Brunch Weddings Are Trending! What to Know to Plan Your Own 

Considering a brunch wedding? Follow this practical advice to plan an affordable afternoon alternative to a traditional wedding! 

 

What’s not to love about the latest wedding trend: the brunch wedding? These intimate ceremonies can be highly affordable, they’re over by late afternoon (giving you the whole night to celebrate your way), and are perfectly tailored to your tastes – with everything from seasonal dishes and local drinks, to cultural desserts and decor.

 

If you’re planning a brunch wedding of your own, here are a few practical items to keep in mind to make sure you have the absolute best time! 

 

1. What is a brunch wedding? 

When we say ‘brunch wedding,’ we’re not talking about your typical day-after wedding brunch. This is something different: combining the wedding ceremony with a casual or semi-casual brunch party. 

 

These intimate weddings are scheduled during brunch hours – midmorning to early afternoon, or 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. – and generally take place at a restaurant, bar, cafe, private event space, or family home.

 

Your ceremony and brunch party will take place in the same room, making this one of the most stress-free ways to celebrate. Your guests might be seated at their tables during your vow exchange, making the shift to pancakes and French 75s completely seamless. Other venues may have the staff set up tables after the ceremony, while you and your guests sip on bellinis over prosciutto and fig crostinis at the open bar.

 

 

How much alcohol for a brunch wedding? When you book a restaurant or bar for your ceremony, you eliminate the guesswork – your venue's shelves are stocked with a variety of wines, spirits, and non-alcoholic alternatives, ready to pair with your favorite brunch bites. (Photo: Bruno Mattos / Pexels)

 

2. Choose a brunch wedding venue

 

First things first, you’ll need to choose a location. This is often the first step in planning any kind of wedding. If you want to have your celebration at a high-demand restaurant, you may need to book the space several months or more in advance – so don’t wait! 

 

• Get on Track: A Simple Wedding Planning Checklist & Timeline for Busy Couples
   

Many specialty restaurants and high-end lounges offer private dining and event hosting services. Some venues allow customers to “buy out” the entire restaurant for a few hours for a set fee; while others offer a separate dining room, patio, or rooftop lounge for private events. Ask what type of booking options are available before you make a decision.

 

Consider the type of experience you want to have, and how many people you want to invite when choosing your venue. While you probably won't be exchanging vows in front of strangers eating eggs benedict, different venues offer different levels of privacy.

 

Venues that specialize in special events will almost always list important details on their website – look for restaurants that advertise “private events,” “wedding brunches,” "brunch wedding venues near me," or “special events” in your area to get started. 

 

Even if a restaurant doesn’t advertise special events online, it never hurts to contact them directly to ask about their rates. If you already have a favorite restaurant, bar, or karaoke brunch spot in mind, give them a call! 

 

 

Place a floral wedding arch at the head of a table and exchange vows at your seat for a no-stress ceremony and photo opportunity. Keep in mind that some venues may not allow outside decor or florals; ask before booking your dream venue if you have a specific vision in mind. (Photo: Anchiy / iStock) 

 

3. Pricing for special events

 

One of the best parts of a brunch wedding is that the food, drinks, seating, and staff are all included in the price – no need to hire a separate caterer, rent tables and chairs, or pay for a mobile bartending service. Just pick your favorite brunch spot, and let them do what they do best!  

 

Pricing packages for brunch weddings will vary quite a bit from venue to venue, including how they’re structured. For example: some venues will charge you an event fee in addition to the standard cost of their menu items; others have set food and drink “minimums” (the minimum amount of money you must spend on menu items during your wedding); and some charge a special events rate “per plate.” Venues with multiple dining rooms and varying guest capacity may also charge a separate room rental, added on to meal fees.

 

Related: How Much Does the Average Wedding Cost?

 

These pricing details are usually listed on the establishment’s website, or available as a pamphlet or PDF from their events coordinator. If you don’t see specific details listed, be sure to ask before you book: “Is tax and gratuity included in this rate?”, “Is there an extra cake cutting fee for outside desserts?”, “How are we charged if we don’t meet the food and beverage minimum?”, etc.

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/store/products/will-you-marry-us-gift-package", "HAVE A FRIEND OFFICIATE YOUR WEDDING!" *|

(Photo: ömer aliko / Pexels)

 

4. Questions to ask the venue before you book

 

In addition to obvious questions like “how much will this cost?” and “how many guests are allowed in the space?”, you may want to ask the venue the following things (depending on your needs): 

 

• Do you have a private area to get ready or to take a break? (This is very rare! Restaurants don’t generally offer this, but some event spaces do.)

 

• What is your tax and gratuity rate for special events? (20% to 30% is standard gratuity; this may be included in your food and drink minimum, or it may be added later to your final bill.)

 

• What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?

 

• How early can my vendors arrive? (In general, you will not need additional vendors, except for a wedding officiant. However, you might want to hire a photographer, videographer, or content creator, or bring in a specialty cake if the venue allows.) 

 

• Are additional floral arrangements and decor allowed? (One of the perks of booking a restaurant or upscale lounge is that these places come with built-in ambiance and decor, so you don't need to purchase your own; however, you may want to bring in additional florals or decor that are culturally meaningful or symbolic to you. Always ask first to confirm this is allowed.)

 

• What is the ‘hard exit’ time when we must leave by?

 

• Can we plug our phone or tablet into your sound system during the event? (This is a great option if you’re ‘buying out’ the entire restaurant or when using a private space with its own speakers, but if you like the restaurant's vibe and aren’t worried about the music for a couple hours, don’t add more things to your checklist!)

 

• Can we customize the brunch menu?

 

• Can we bring our own wedding cake? (Some restaurants charge a “cake cutting fee” for outside desserts, other venues do not charge, and still others may not allow outside food at all.) 

 

• Can we move the furniture / can tables be arranged to form a wedding aisle? (Most restaurants that specialize in weddings are experts in layout, timing, and comfort – you probably won’t need to worry about this. And some couples prefer to take their vows standing at their table, with no aisle. But if you’re booking with a smaller restaurant or cafe that’s hosting a wedding for the first time, and want to walk an aisle, be sure to cover the basics like this before booking.)

 

 

Use the space between tables as your wedding aisle for a cute, unforgettable moment. Guests will have the perfect view as you head to your table to take your vows! (Photo: Ezgi Bircan / iStock)

 

5. Plan a dress code you’ll love 

 

Like other types of weddings, your brunch wedding dress code can be as casual or formal as you want it to be! Just keep the restaurant’s dress code in mind when choosing your own, especially when booking a high-end venue.

 

To get started, check out: A Simple Guide to Wedding Dress Code Meanings for Guests

 

6. Choose a friend or family member to officiate

 

Ask a close friend or relative to get ordained online with American Marriage Ministries to officiate your brunch wedding! This is the perfect choice for an intimate morning wedding, followed by drinks and delicious breakfast carbs with your favorite people.  

|* ordination-button *|
Once your loved one has been ordained, they might need to register with the local county or state government before the ceremony takes place. This process is usually simple and straightforward. Click the link below to see if registration is needed in your state: 

 

• Wedding Officiant Registration by State
   

 

What to wear to wedding brunch? Let guests know in advance if your celebration has a dress code (such as formal, semi-formal, or casual), as well as the venue's established dress code if it has one. You should also let guests know if the meal will be served indoors or outdoors (such as on a rooftop or patio) so that they can dress for seasonal weather. (Photo: DarioGaona / iStock)

 

7.  Keep the morning timeline in mind

 

Brunch weddings are delightful, but it’s important to be realistic about the timeline. Although your ceremony might start around 11:00 a.m., you’ll need to start getting ready earlier – much earlier if you plan on having your hair and makeup done, or want to include traditional elements like a “first look,” enjoy leisurely pre-ceremony conversation, or have professional photos taken with your wedding party. 

 

If you’re not a morning person, a brunch wedding may not be the stress-free option you think it is. You’ve been warned – but we still think it’s worth it!

 

You can make your morning as action-packed or as leisurely as you want. Consider the three very different timelines below for comparison.

 

Brunch Wedding Timeline Option One: Traditional & Busy

 

This timeline was shared by wedding planner and venue director Cassie Horrell, @weddingprocass, and describes a traditional (and very busy) morning wedding. Some of these items won’t be possible at smaller venues (such as private rooms to freshen up, space for group dancing, etc.), and you may want to consider a traditional wedding venue with a brunch caterer for a big event. 

 

6:30 - 8:30 a.m.: Getting ready
8:30 a.m: Getting in dress
9:00 a.m: First look
9:30 a.m: Wedding party photos / photos with family
10:00 a.m: Hide, freshen up, relax before ceremony
10:30 a.m: Ceremony
11:00 a.m: Mini-cocktail hour (drinks and hors d'oeuvres for guests) 
11:00 a.m: Formal wedding pictures (for the couple)
11:30 a.m: Brunch reception begins
11:45 a.m: Introducing the newlyweds
11:50 a.m: First dance
11:55 a.m: Welcome and blessing (religious couples)
12:00 p.m: Brunch service begins (buffet or table service)
12:30 p.m.: Speeches and toasts
1:15 p.m.: Cake cutting and couple’s ‘thank you’ 
1:30 p.m.: Parent dances
1:40 p.m.: Open dancing, games, etc.

 

 

Brunch Wedding Timeline Option Two: Short, Modern & Photo-Focused

 

This timeline was shared by wedding photographer Christa Reed, and emphasizes plenty of time with your photographer. If photos are a big part of your wedding dream, this might be the right fit for you. 

 

8:30 a.m.: Hair and makeup are almost done, photographer arrives for photos "of your details…and finishing touches like putting on your wedding clothes”
9:00 a.m.: First look & couple’s portraits at venue
9:30 a.m.: Wedding party photos at venue
10:00 a.m.: Close family and friends photos at venue
10:30 a.m: Guests start arriving, couple leaves to freshen up
11:00 a.m: Ceremony begins
11:20 a.m: Ceremony ends
11:40 a.m: Brunch reception begins, cocktails
1:00 p.m.: Reception shifts to dessert and coffee
1:30 p.m.: Things are winding down, couple leaves for a few “just married” pictures with photographer
2:00 p.m.: Reception ends

|* mop-button *|

Brunch Wedding Timeline Option Three: Start Early & End Early! 

 

This wedding brunch timeline was shared by the folks at Kindred Weddings and Events, and has the earliest start time of all – 5am! This schedule is more open ended than the others, giving you more flexibility with special additions like cake cutting and toasts. 

 

5:00 a.m: Hair and makeup begins
7:00 a.m: Set up begins at the venue
8:00 a.m: First look
9:00 a.m: Wedding party and family photos
10:00 a.m: Guests arrive (they must arrive promptly or they’ll miss the ceremony!)
10:30 a.m: Ceremony begins
11:00 a.m: Ceremony ends, transition time to shift to brunch
11:30 a.m: Brunch is served (optional cocktail hour)
2:00 p.m.: Event ends

 

 

As you can see from the examples above, your schedule can be modified to include only what’s most important to you. If you and your spouse-to-be don’t need three hours for hair and makeup, you can dedicate that time to something else – like photos, a relaxed and romantic breakfast in bed, or wedding day yoga before you get dressed and head to the venue. 

 

 

(Photo:  Alexander Mass / Pexels)

 

---

 

More Wedding Trends & Ideas from American Marriage Ministries

 

• Can’t Afford a Wedding? How to Get Married for (Almost) Free
   
• 10 Micro Wedding Ideas to Inspire An Intimate Ceremony
   
• 10 Traditional Wedding Cakes Served Around the World
   
• Mistake on Your Wedding Invitations? 8 Ways to Save the Day
   

---