In Praise of the Brunch Wedding
By Glynis Keith, Senior Event Manager, Catering by Seasons (@catergrrrl)
From Google Search Trends to Pinterest Posts, it’s clear that interest in brunch weddings is on the rise, with metro areas like New York, DC, Philadelphia and Chicago leading the way. Brunch Weddings are making a comeback and I, for one, couldn’t be happier!
There are lots of reasons millennial couples are opting for a late morning/early afternoon celebration…. some economical and some practical, but sometimes it’s just about personal style and taste. “Casual”, “Relaxed”, “Warm”, “Fun”, “DONUTS!” are the words I hear most often when couples describe why they’ve made the choice to host a brunch wedding. Here are CaterGrrrl’s Top Reasons (in no particular order) to consider a Brunch Wedding…………..
The Bloody Mary Bar
The official brunch cocktail will get the party started especially when you turn it into an interactive station and allow your guests to create their favorite combinations. The well-stocked Bloody Mary Bar will include the standards like celery and carrot sticks, olives, Cornichons, Worcestershire and Tabasco. But you’ll create a buzz (no pun intended) when your toppings bar includes candied bacon, spiced shrimp, pickled vegetables (I like French Green Beans), cubes of your favorite cheese, pepperoncini and smoked oysters.
Your Budget will Stretch a LOT Farther
Wedding vendors charge a premium for Saturday night weddings and receptions. Many top wedding professionals and venues have their Saturdays booked two or more years in advance. But, let them know you’re considering a Saturday or Sunday morning and they’ll roll out the red carpet for you!
Beatriz Engel, Director of Events at the Woodend Sanctuary and Mansion in Chevy Chase, MD says, “A brunch wedding at Woodend allows the couple and their guests to enjoy the beauty of our 40-acre nature sanctuary with its lush green meadows and forests and save quite a bit of money on the venue rental fee. And, think of all the daylight hours for photos!”
The Barista
Take some of the money you saved by opting for a daytime wedding and splurge on an Espresso and Cappucino Bar. Any of your guests who grumpily complain they’re “not morning people” may have a change of heart when greeted by a smiling barista ready to take their order for a double shot espresso or a hot, foamy latte.
You’ll Stand Out From The Crowd
It’s wedding season and your calendar is filled with Invitations requesting your presence most every Saturday night from April thru June. Want your wedding to be memorable? Brunch Weddings are a welcome change from the same old same old. If brunch is your favorite meal of the day (and seriously, how can it not be?), or if you fell in love over Brioche French Toast at your neighborhood’s hot brunch spot or you just love lazy weekend mornings, then a Brunch Wedding could be the perfect choice to reflect your style and taste as a couple.
DMV Wedding Planner, Ari Jones from ARJ Productions, adds “More and more couples are looking outside the traditional box when planning their weddings. They want a celebration that feels authentic to who they are as a couple and at the same time they want to create a unique experience for their family and friends. Brunch weddings fits the bill for so many couples!”
Have I Mentioned Bloody Marys……
The Toast
Good news if you love bubbles! Many couples are ditching the traditional Champagne Toast in favor of drink-in-hand for their Saturday night celebrations, BUT Champagne Toasts are always in style at Brunch Weddings. Create a custom Mimosa Bar with Peach, Pear or Passion Fruit Puree along with OJ for the purists and let your guests raise a glass or two or three to the happy couple!
You’ll Have More Time to Spend with Friends and Family
Instead of losing a whole day to primping and prepping, a late morning brunch wedding makes the most of your weekend with your loved ones. Imagine this… you wake up, get married, celebrate and then celebrate all over again in the evening with anything from an epic dance party to a casual backyard barbecue.
Two Words… Waffle Cake
No explanation needed.
Lawn Games
Instead of just letting loose on the dance floor, your guests can show off their moves at Corn Hole or Giant Jenga. Or, they can collaborate on a themed crossword puzzle where all the clues are references to the wedding couple. Either way, you’ll be giving your guests something to talk about long after the wedding
I could probably think of another 10 reasons to consider a brunch wedding and no doubt, you’ll have a few of your own. But, it’s 11 o’clock somewhere and there’s a Bloody Mary calling my name……
Reviews
Catering By Seasons exceeded my expectation. I used them for a brunch at my house after my son’s bar mitzvah. The level of professionalism along with their responsiveness made me feel at ease right away.
Everything about working with Catering by Seasons, from the planning, communication, to the execution was phenomenal!
I can’t say enough great things about our entire experience planning our daughter's Bat Mitzvah with Glynis Keith, Catering Manager, with Catering by Seasons.