Wedding Reception Forum

Breakfast for Dinner?

My best friend is getting married next year and throwing around the idea of having a catered breakfast instead of dinner for her reception.

I think its a really cute and quirky idea especially as its both their favorite meals of the day.  Some ideas thrown around are mimosa bar during the "dinner" and then following the theme up with French Toast Martinis and other breakfast/sweet drinks during the dancing/party.

What is your thoughs on this? I really like it but some of our concerns is that guests will be disappointed.. We discussed putting a cute wording in the invitation so guests are aware ahead of time, however another concern is that guests will then eat prior to the wedding.

I'd love any input you might have on it, because I know she really likes the idea, but doesn't want to disappoint her guests.  Thanks in advance!!!

Re: Breakfast for Dinner?

  • kfast is a great idea.  most will figure out that a reception follows the cermony but  a cute saying be good for breakfast lol

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:93aed014-e9fb-4c06-9b2d-f5576644da1d">Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]My best friend is getting married next year and throwing around the idea of having a catered breakfast instead of dinner for her reception. I think its a really cute and quirky idea especially as its both their favorite meals of the day.  Some ideas thrown around are mimosa bar during the "dinner" and then following the theme up with French Toast Martinis and other breakfast/sweet drinks during the dancing/party. What is your thoughs on this? I really like it but some of our concerns is that guests will be disappointed.. We discussed putting a cute wording in the invitation so guests are aware ahead of time, however another concern is that guests will then eat prior to the wedding. I'd love any input you might have on it, because I know she really likes the idea, but doesn't want to disappoint her guests.  Thanks in advance!!!
    Posted by photochick916[/QUOTE]

    I personally love breakfast for dinner, but not so sure how I would feel about it at a wedding reception.  A lot of people do not like breakfast food so I would highly suggest NOT doing this.  If your friends are really stuck on breakfast maybe they should consider a brunch reception.  They can offer the breakfast foods they love (at they appropriate time of day) and also serve lunch foods for those who do not like breakfast. Win Win, KWIM?
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  • I'd either move the time of the reception, or do something different for dinner. 
  • fallbride1109fallbride1109 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper First Comment
    edited August 2012
    I too am in the it's more appropriate for a brunch reception camp.  If you warned me ahead of time, I would most likely eat before or leave the reception early.  And if you didn't warn me, I'd be upset.  And as a guest, I would think the reason they did it was not to be "quirky" but to save money.  I'm glad it's their favorite meal, but it's not mine.

    On the other hand, if they had a lovely brunch reception with the things you are describing, then I would think that is great.
  • If you want to serve breakfast foods, then have a daytime brunch reception.  If you want an evening reception, serve food appropriate for the time of day.  Your guests deserve a proper meal at the proper time.
  • Ditto pp. Breakfast for dinner at a wedding is not appropriate. If I got all dressed up and put money in an envelope I'd be pissed to get served waffles in the evening.
     
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  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    edited August 2012
    I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to serve breakfast style food during an evening reception.  I think as long as you have a wide variety of food (to include a carving station and pasta...think more of a brunch menu) then you should be able to please just about everyone.

    Like PP have said, not everyone may be a fan of breakfast/brunch food at dinner, but some of your guests may hate chicken or steak so either way you will never be able to please everyone 100% of the time.

    Variety is your friend.  As long as you have different types of meat, sides and of course a veggie option then your guests are sure to find something to eat.

    On a side note, I would be thrilled to go to this wedding.  1) Because I love breakfast and 2) because it is something different and out of the box so to speak.  The "typical" weddings are boring to me and would rather go to an event that is a bit different to mix things up.

    ETA:  Also, most peope will think this idea is weird and inappropriate because it isn't typical...this does'nt mean it isn't right or ok to do it is just outside people's comfort zones or what they are used to.

  • IMO you aren't going to please everyone regardless of what you serve, dinner, breakfast cake type etc. 

    The point of the wedding is to celebrate the two getting married not the meal that they'll be eating. 

    15 years ago it was totally unacceptable to have bridesmaids in black and now its one of the most popular things for bridesmaids to wear.

    I like the thinking outside of the box idea just like the PP stated.

    I appreciate all the input, it def gives me and the bride lots to consider. 
  • You're correct in that you won't be able to please everyone, but if I'm invited to a reception at dinner time, I'm expecting dinner food. If I don't like chicken, steak, or any of the other typical dinner options, I would plan to eat something ahead of time or just nosh on side dishes and cake. Likewise, if I attend a brunch reception and don't care for the typical brunch food, I would plan ahead.

    This is where my issue is with it. I know you can't accommodate everyone's personal tastes, but you are going completely against what people will expect to see served. If I hate breakfast food, I surely don't expect to see it at a dinnertime reception. I may not plan to eat something beforehand and be sorely disappointed when I arrive to find nothing I like. But if I'm attending a brunch reception, I can plan ahead, because more than likely, I will find breakfast food there.

    If you want to incorporate some breakfast food at dinnertime, I think you need other dinner options like chicken, pasta, a carving station, potatoes, etc. So essentially it'd be a brunch menu at dinner time. I would not ONLY have breakfast items availalbe.


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  • This may be a good question to pose to friends/acquaintances in your area (or the area where the reception will be held) as well.  There are a lot of regional differences regarding what is expected -- I grew up with simple cake-and-punch receptions, for some people, anything short of the full cocktail hour, sit-down dinner and dancing into the night barely merits the name "wedding reception."  So get a feel for what the traditions/expectations are in the area and target audience.

    I personally would really enjoy a breakfast-for-dinner reception, as long as there were enough protein options to balance the sugary things.  To accomodate those who might not be quite so thrilled with breakfast foods, maybe try an "evening brunch" approach: include some non-breakfast options like a carving station, salads, etc.   Fully agree with PP that variety is good, but you're never going to be able to please everyone.

    It will be different, yes, but that can be a good thing.  If people judge them because they think brunch = cheap, then that's the judgemental guests' issue, not the bride and groom's. 
  • Every month or so, when FI and I REALLY need to go shopping the next day, we'll have "brinner" (breakfast for dinner).  He loves it every time, but as I see it 'brinner' is a 'I don't have a lot of ingredients, and I don't really feel like cooking something hard' meal.  If I was all dressed up for a wedding, drove to get there, bought a gift, etc., and was served breakfast, I would be a little put off. Never thought I would be wiping maple syrup off a cocktail dress.
  • Breakfast for dinner at a wedding is wrong for the same reason that having a dessert only reception at 5pm is. You have to serve a time appropriate meal.
     
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  • Maggie0829Maggie0829 member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment 5 Love Its
    edited August 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:2842f83e-5ba8-4efa-8f00-c3a4ac460126">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Breakfast for dinner at a wedding is wrong for the same reason that having a dessert only reception at 5pm is. You have to serve a time appropriate meal.
    Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]

    Yes, having a dessert only reception at dinner time is wrong because there wouldn't be enough food to equal a meal.  However, having a breakfast/brunch menu at dinner time would be fine as long as there was enough food to constitute a meal.  And as I and other posters have said since not everyone wants pancakes at 6pm then the bride should add a pasta, a carving station, etc as options as well.

    I will say again, that just because something isn't typical does not mean that it is wrong.

    I think that as long as the bride and groom have a variety of options that also include some breakfast food since that is what they like then there really isn't an issue.

  • I love breakfast food, but I would still be disappointed if I went to a dinner-time reception and was served breakfast food.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:27249976-c57a-497f-b58b-98b184009220">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I love breakfast food, but I would still be disappointed if I went to a dinner-time reception and was served breakfast food.
    Posted by libby2483[/QUOTE]

    Why would you be disappointed?  I am not trying to be a pain but really curious, especailly since you just said you love breakfast food.

  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:6dffa0fe-7c51-4f27-beaf-9563e99b4ead">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Breakfast for Dinner? : Why would you be disappointed?  I am not trying to be a pain but really curious, especailly since you just said you love breakfast food.
    Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]

    I agree, I'd like to know why poeple would be disappointed... I don't go to weddings as a guest for any other reason than for the purpose of the bride and groom and celebrating their special day.  Food is a plus, not a necessity, I would sound like an ass if I made a complaint at any wedding based on the food choice.
  • edited August 2012
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:73c5e687-b174-4d84-a17a-2a5da3794a1f">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Breakfast for Dinner? : I agree, I'd like to know why poeple would be disappointed... I don't go to weddings as a guest for any other reason than for the purpose of the bride and groom and celebrating their special day.  Food is a plus, not a necessity, I would sound like an ass if I made a complaint at any wedding based on the food choice.
    Posted by photochick916[/QUOTE]

    I can't speak for the poster you quoted, but for me, I think it may just come down to expectations, whether that is right or wrong. If I attend a wedding reception at dinner time, I expect dinner food (I already mentioned that I think she is fine as long as she has plenty of non-breakfast options as well).

    I mean, I enjoy certain menu items at McDonald's, but I would be a little disappointed to show up to someone's wedding reception and have them serve McDonald's. I don't expect a $50 per plate meal or anything like that, but McDonald's is not really "wedding reception" food, just like breakfast food is not really dinner food. Do I personally mind eating breakfast at night? No. But some people do and wouldn't be expecting eggs and waffles at 7 PM, so I can understand being disappointed that you showed up at an evening reception and were given that food.

    Again, as long as she has a mixture, I think it's fine, but I can see why some guests might be let down or put off by it. Not saying it's right or wrong, but I can see where they're coming from.


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  • The only breakfast meal I eat are 2 scrambled eggs - DRY, CRISPY bacon, white toast with some butter.   Unless you are planning on making that for me to order I would not be happy.  

    I have hypoglycemia.   Other breakfast foods like waffles, pancakes, OJ make me go into a sugar low about 45-90 mins later.  It's not pretty.

    Things like fruit and yogurt just would not be filling enough for me at that hour.

     Mind you I would NEVER say anything to the host.  However, I would not eat much if anything and then complain about it to everyone other than the hosts.   

    If anything I would do a brunch theme with more substantial foods.









    What differentiates an average host and a great host is anticipating unexpressed needs and wants of their guests.  Just because the want/need is not expressed, doesn't mean it wouldn't be appreciated. 
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:a3aedddf-f620-48cb-b47d-82f864d1090a">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Breakfast for Dinner? : Here's the thing, your OP said your friend does not want to disappoint her guests by serving breakfast food at dinner.  Several posters here have said they would be disappointed.  Some of her guests may feel the same way for various reasons. (Time of day, just don't like breakfast, expectations). While you are right that you'll never please every guest, serving food appropriate for the time of day the reception is held is a step in the right direction. Show your friend the responses and see what she thinks.  There were also several options presented on how to incorporate breakfast items into dinner time like as apps during cocktail hour or as stations.
    Posted by ILoveMilkDuds[/QUOTE]

    I'll def show her. And I really do appreciate the feedback from everyone.  I guess it just thought it was such a unique and quirky idea that she should run with it.  I could just picture an omlet station.. Waffe station.. Mimosa bar.. We're all big breakfast foodies in this area, but a lot of her family are coming from other areas of the country, which is why I posed it here vs the local boards.

    I'm taking all the info into consideration and can see valid points on both sides. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />

    I personally just like things to be as different as they can be... If my loving BF and I get married someday we've already discussed being as quirky as we can be.. But it would also be a small wedding of 25 and they'd all totally understand our personality enough to get the weird quirks to our ceremony and reception.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:e8aa6a72-c40d-4015-93a7-ea7ca1b41426">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Breakfast for Dinner? : I'll def show her. And I really do appreciate the feedback from everyone.  <strong>I guess it just thought it was such a unique and quirky idea that she should run with it.</strong>  I could just picture an omlet station.. Waffe station.. Mimosa bar.. We're all big breakfast foodies in this area, but a lot of her family are coming from other areas of the country, which is why I posed it here vs the local boards. I'm taking all the info into consideration and can see valid points on both sides. I personally just like things to be as different as they can be... If my loving BF and I get married someday we've already discussed being as quirky as we can be.. But it would also be a small wedding of 25 and they'd all totally understand our personality enough to get the weird quirks to our ceremony and reception.
    Posted by photochick916[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>Just because an idea is unique or quirky doesn't mean that it's good. Breakfast at an evening reception is "unusual" because it's not a crowd pleaser--there are no other reasons (cost, rarity of ingredients, etc.) why people wouldn't do it all the time except that it would be a disappointment to many guests.  </div><div>
    </div><div>That being said, why not offer a dinner with dinner foods and then do a late-night snack of something brunchy? (waffles/french toast/etc?). 

    </div>
  • Yeah - not agreeing with the breakfast food for reception dinner idea.  To me, the hallmark of a reception is that it is planned so that everything is appropriate and "goes together" if you know what I mean.  You plan to feed your guests appropriately for the time of day you have your dinner.  If you want to serve bfast food, have a brunch reception.  If you want an evening reception, serve a grown up evening meal.  When everything is coordinated properly and goes together, it just looks flawless.

    I would never say a word to my hosts, but I would be pretty unhappy with bfast for dinner at an evening reception.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_breakfast-for-dinner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:a341719e-f107-444a-909c-305c1b7bdf38Post:6dffa0fe-7c51-4f27-beaf-9563e99b4ead">Re: Breakfast for Dinner?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Breakfast for Dinner? : Why would you be disappointed?  I am not trying to be a pain but really curious, especailly since you just said you love breakfast food.
    Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]

    <div>SummerBride summed up my feelings pretty well.  I guess it just comes down to expectations. I guess I should have said that I love breakfast food at breakfast time.  Occasionally I'll eat eggs for dinner, but I would just find it odd to go to a wedding at dinner time and be served breakfast.  I also love Kraft macaroni and cheese in the Sponge Bob shape, but I wouldn't expect to be served it for dinner at a wedding.  </div><div>
    </div><div>Again, this is just my opinion, and other guests may feel differently, especially if you know your circle well.  Provided there is a great variety of foods, this idea could potentially work well.  Just be aware that some guests will find it odd.</div>
  • Since expectations seem to be a main concern, then definitely do what you mentioned in the OP and let your guests know that the reception will be "brunch after dark" (or however you choose to phrase it), not in the invitation, of course, but on the wedding website, in a follow-up email to RSVP's etc.  That + some variety in food choices and I think you're fine. It's a fun and different idea that sounds like it fits the culture of your area.  Let your guests (esp. the out-of-towners for whom this may be different) know what to expect and hopefully they'll join in the fun of something that's a little outside their norm.
  • Again, thanks for all the feedback. I'll discuss it in more depth with my friend and maybe make a compromise.
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