Brunch Wedding Reception??

[Stephanie218]

To make a long story short, my DH and I were married in CA in January with just my sister and his best friend. We're in the middle of planning our vow renewal and reception back home in CT for after he returns from Iraq.

We started out thinking we'd do a super-formal Saturday night event, until we got a look at prices So, we are seriously considering doing a Sunday morning ceremony and brunch reception.

As a guest, would you feel put out having to attend something in the morning? Would you prefer just a cocktail hour, or open bar the whole time? Or would you really want a Sat. night event?

Just trying to get opinions and make it easiest for everyone to attend. Everyone we're inviting is mainly in CT, a few in NY and MA that would likely spend the night either way.

Also, anyone in CT ever been to a wedding at Water's Edge? That's one we're really looking into.

Sorry so long, but thank you for your opinions!

 

[mickeyboat]

I would just be careful about planning it during "church time" on Sunday. How about Saturday brunch?

And I actually have been to a wedding reception at Water's Edge. It was very well done and we all had a fantastic time.

Denae

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I think brunch would be nice. Personally, I wouldn't be doing much drinking at a brunch. Too early in the day.

Also, on a Sunday it would conflict with church services for me. Are you doing the vow renewal in a religious setting? Could it be a Saturday morning? Or isn't religion an issue. (Just asking, not judging.)

 

[Pumbaa_]

11am should not interfere with many church services.

Water's edge is just lovely and in a great area too!

 

[Bethy Lou]

We had a Disney wedding at 11:00 so it was a little later than yours but we had a big fancy reception after the wedding at 12. People loved having it earlier because those who wanted to go to a park were still able to do so for the evening for several hours and those who wanted to travel back that day could still do so. To be honest, when we were in the ballroom you could not tell what time it was! We just had a good time!

 

[okeydokey]

I think both a cocktail reception and a brunch would be nice. I would however not pick Sunday morning, because of church.

 

[cabanafrau]

We've actually attended a nice one several years back (in Michigan). The couple & their families decided it needed to be early in the day due to the groom's mother being in the early stages of Alzheimer's & having some sundowning issues later in the day. This way she was able to attend & enjoy at her peak.

I have to agree, avoid the church time frame.

 

[MareQ]

I'd stick with the Sunday morning thing. I cannot imagine church going folks having a problem with going to a different service or skipping all together for a vow ceremony and reception.

I also would avoid having an open bar and would just offer Mimosas or something like that along with juice, soda, coffee and tea etc.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I love the idea of the brunch reception. I agree with others who say to move it to Saturday if a lot of your guests are church goers. Also, instead of an open bar or cocktail hour, I would offer coffee, tea, non-alcoholic punch, mimosas/champagne, and bloody Mary's. They seem more appropriate for a brunch than beer or hard liquor

 

[Bethy Lou]

I love the idea of the brunch reception. I agree with others who say to move it to Saturday if a lot of your guests are church goers. Also, instead of an open bar or cocktail hour, I would offer coffee, tea, non-alcoholic punch, mimosas/champagne, and bloody Mary's. They seem more appropriate for a brunch than beer or hard liquor

We had the bartender make pineapple juice and coconut rum drinks which are my favorite. They are also pretty light like mimosas and since I do not do orange juice I preferred them personally! We did have mimosas also with champagne.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think outside of the church issue, anything you choose for your budget would be fantastic for those that love and cherish you and your new husband. (From what I remember, you got hitched fast due to the war, right?)

I wish you the best of happiness in planning your bigger wedding!

I like the brunch idea either Sunday or Saturday (maybe her family/friends go to church on a day other than Sunday...). I certainly would not expect an open bar, as in our area, both open and cahs bars are the norm.

 

[Handbag Lady]

and I do love having a theme drink...it cuts down on costs!

Bloody Marys are great for brunches. As is a a champagne cocktail or a Bellini.

 

[vettechick99]

Sunday morning in my small town would mean we'd get about 2 other couples. Everyone else would be at church.

I would love a Saturday morning brunch wedding and reception. We almost did one before we eloped.

Just be sure you have Bloody Marys and Mimosas! Can't have a wedding without booze, ya know.

 

[kidzmom3]

we would be unable to attend an early morning Sunday wedding. We are obligated until about 2pm every Sunday with church events. Going to another church would not be an option for us.

 

[Stephanie218]

Thank you for all the opinions so far! We had planned on just doing one or two champagne drinks, as it would be early...but my dad was really pushing the open bar. I just don't know who would want too many drinks with hard alcohol at noon?

Regarding church, I had honestly just thought everyone could miss a week. My family is very religious - my mom's in seminary right now, but she had no problems with a Sunday morning reception. A lot of the locations even offer a "Sunday morning brunch" special. It's really interesting to get the other opinions regarding church though - I'll have to check with my mom and see how many people she thinks that would affect.

Glad to hear everyone liked the Water's Edge too - brunch is still pricey at $108 a person, but that includes a 3 hour open bar...I need to call and get a revised price quote without that.

 

[Nennie]

I had a friend who got married on a Saturday morning in Cape May, and then had a brunch reception afterwards. It was very nice! They had omelettes, crepes, french toast, etc, and of course wedding cake. I didn't go to the bar, but I saw people with bloody mary's and mimosas.

She and her DH paid for the wedding themselves, and it was a great way for them to be able to afford to still have a large group, and not spend too much money!

 

[kpm76]

I would love a Sunday morning brunch! We're Catholic so we could just go to Mass on Sat night but not all services are flexible...you know your guests and what they practice or don't practice so go with what you think would work for most. As for alcohol, I love the idea of a few themed drinks....it's a Sunday morning, no need to over do it but again depending on your guests, they might be put off if there is no open bar....parts of CT, NY and NJ tend to expect open bar...not sure if time of day makes a difference though....we had this issue with our wedding.....would not influence my decision if I were you but just thought I would throw it out there...congrats

 

[Pigeon]

I think the brunch idea is lovely, and it's a rational way to not spend a fortune, but still have a nice event. Some people may be tied up on Sunday morning, but some people may not be available on Saturday night. I wouldn't worry about that at all.

I don't drink, but most people I know wouldn't want or need an open bar that early in the day.

 

[zulaya]

I had a 10am Nuptial Mass followed by a brunch reception on a Saturday morning. I think my guests were all pleased to be done with wedding activities by 2:30pm and had the rest of the day to do whatever they wanted.

Do whatever you and your DH are happy with! Don't let anyone tell you that you *have* to have an evening reception with an open bar so people can get liquored up.

A brunch reception can be very tasteful and elegant in its own way.

 

[Bethy Lou]

We had an open bar at our noon reception because my mom pushed for it! Surprisingly enough there were enough people at the bar ordering liquor and beer for it to have been warranted. Like i said before, once you are in the ballroom you do not think what time it is and you just have a good time. Looking back I am glad we did an open bar, it may seem unconventional to some, and there were people that did not go to the bar once, but it was appreciated and frequented.