Jazz Brunch

melissamarieshaw

I'm getting married in N.O. in September and would like to invite guests to join us for brunch on Sunday morning. I thought I could get a rough number of who would like to come by putting it on the rsvp. Problem is - I don't want to pay for everyone. I want it to be optional and not feel like guests have to come (I also don't want to pay for everyone and then have half of them not show.) Is there a way of getting the number of people that would like to go and also let them know it's completely optional (ie. they have to pay). Everyone is coming from OOT and I'd really like them to experience everything N.O.has to offer. Any and all recommendations welcome. TIA!

silverspark7

You could put something on your wedding website.  That way people will know about it, but it won't seem like something they have to go to (or that they expect you to pay for) by having a more formal invitation.

You could also have a ote attached to your favors: "Feel free to join us for a classic New Orleans brunch in the morning at LOCATION."  You could also have a little caveat saying that it's an unofficial wedding event (aka, guests pay).  Not sure how to word it, but I'm sure the gals on here could help you out.

Queen Jane

You should do it by word of mouth and on your website. If you put it in writing other than on your website, it comes off as a hosted event. 

If it were me, I would wait until close to your wedding and let people know then. We suggested people meet us for lunch the day after but we just sent out a mass text saying where we would be and feel free to come meet us. A few people showed up but most others were either out enjoying the city or on their way back out of town.

Do you know where you are having the brunch? Depending on that, you may need a pretty accurate headcount. 

louisianablue

I probably wouldn't offer if I wasn't hosting the event.  It's certainly a nice idea to meet up with everyone, but don't know how to invite people and let them know you won't be paying.  My in-laws hosted a brunch for only their guests, which I thought was pretty awkward.  It meant that I had to leave all of my guests, even family, to make their own plans on Easter Sunday.

NO2012

We have the info about the Sunday brunch on our website and it will be included in the welcome/info packet in our Welcome Bags for all of the OOT guests at the hotel.  However, our brunch is hosted by my MIL so there is not the issue of having to convey the "Dutch treat" message.  We do have a minimum, but I know she is hoping the entire 125 guests don't show up, so we are keeping the info conveyance to the website, welcome packet, and word of mouth (no formal invite or anything).  We will also being organizing a pub crawl one of the evenings before the wedding and we will not being paying for everyone's drinks along the way.  I plan on suggesting to friends ahead of time via email and text and on the website to bring cash to speed up the payment of bar tabs (as opposed to credit cards) so we can keep the party moving.  Not sure how you can translate that into a brunch setting...maybe pre-determine the estimated cost per person and let them know in advance the price range of the meeting place you have chosen.  I know some of the Sunday jazz brunches are a little pricey- they are well worth it of course, but I would appreciate knowing how much to expect to spend ahead of time.  Let us know how you work it out! 

RYLZ

We had welcome books and a website.  Both included a list of optional activities for the days before and after the wedding and listed time, place, and cost.  The good-bye brunch was listed with several other meals and activities so it wasn't awkward to include the price for that as well.  Especially for OOT guests, I think it's useful to provide the info in advance.  A lot of our guests planned their departure around being able to attend a final brunch or dinner with all of us.  We had over 50 people stay for brunch and 2 dozen for dinner Sunday night, even though we didn't host either.