Morning wedding with brunch?

[pigletgirl]

Background story: My BFF from Kindergarten just got engaged three weeks ago! She and I have spent the day doing prelimonary wedding plans. I will be her matron of honor, as she was my maid of honor in mine.

We have decided that we want the wedding next June, either the 22 or 29th. The two venues she's seriously considering have booked for the evening time slot, but they have a time either at 1p or 11a. We left and the idea of a brunch as a reception sounds more appealing.

Has anyone done one? Were the guests receptive to it?
My wedding was afternoon/evening, so this is new to me.

Thanks!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My wedding was at 11:00 a.m. By the time we took pictures, drove to the restaurant, got everyone settled and had the toast, it was after 1:00 p.m. - just in time for lunch. We had a full buffet lunch with chicken, pasta and tons of side dishes. I think we left the reception by around 4:30 - 5:00, which left us plenty of time to drive the 50 miles to our hotel for the night, check in, change clothes, have a leisurely dinner, and study some travel brochures before flying out for our honeymoon the next morning.

I really liked having the ceremony early in the day. It also allowed many of our out-of-town guests (those who lived about 2 hours away) to drive home at a reasonable hour, rather than having to spend the night.

 

[LuLuO]

My BIL and his fiance are having a morning wedding. I think the short ceremony is going to be at 9:30 followed immediately by a brunch reception. As far as I know the bride plans to be home around lunch time. The only one I've heard complain is my MIL. She claims her face will still be too puffy to take photos before the ceremony. I think it will be lovely. The morning light is usually so pretty for photos.

 

[Pixiedust34]

My friend from high school had a morning wedding with a brunch. It was 20 years ago so I don't remember the nitty gritty details, but it was a nice meal and reception.

 

[Katy Belle]

One of my friends daughters got married a month ago in a morning ceremony. After the ceremony, while they took pictures, the guests had mimosas, quick breads/muffins, fruit, cheese. Then the wedding party came and lunch was served, chicken crepes and salads, followed by wedding cake. I wasnt there, but it sounds lovely to me!

 

[pantherlj]

I had a morning wedding 20 years ago and it was very nice! The food was great, we danced, had mimosas, cake. It won't have the "party" atmosphere that an evening wedding can have but that was fine with us. Everyone we invited came, even those that had to drive 2 hours in the morning to get there. No regrets from me. My dad was happy because it was much less expensive

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd love a brunch reception, but I love brunch! I actually had a cocktail reception (heavy passed apps, carving/pasta stations) because that's my favorite part of the reception (I always hate when the DJ plays lame music because dinner is served).

I'd go with the 1:00 slot, giving people time to drive to the ceremony, time for pictures after, etc.

 

[Mermaid02]

We did this in 1996. Wedding at 10:00 and VERY SHORT! We were at the reception venue by 11:00. The food was great- my father in law LOVED getting up and having the wedding in the morning rather than hang around all day waiting! Brownie points for the new daughter in law!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

It sounds lovely! Brunch is my favorite meal to eat out.

 

[ohiomom28]

I love this idea!!
Wish I would have thought of it!

 

[charming23]

A friend of mine did this a few years ago and it was lovely. The wedding was at 10am and we were in the reception room by 11am. They did a brunch buffet and had mimosas. They also still did a wedding cake.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Um, I know it's the bride's day, and it's great that this is what the bride-to-be and matron of honor have decided... but, um, has anybody asked the fiancé how he feels?

 

[Navychica]

My wedding was at 10 AM, with a brunch afterwards. My husband and I loved it. I'm not into the whole princess wedding thing, where it's an incredibly stressful event. (The brunch was a buffet, along with an eggs station, and at one point there was a mix-up in the kitchen and they sent out a tray of hamburger patties, instead of sausages. No one noticed until they started eating them!)

Because the wedding was early, it felt very relaxed. It was definitely cheaper than an evening wedding too!

 

[Swan4Me]

30 years ago when i got married-morning or noon weddings were all that went on-you still had a nice long reception & could drive or fly to your honemoon that day.We had champagne and beer-so it wasnt hard liquor and partying all nite like nowadays

 

[anniemae]

I had a morning wedding. I think it was at 10:00. It was lovely. After the ceremony, we did pictures while the guests were moved into the lounge area for mimosa's, bloody mary's and appetizers.

Then we had a big brunch buffet. It was really good, all the guests raved about the food. We had tons of food, we splurged since there was no band or dancing or anything like that. We had a belgiun waffle station, and I think an omelet station too. We also had a sting quartet playing in the background. THe guests all loved it and it was nice since it didn't take up the whole day. That night some of our friends had "after parties" and we made the rounds. It was a fun day.

 

[storabelle]

I had a morning wedding as well! It was perfect for us because of family that needed to travel home after the festivities, and also for co-workers on the 3-11 shift!

 

[scrapquitler]

Background story: My BFF from Kindergarten just got engaged three weeks ago! She and I have spent the day doing prelimonary wedding plans. I will be her matron of honor, as she was my maid of honor in mine.

We have decided that we want the wedding next June, either the 22 or 29th. The two venues she's seriously considering have booked for the evening time slot, but they have a time either at 1p or 11a. We left and the idea of a brunch as a reception sounds more appealing. The biggest issue you might find is feeling rushed to get OUT of the venue at the end of the reception because they will be in a hurry to start setting up for the event int he evening.

Has anyone done one? Were the guests receptive to it?
My wedding was afternoon/evening, so this is new to me.

Thanks!

A lot of weddings around here have morning ceremonies (esp. in the Catholic churches 9:30, 10:30 ceremony very common - the church wants everyone out before church services on Saturday aternoon, and they won't generally do Saturday night ceremonies). It's not at all unusual for the reception venues to book a reception starting at 11, noon or 1. Even if they reception starts at 11, lunch won't generally be served until after noon, so you could do either lunch or a brunch.

Is it unusual in your area? around here, no one would think anything of it.

 

[NotUrsula]

... [snipped]...
That night some of our friends had "after parties" and we made the rounds. It was a fun day.

And this is the key issue that should be taken into consideration; if young adult guests will be traveling to come to the wedding; don't leave them at loose ends on Saturday evening.

My college roommate had a Saturday morning wedding with a lunch reception; it was very nice. However, the groom was in the Navy, and a large number of guys from his ship (and in some cases, their wives) had made the trek halfway across the US to her home town for the wedding; as the reception wound down it became obvious that they expected to be entertained that evening. The bridal couple headed out of town by 2 pm. No evening arrangements had been made, and those of us who served in the wedding ended up scrambling and driving the Navy contingent to the nearest large city to go out for the evening; it was 8 carloads of people. We didn't pay for their meals or drinks, but we drove them, paid for parking, and stayed to act as dinner companions for the ones who were single.

Essentially, if younger, childless people travel to get to your wedding (far enough to require a hotel stay for the weekend), be aware that they may expect arranged entertainment (or at least a list of suggestions and directions) on Saturday evening, especially if the location is not in a resort or large city that has a lot of easily found nightlife.) Older people won't usually expect this, but singles and young marrieds normally will. If it is a party of some kind, make sure to introduce them to whoever will be hosting that event if the bridal couple will be gone before it takes place. (It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just as long as it's fun and doesn't require a lot of effort on the guest's part.)

 

[pooh4evr]

my cousin has a 9am wedding at a winery about an hour outside of town this summer-- as a guest i am not looking forward to it. I am sure it will be beautiful, and a nice setting and cooler in the morning than St Louis on a mid summer afternoon ...but like the pp said, there are no hotels near the venue, no kids allowed (who wants to babysit at 7am) and i am lazy and dont want to get up at 5 on a saturday -- here anyway most weddings are around 2 in the afternoon, with receptions starting about 5 and partying till the break of dawn! (well really about 11or 12)

 

[shortbun]

Brunch sounds lovely. Just be careful about travel time for your out of town guests. I would hate getting up at 5am to get ready and drive to a 10am wedding. Maybe look for a block of rooms for those people just in case. When you send the 'save the date', you could mention the block of rooms for the night before a morning wedding. Hire a babysitter for family children if you're not inviting children.