I have blogged about having a brunch for your reception before, but it is a great idea for an early or afternoon reception. You can have the ceremony before or after and there are so many cool items that can be incorporated into the reception. Some great new trends for weddings are the New Orleans Style Jazz Brunch complete with piano player or small trio, a Cajun/Creole inspired menu, and lots of French Quarter style. The Derby Brunch is gaining popularity for early May brides complete with lots of red roses, julep cups, and a Kentucky style menu.

Here are some great reasons for considering brunch for your reception plans:

Due to the low demand for brunch celebrations, many reception sites such as banquet halls, country clubs, and hotels, rent their space for a lower fee earlier in the day. Some even offer the space for free, charging only for on-site catering. The lack of demand for a brunch reception certainly gives the bride and groom more bargaining power. For the couple planning a smaller, more personal affair, the church or chapel where the wedding is held may have a fellowship hall that would be the perfect setting for coffee and rolls. If your heart is set on a favorite restaurant, there may be limited seating capacity for a Saturday brunch. However, if you are able to book well enough in advance, your meal cost per person will most likely be less than a typical evening meal.

Morning celebrations naturally bring to mind lighter or brighter colors than a black-tie evening affair. Allow the season to inspire your decorations. Pastels are a natural choice for spring, and tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils are readily available for table centerpieces. In the summer, consider sunflowers over the traditional roses. Fall harvest inspires cornucopia displays of mini pumpkins and festive fruits and vegetables, while poinsettias and evergreens can brighten a cold winter morning affair.

A brunch wedding reception is a fabulous idea. You can get married, have the reception and then relax for the afternoon with your new spouse before having a party in the evening. Good choice!

Here are some of my menu favorites for the perfect brunch menu-

Cocktails- Bellini  with fresh peach juice, Spicy Bloody Mary’s, Grapefruit Greyhounds, & Kiwi Mango Mint Vodka Martini

House Smoked Salmon

Roast Pork Loin with tangerine chutney and yeast rolls

Eggs Benedict

Tahitian Vanilla Bean Waffles with whipped cream and berries

Sundried Tomato & Spinach Quiche

Salads- Orzo & Wild Rice with cranberries, Tuscan pasta salad, Caesar Salad, & fruit salad with honey dressing

Assortment of French pastries & mini yogurt parfaits

Herb Roasted Potatoes with Bearnaise

Import Cheese Display with Artisanal Breads