What’s a brunch wedding?
There’s something magical about a brunch wedding. The romantic feeling of getting married on a fresh, sparkling morning followed by a relaxed gathering with your closest friends and family.
Are brunch weddings fun?
Yes they are! Brunch weddings allow you to enjoy the company of your guests in a different way than traditional receptions. They’re focused on intimacy, with a beautiful food spread and flowing conversation.
A lot of couples planning intimate weddings struggle with how to host a memorable reception. The traditional formula of an evening meal with DJ and loud music isn’t appealing to them.
For couples overwhelmed by the thought of planning a high-energy reception, a brunch wedding is an answer.
What time should a brunch wedding start?
Your wedding ceremony will be in the morning, so the reception can start between 11:00 am-1:00 pm.
What are good intimate wedding venues in Minnesota?
There are a lot of venue possibilities. You can do a backyard brunch wedding at home. A cozy cabin on the North Shore. For an elegant wedding, a historic hotel or bed and breakfast like the St. James in Redwing.
What do you eat at a brunch wedding reception?
Food can be light or decadent. Fill your meal with elegant appetizers like smoked salmon cakes, mini quiches, candied bacon, balsamic strawberries, and a charcuterie board.
There are also homestyle favorites to consider. French toast, scrambled eggs, sausages, a waffle bar, fruit with yogurt, muffins, and gooey caramel cinnamon rolls. Have a donut wall, because it’s brunch! The possibilities are endless and you can work with your caterer to customize the menu to your liking.
Dessert can include cake, parfaits, fruit pies, or ice cream sundaes.
For drinks, you can do coffee, tea, juice, and cocktails like mimosas, screwdrivers, or bloody mary bar.
How much photography time do I need for my brunch wedding?
This timeline is nice because if you’re having an intimate wedding with a small wedding party, plus immediate family portraits, you need only 5-6 hours of photography coverage. Half of what you need for a traditional wedding with an afternoon ceremony and full evening reception.
The brunch wedding timeline.
One thing to know about this wedding timeline: It includes the first look.
Should you do a wedding first look? Only if it aligns with your faith and values. I can also help you make a photography timeline that doesn’t include the first look. Send me an email, I’m glad to help.
Timeline for a short brunch wedding with 75 guests or less.
- 8:30 am: Your hair and makeup is almost done. Photographer arrives for photos of your details (invitations, rings, jewelry, shoes) and finishing touches like putting on your wedding clothes.
- 9 am: First look & portraits with your love at the venue
- 9:30 am: portraits with your wedding party and/or witnesses at the venue
- 10 am: immediate family portraits at the venue
- 10:30 am: guests start arriving, it’s time to hide and freshen up before the ceremony
- 11:00 am: Ceremony begins
- 11:20 am: end ceremony- you might have a short receiving line
- 11:40am: Reception begins. Guests grab cocktails and are seated.
- 1:00 pm: Reception transitions to desert and coffee
- 1:30 pm: Guests are full of brunch goodness and your reception starts to wind down. Now is a good time to sneak out for a few more “just married” pictures before your photography ends.
- 2:00 pm: Reception ends
*This timeline assumes your entire wedding is at one location. If you have multiple locations add travel time, and book your photography accordingly.
What do you do after a brunch wedding?
After your reception, you have the rest of the day free. Take a nap, book a couples’ spa appointment, or catch an afternoon flight for your honeymoon.
If you’re already in a beautiful destination you can change out of your wedding clothing and plan sightseeing or other activities.
For weddings at home keep the party going with a very small group of close friends. Play games, watch a movie, have a cookout and bonfire later.
An example of brunch wedding photography.
Check out this wedding in Redwing, Mn to see all the possibilities for an elegant Sunday brunch wedding.
