this is the code for the render ad
Wedding Reception Forum

PRE-wedding brunch?

My fiance and I want to have the most affordable wedding possible, while still being able to host about 100 guests. The compromise we have made is to host a "cake and punch" style reception, but jazzed up a bit: fancy desserts (homemade by my mother and myself) and special winter cocktails. The wedding will be from 2-6pm so there will be plenty of time for guests to have lunch before and dinner afterward on their own. In addition, my original plan was to invite all of our guests to the ceremony and this reception, followed by a brunch for family only the next day to thank them for coming (we will have quite a few out of town/out of state family traveling in). But I still have some remaining concerns that we won't be feeding our guests a full meal on the day of the wedding. 

So, I'm considering hosting a pre-ceremony brunch for family instead - maybe brunch from 11-2pm and the ceremony and reception from 3-7pm. I haven't really heard of this being done before so I'm curious about your thoughts! 

Re: PRE-wedding brunch?

  • Honestly, hosting anything else on the same day will connect it to the wedding, and that would make it a tiered event (where some people are invited to only part and not to all). Your initial plan is fine, though I would have the reception end by 5 so you don't get overlap dinner time at all.
    image
  • MyNameIsNotMyNameIsNot member
    Knottie Warrior 10000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited July 2013
    Why not just have a brunch wedding?  It's cheaper than a dinner wedding, and you'll get to serve your guests the meal you want.  

    I agree with PP that you don't want to do a second event on the same day.  You leave people with a big gap and nothing to do, and it's rude to the "second tier" guests that didn't get invited to the whole thing.  

    Also, I would recommend not doing cocktails if you stick with cake and punch.  Booze plus no food is generally not a good idea.  If you are having some savory snacks, it would be fine, but cake + liquor is going to result in some sick guests.  
  • NYCMercedesNYCMercedes member
    Sixth Anniversary 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    edited July 2013
    I think you plan is lovely as is, w/o an additional breakfast. I would add some savory tidbits, however, such as tea sandwiches and cheese and crudités platters, as well as coffee. Not only would they go with your cocktails, but not everyone is a sweets fanatic.
  • Way to long, unnecessary, rude to the non-family guests. Cake and punch from 2-5 sounds great- go with your first plan!
  • If you're planning on spending more money on 2 separate brunches can you just put that towards more filling hor d'oeuvres? I think your plan is fine, but if you're worried about it...



    Anniversary
    image

    image
  • If you are concerned about not serving a full meal, add some substantial apps that will make it feel a little more like a "meal", and not like you are trying to give them as little as possible.

    Have brunch the next day.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards