All you need to know to rock your wedding brunch
After-wedding brunches are a delicious way to extend the party celebration as well as to bid your guests farewell.
Whether you have decided on a destination wedding or you are organising it at home, keep reading. There are some details listed below that may interest you.
Who Should We Invite?
The answer to this question is based on your wishes and budget. You can easily throw a meal for all the invitees or just invite close family and friends.
Besides the financial aspect, bear in mind that your wedding is a long and emotional day. You will still feel adrenaline and energy the day after, however, you will also need to think about yourself and take care of your rest. In this context, limiting the number of guests, for the after-wedding brunch is not only a smart idea, but also a wise one.
Where Should We Do It?
I would suggest doing it near the main wedding location. When getting married in your own city, a great option is to plan the after-wedding brunch at your favorite restaurant.
Another alternative is to use hotel space or rent a private venue. However, these last two options will require more logistics and organization from your side (i.e. hiring a catering company, decoration, rental, etc.).
In the case of a destination wedding, you can organize it in the main hotel (where all the guests stay) or as mentioned previously in a restaurant close to it.
The aim is to be practical, and it has to be easy to access for everyone.
What Time Should We Call It?
Ideally between 11 am and 3 pm. A two-hour brunch is already a reasonable length of time, so you can choose a slot and inform your invitees.
What Type of Menu?
Most hotels and restaurants’ brunch menus are quite straightforward: buffet service including American breakfast items and some local specialties.
On the other hand, when we are looking for waste-free and healthy alternatives, I suggest having fewer proposals but of higher quality.
If you have the opportunity to choose some items, here are some products that you could not go wrong with:
Fruits & Juices: all you need to get back on your feet after a long wedding day (and night) is vitamins. Make sure you provide seasonal fruits and juices.
Comfort food: Healthy choices are a must, but some guilty pleasures will also be highly appreciated by your guests. French fries, pizza, hot dogs, burgers, etc.
Live Cooking: There is nothing that I love most during brunch than having a live cooking corner. It is enjoyable entertainment for your guests and a great opportunity to discover the person behind the menu: the Chef. It could be a pancake station, an egg station (fried, scrambled, etc.), or pasta…the options are endless.
Regional corner: I have always found it interesting to honor local food traditions. If you are organizing your wedding abroad, think about the local food and try to incorporate it somehow into your wedding.
For instance, if we organize an after-wedding brunch here in Switzerland, I would definitely include a cheese board with the finest Swiss selections.
A refreshing end: choose your dessert carefully. If you are having a summer wedding, creamy desserts on a buffet may not be very tempting. My personal favorite is water ice cream on a stick, which I use all the time. Refreshing and delicious.
As for drinks, a selection of coffee and tea, soft drinks and water should be available.
I would limit (or avoid) proposing wines and liquors. A glass of sparkling wine, Prosecco or Champagne could be a thoughtful touch to welcome the guest, though.
Otherwise, among all the cocktails in the world, there are three classics that you should not miss:
The Mimosa: a drink made with Champagne and orange juice, served in a flute. It is THE traditional one.
The Bloody Mary: this cocktail contains vodka, tomato juice, and many spices like pepper, salt, garlic, and my favorite: celery.
The Bellini: last but not least, this cocktail is made with Prosecco and fresh peach puree. Yum and refreshing.
Do we ask for a dress code?
Unless you are planning a high-end brunch, English style, I would say that casual attire is more appropriate for this type of occasion.
Mentioning the dress code in your brunch invitation or the wedding weekend program will avoid any confusion and save time for guests.
What protocol should newlyweds follow during brunch?
In reality, the gathering is intended to enjoy the last moments of celebration and to chill with everyone.
There is no etiquette or protocol to follow, however, it is indeed the right moment to enjoy your loved ones one more time before saying goodbye.
