Can I Have a Breakfast Food Buffet at an Early Evening Wedding?

Us4Always · May 2012

I absolutely love breakfast. If it is offered at a restaurant all day, it is my only choice for a meal. Is it OK however to serve a breakfast meal at an early evening wedding????? If we kept it classy with crepes and other fancier offerings??? What kind of cake or confection could I offer for dessert with this type of meal??? I think this would be an inexpensive option for food, and also very filling for our guests.

Help!!! Comments, ideas, suggestions are VERY welcome!

gattamelata · May 2012

Personally, I think it would be weird unless it was REALLY well done, in which case would probably defeat the purpose of it being less expensive.

I can see it being nice if you had a crepe station with a chef making made to order crepes with fruit and nutella, and a chef station for omelettes, but that would probably be expensive.

It's also hard to keep breakfast foods warm. Pancakes, waffles, etc get cold super quickly and I think would be kind of gross to get in mass-catering form.

I think it can be done well if you put a lot of money into it and made it fancy but honestly I'm envisioning hotel-buffet breakfast.

Avion22 · May 2012

I love breakfast food, but wouldn't want it for dinner. It's a good late-night snack though, and I've been to parties where it was served as like a midnight buffet kind of thing.

I agree that it's much harder to do breakfast foods well and keep them warm properly without having lots of stations (make your own belgian waffle, chef-made omelet station, crepe station) and that could get REALLY expensive.

jessicabessica · May 2012

While I really like breakfast foods, breakfast foods aren't all that substantial. I could see it working with several stations--omelettes, pancakes, crepes (include savory fillings, like grilled veggies, cheeses, etc.). I would also try to have a few brunch items, like pasta primavera, for people that didn't like breakfast things all that much.

If you go this route, you could have a coffee cake or fancy doughnuts as your dessert, although I think any kind of cake would be fine, too.

kmmssg · May 2012

I don't think it is the best choice. You should be choosing a meal that appeals to your guests, not what your favorite meal is.

I would kind of side-eye it and wonder WTH? I love breakfast food and I would be very polite and never say a word, but I would wonder about the wisdom of the choice.

Helsy85 · May 2012

Breakfast food is also my favorite! It is your wedding, so have what you want! But, i agree to maybe offer a couple of other options for people who may not enjoy it! For the dessert, you could offer fruit dipped in chocolate, tiramisu or other coffee flavored cakes, mini cupcakes and banana milkshake shots!

Maggie0829 · May 2012

If you do decide to go this route I would aim more for a brunch buffet rather than a breakfast buffet. With brunch you will have more savory items rather than all out sweet things like pancackes, waffles and biscuits.

Honestly, if I were a guest at your wedding I would be thrilled. I think a lot of times people aren't able to think outside of the box when it comes to food. As long as you have many options (both sweet and savory) then I am sure your guests will be pleased.

dokchampa · May 2012

The reception is for your guests - keep that in mind. I would imagine many of them won't enjoy breakfast-at-dinner.

rlavach · May 2012

I agree that IF you insist on going this route, then definitely make it a brunch so you have more hearty choices. As a vegan, I know that I'd have a hard time finding enough food to be full from such a menu. So, just keep in mind the different dietary needs of your guests. I think this would be great as a late night snack, but not as the main meal.

devilishangel61401 · May 2012

I think making it brunch and doing your wedding earlier in the day maybe 11 am would be a better idea. It is your wedding and of course you should do what you'd like but I agree with pp's that the reception is for your guests.. Brunch is awesome!! Many ppl like brunch then you get your breakfast foods, your guests can also have lunch fare things like meat and potatoes etc and everyone's happy

JaxInBlue · May 2012

Ditto PPs. If you love breakfast, you might want to consider timing your wedding appropriately. A brunch time reception would allow you to focus your meal choices on breakfast foods and mix in a few lunch/dinner fare items.

Because the reception is for your guests, you need to provide a food options that will appeal to them. I could see a lovely dinner with sweet crepes for dessert, or a late night snack of pancakes or french toast, but as a guest I would be put off by breakfast foods at dinner.

You should also try to make sure you options for all of your guests - which usually means vegetarian options and is increasingly including vegan and gluten-free, which can be hard with only traditional breakfast fare.

MyNameIsNot · May 2012

I agree that this would make more sense if you got married earlier in the day and served brunch items.

The other thing I would suggest would be adding something breakfast-y in with stations that offer a variety if you stay with a lunch/dinner meal. I mean, you could do a carving station and include lox, or do a crepe station in addition to more substantial "dinner" foods.

While you and plenty of other people love breakfast food and are happy to eat it at any time of the day, I think you'll find that the majority prefer breakfast foods in the morning and other foods in the afternoon/evening.

Peavy · May 2012

Would you serve your guests prime rib for breakfast? Then don't serve them breakfast for dinner. You need to serve food that is appropriate for the time of day and the level of formality of your wedding.

alithebride · May 2012

if you want to include SOME breakfast foods that's fine, but you also need to offer appropriate time-of-day foods. YOU love breakfast foods-great. the reception is for your GUESTS though-so you need to plan with THEM in mind.

also if you ahve to do a buffet id' think a crepe station and anything else that is made to order is out. so you'd have a buffet of waffles, eggs, pancakes etc... ew. ever try and keep pancakes warm for an hour? yuck.

Us4Always · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_can-i-have-a-breakfast-food-buffet-at-an-early-evening-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:036ca673-bd1d-4112-a282-e2954c750480Post:8301b162-137b-4cb2-b338-a5038a7f2b3d">Re: Can I Have a Breakfast Food Buffet at an Early Evening Wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree that IF you insist on going this route, then definitely make it a brunch so you have more hearty choices. As a vegan, I know that I'd have a hard time finding enough food to be full from such a menu. So, just keep in mind the different dietary needs of your guests. I think this would be great as a late night snack, but not as the main meal.
Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

I am a vegetarian, and I live in the Midwest - and believe me when I tell you I am the ONLY vegetarian that will be at my wedding! lol I would have a riot on my hands if I made it meat free (although I would LOVE to do this also)!
Thanks for the suggestions

Us4Always · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_can-i-have-a-breakfast-food-buffet-at-an-early-evening-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:036ca673-bd1d-4112-a282-e2954c750480Post:1844193b-0eab-4cef-ac44-66b2555c06a6">Re: Can I Have a Breakfast Food Buffet at an Early Evening Wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you do decide to go this route I would aim more for a brunch buffet rather than a breakfast buffet. With brunch you will have more savory items rather than all out sweet things like pancackes, waffles and biscuits. Honestly, if I were a guest at your wedding I would be thrilled. I think a lot of times people aren't able to think outside of the box when it comes to food. As long as you have many options (both sweet and savory) then I am sure your guests will be pleased.
Posted by Maggie0829[/QUOTE]

Yay! One person who would love breakfast. :)

Us4Always · May 2012

Thank you everyone for your feedback!!!

To keep costs down, we want have the ceremony and reception in the middle of the week in the evening or on a Friday evening. If I moved my time to accommodate a brunch (which is still an option if we can afford a weekend wedding date), then many could not attend if it's on a late morning weekday.

I'm really leaning towards either having a planned elopement and throw a casual party upon return, or keeping it on a weeknight, but probably changing up the menu to a italian pasta buffet or something (maybe I can then throw in a crepe station for dessert - yum!)

Thanks again!!!! You all ROCK!

Us4Always · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_can-i-have-a-breakfast-food-buffet-at-an-early-evening-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:036ca673-bd1d-4112-a282-e2954c750480Post:b42ceff6-833c-4c61-99c4-64e5f4c0d217">Re: Can I Have a Breakfast Food Buffet at an Early Evening Wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Would you serve your guests prime rib for breakfast? Then don't serve them breakfast for dinner. You need to serve food that is appropriate for the time of day and the level of formality of your wedding.
Posted by Peavy[/QUOTE]

Actually, in this part of the country I think everyone would DIE OF LOVE FOR ME if I served prime rib at any time of day. lol

I've never been a "follow the rules" kinda girl, so I do think the close friends and family I plan to invite wouldnt be fazed by such a curveball. :)

jessicabessica · May 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_can-i-have-a-breakfast-food-buffet-at-an-early-evening-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:036ca673-bd1d-4112-a282-e2954c750480Post:00d1e4ca-1134-470d-ad40-9d3995e3cbad">Re: Can I Have a Breakfast Food Buffet at an Early Evening Wedding?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you everyone for your feedback!!! To keep costs down, we want have the ceremony and reception in the middle of the week in the evening or on a Friday evening. If I moved my time to accommodate a brunch (which is still an option if we can afford a weekend wedding date), then many could not attend if it's on a late morning weekday. I'm really leaning towards either having a planned elopement and throw a casual party upon return, or keeping it on a weeknight, but probably changing up the menu to a italian pasta buffet or something (maybe I can then throw in a crepe station for dessert - yum!) Thanks again!!!! You all ROCK!
Posted by Us4Always[/QUOTE]

<div>You could have mini omelettes and mini waffles as hors d'oeurves, if you wanted to have a breakfast-y touch without only breakfast food. </div><div>
</div><div>Some places will give a discount for an earlier wedding on weekends, so if that's something that interests you, you might price out a Saturday or Sunday morning to compare with a weekday evening. If your guests work standard M-F hours, a weekend morning might be nicer for them.</div>

LizzyRB · May 2012

If I was a guest at your wedding, I would love it!

Looks like I am the minority here but I like that you are doing something YOU love. If it were up to me we would have pizza at our wedding, but Fi and mom vetoed that idea immediatly

We are going to several weddings this summer where the food options are all the same. It would be fun to have something new. Italian bar would work too.

If you can, I would def try to do the reception on Friday night. If people don't have to work the next morning they are more likely to stay later and cut loose.

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