, food, and drink options makes this an attractive choice for couples looking to keep things affordable without compromising on style or fun.
Booking Your Brunch Wedding Venue
One of the biggest savings when hosting a brunch wedding is the cost of the venue. Many venues charge higher rates for evening events since that’s typically prime time for formal events. Evening weddings also require more staff and usually run longer. Brunch weddings, on the other hand, are booked during the morning or early afternoon, which means the venue is likely to offer lower rates.
Additionally, venues may have more availability during daytime hours, which gives you more flexibility when it comes to selecting your ideal wedding date. Since brunch weddings take place outside of peak hours, you might be able to secure a venue that would otherwise be booked for an evening event, and sometimes, venues may even offer extra perks or discounts when booking during less busy times.
Planning Your Brunch Wedding Menu
We can’t talk about a brunch wedding without mentioning the food! Arguably the most important part of your brunch wedding reception is the menu. In lieu of steak and fish, brunch menus focus on lighter (and cheaper!) items like eggs and pastries.
One of the best ways to save on food is to serve it family-style or buffet-style. These serving methods allow you to offer a variety of options without the need for expensive plated meals or multiple courses. You can also keep the menu relatively simple with crowd-pleasers like quiche, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and bagels. Adding a few specialty items, like an avocado toast station, donut tower, or waffle bar can elevate the experience while still being relatively inexpensive.
In addition to food, you can save money by simplifying your alcohol selections. Instead of offering a full bar, choose one or two morning cocktails like a mimosa or Irish coffee. These options will give your guests a fun, festive experience without the high cost of endless liquor options. You can also avoid alcohol altogether and offer a coffee or tea bar instead.
Brunch Wedding Reception Activities
Since brunch weddings take place earlier in the day, they’re often more relaxed and informal than an evening event. If you’re not a fan of traditional wedding elements like the first dance or expensive entertainment, you can ditch the DJ and offer fun alternatives that fit your brunch wedding vibe. After all, not everyone will be up for dancing so early in the day!
One option is to set up a DIY mimosa or Bloody Mary bar where guests can create their own custom drinks. Add fresh fruit garnishes, herbs, and flavored syrups for a creative twist.
For entertainment, consider lawn games like cornhole, giant Jenga, or ring toss. These games are simple to set up, fun for guests of all ages, and inexpensive to rent or purchase. If you’re holding the reception outdoors, these games offer a relaxed way for guests to mingle and enjoy the beautiful day. If you’re hosting the wedding indoors, a photo booth with fun props can keep everyone entertained without the need for a DJ or live band.
Resources for Your Brunch Wedding
Another way to save money while planning your brunch wedding is to use Eventective! Find your a venue and vendors using our wedding directories, create a free wedding website, or organize your guest list using our guest list manager.
Rachel Kauffman is a Detroit-based content writer, bookworm, and cat mom to two feisty felines.
